Week 1 – Set Free to Live Free

Galatians 1:1–10

In Galatians 1:1–10, Paul begins his letter by reminding the churches of Galatia that the gospel he preached did not originate with man, but with Jesus Christ Himself. God had rescued His people through the death and resurrection of Christ, setting them free from sin and from the present evil age.

Yet shortly after receiving the gospel, the Galatians were turning away from Christ and embracing a distorted message. False teachers had convinced them that faith in Jesus was not enough—that obedience to the law must be added to the finished work of Christ.

Paul responds with astonishment and urgency. There is not another gospel. Salvation is found in Christ alone.

This passage ultimately points us to Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has set us free. We are not set free from obedience, but set free to obey—not in order to be accepted by God, but because we have already been accepted through faith in Christ.

1. The Gospel Comes From God, Not Man

Paul begins by defending his apostleship and reminding the Galatians that the gospel he proclaimed was not invented by men. The risen Christ Himself called Paul and commissioned him to preach the good news.

The gospel is God's message, not man's message.

Questions:

  • Why is it important that the gospel originates with God and not human wisdom?

  • How does Paul's conversion in Acts 9 demonstrate the grace and power of God?

  • Why do people often prefer a religion they can control rather than a gospel they must receive?

  • How does remembering God's grace toward Paul encourage us in our own walk with Christ?

2. Christ Has Set Us Free

Paul reminds the Galatians that Jesus gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age.

Through Christ, believers have been set free. But Christian freedom is not freedom from obedience—it is freedom to obey.

We obey because we are already accepted by God, not in order to earn His acceptance.

Questions:

  • What kinds of slavery does Christ free His people from?

  • Why is there a difference between obeying to be accepted and obeying because we are accepted?

  • How can religious performance become a form of bondage?

  • In what ways have you experienced the freedom that comes through the gospel?

3. Adding to the Gospel Leads Us Away from Christ

Paul is astonished that the Galatians are turning away from Christ so quickly. To add anything to Jesus as the basis of salvation is to abandon the gospel itself.

Jesus plus anything is no longer the gospel.

Faith plus works, Jesus plus morality, Jesus plus tradition, or Jesus plus personal achievement all distort the good news.

Questions:

  • Why do you think people are naturally drawn toward adding something to the gospel?

  • What are some modern examples of "Jesus plus ______"?

  • Why is Paul so strong in his response to false teaching?

  • How can we guard our hearts from drifting away from the simplicity of Christ?

4. The Gospel Calls Us to Live for God's Approval, Not Man's

Paul concludes by asking whether he seeks the approval of man or the approval of God. A servant of Christ cannot make pleasing people the ultimate goal.

The gospel frees us from living for the acceptance and approval of others.

Because we belong to Christ, we are free to live for Him.

Questions:

  • Why is it so easy to seek the approval of people?

  • How can the fear of man distort our faith and obedience?

  • What would change in your life if pleasing Christ became your highest priority?

  • Is there an area of your life where you need to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given you?