The church Jesus is building is founded on his gospel—nothing more, nothing less. In the letter to the Galatians, Paul the Apostle passionately defends the gospel against distortion and reminds us that only faith in Christ brings freedom and unity.
Galatians is often seen as a theological argument, but it’s more than that—it’s a battle for the very foundation of the church. This series will walk through Galatians, showing how the gospel not only saves us but also builds a Spirit-filled, grace-shaped church that is set free to reflect Jesus to the world.
You’ll find the reading plan and group discussion guide below, or here as a PDF.
June 1 – No other gospel
From the very start, Paul makes it clear: there is only one true gospel, and anything else is a dangerous distortion. The church Jesus is building must stand firm on his grace, not on human effort or religious traditions. In a world filled with competing voices, how do we recognise and hold fast to the real gospel?
Reading plan
M – Galatians 1:1-10 (Paul’s warning about false gospels)
T – Galatians 1:11-17 (Paul’s gospel came from Christ, not people)
W – Galatians 1:18-24 (Paul’s transformation and calling)
T – Acts 9:1-22 (Paul’s conversion story for context)
F – 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 (The danger of false apostles and deception)
Group discussion questions
Galatians 1:1-24
- What does Paul mean when he says there is “no other gospel”?
- What are some modern examples of “another gospel” that we might encounter?
- How can we recognise when we are adding human effort or religious traditions to grace?
- How did Paul’s personal transformation (Gal. 1:13-24) demonstrate the power of the true gospel?
- How can we help each other stand firm in grace when we feel tempted to rely on works?
- What is one practical step you can take this week to hold fast to the real gospel?
June 8 – Grace over performance
Even the early church struggled with adding rules to the gospel. Paul confronts Peter for backing away from grace, reminding us that we are justified by faith, not by what we do. If the church is built on grace, why do we so often drift toward performance-based faith?
Reading plan
M – Galatians 2:1-10 (Paul’s gospel affirmed by the apostles)
T – Galatians 2:11-14 (Paul confronts Peter over hypocrisy)
W – Galatians 2:15-16 (Justified by faith, not by the law)
T – Galatians 2:17-21 (Crucified with Christ, living by faith)
F – Romans 3:21-31 (Faith, not works, makes us right with God)
Group discussion questions
Galatians 2:1-21
- Why did Paul confront Peter, and what does this teach us about standing for grace?
- What are some ways we might “back away” from grace today?
- Why do we find performance-based faith so appealing, even though it contradicts the gospel?
- How does grace challenge our tendency to judge others or ourselves?
- Have you ever struggled to accept that you are fully accepted by God? What helped you?
- What is one way you can rely on grace, rather than performance, in your faith this week?
June 15 – Faith that frees
Paul takes the Galatians back to Abraham to show that faith—not law—has always been the way to God. The law had a purpose, but now that Christ has come, we are set free to live as children of promise. Are we still holding onto things that Christ has already fulfilled?
Reading plan
M – Galatians 3:1-9 (Faith, not law, brought the Spirit)
T – Galatians 3:10-18 (Christ redeems us from the law’s curse)
W – Galatians 3:19-25 (The purpose and limits of the law)
T – Galatians 3:26-29 (All are one in Christ)
F – Genesis 15:1-6 (God’s promise to Abraham through faith)
Group discussion questions
Galatians 3:1-29
- How does Abraham’s example help us understand faith in Christ?
- What was the purpose of the law, and why is it no longer the basis of our relationship with God?
- What are some “laws” or religious expectations we sometimes cling to unnecessarily?
- What does it mean to live as a child of promise rather than under the law?
- What is the difference between trusting in Christ’s work and trusting in our own?
- What might be holding you back from fully embracing the freedom of faith?
June 22 – Kids aren’t slaves
A church built on grace is a family, not a religious system. Paul contrasts slavery and sonship, urging the Galatians to live in the freedom Christ has given them. Do we relate to God as sons and daughters, or do we still act like slaves trying to earn his favour?
Reading plan
M – Galatians 4:1-7 (Adopted as God’s children, not slaves)
T – Galatians 4:8-20 (Paul’s plea to not return to slavery)
W – Galatians 4:21-27 (The allegory of Hagar and Sarah)
T – Galatians 4:28-31 (We are children of the free woman)
F – Romans 8:12-17 (Living as God’s children, led by the Spirit)
Group discussion questions
Galatians 4:1-31
- What does it mean that we are “no longer slaves, but God’s children” (Gal. 4:7)?
- Why do people sometimes return to religious rules even after experiencing grace?
- What does the story of Hagar and Sarah teach us about grace vs. law?
- How can we cultivate a church culture where people live as beloved children, not fearful slaves?
- Do you ever feel like you have to earn God’s favour? Why or why not?
- What’s one way you can remind yourself this week that you are fully loved and accepted by God?
June 29 – Walking in freedom
Freedom in Christ is not a license to sin—it’s an invitation to live by the Spirit. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, showing us what it means to walk in step with God. How do we let the Spirit shape our daily lives and our church?
Reading plan
M – Galatians 5:1-6 (Freedom in Christ, not legalism)
T – Galatians 5:7-12 (A warning against false teachers)
W – Galatians 5:13-18 (Freedom to love, not indulge the flesh)
T – Galatians 5:19-21 (The works of the flesh)
F – Galatians 5:22-26 (The fruit of the Spirit)
Group discussion questions
Galatians 5:1-26
- Why is freedom in Christ not a license to sin?
- How does legalism threaten our freedom in Christ?
- How does walking in the Spirit help us resist the desires of the flesh?
- How does cultivating the fruit of the Spirit transform a church?
- What does it look like to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25) in our daily lives?
- What’s one specific fruit of the Spirit you want to grow in this week?
July 6 – Sowing seeds for the future
Paul’s final challenge is to live out the gospel in community—to carry each other’s burdens, invest in what lasts, and keep our eyes on the cross. The seeds we plant today will shape the church of tomorrow. What kind of church are we building with our lives?
Reading plan
M – Galatians 6:1-5 (Carrying each other’s burdens)
T – Galatians 6:6-10 (Sowing to the Spirit, reaping eternal life)
W – Galatians 6:11-15 (Boasting only in the cross)
T – Galatians 6:16-18 (Paul’s final blessing and marks of Christ)
F – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (A new creation in Christ)
Group discussion questions
Galatians 6:1-18
- How do we balance helping others with taking personal responsibility (Gal. 6:5)?
- What does Paul mean by “sowing to the flesh vs. sowing to the Spirit” (Gal. 6:7-8)?
- What kind of seeds are you planting in your life and relationships?
- Paul says not to grow weary in doing good (Gal. 6:9). What are some ways we can stay encouraged?
- Where do you see opportunities to invest in the spiritual growth of others?
- What’s one action step you can take this week to sow to the Spirit and build up the church?
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