When Your Way Isn't Working - a Study of GalatiansSample

The apostle Paul was a church-establishing missionary. During his first missionary journey, around A.D. 46-47, Paul planted churches in the region of Galatia (modern-day Turkey), specifically in Antioch of Pisidia, Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe.

But soon after he left, the churches in Galatia were infiltrated by false teachers discrediting Paul’s authority and convincing people to believe in an alternative, false version of the Gospel.

Paul was not happy. He was fired up and ready to defend what he had taught and established, which had been given to him by the risen Christ.

In fact, we'll notice the tone of Galatians is uniquely different from other letters Paul wrote; this time, he's frustrated. To plant these churches, Paul had to endure brutal months of travel, sleepless nights, and beatings at the hands of those who did not welcome him, only to find out just a short time later that these churches were heading in a different direction—opposite of the Gospel. Paul was righteously angry.

How would you feel? You'd done all that work for...nothing?

This letter to the Galatians is written to defend the Gospel truth. This letter is written to defend the message Jesus had sacrificed his life for. This letter had massive implications for the reality that God sent Jesus for all people for all time. This letter is written to warn people: DON’T GO THAT WAY—the way of the false gospel. Instead, choose the way of Jesus. Follow the path of the Gospel.

Like all Scripture, this letter is also written to us—to those who want to follow Jesus. Consider it a warning. Consider it a letter written by a guy who was passionate about defending the truth. Consider it a compass and a guide to keep us heading the way of Jesus.

Bonus:

For background on Paul's first missionary journey, read Acts 13 & 14.

Paul's Life After His Conversion

35-37 AD // Conversion outside of Damascus, visits Arabia, returns to Damascus

38 AD // First visit to Jerusalem

39 AD // Travels to Tarsus and surrounding regions

45 AD // Second visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas to bring aid

46-48 AD // First missionary journey with Barnabas

49 AD // Third visit to Jerusalem, attends the Jerusalem Council, writes the Book of Galatians

49-52 AD // Second missionary journey

53-57 AD // Third missionary journey, visits Ephesus, writes Book of Romans

57-59 AD // Arrest in Jerusalem, trials and imprisonment in Caesarea

60-63 AD // Voyage to Rome, Roman imprisonment

63-67 AD // Released from imprisonment, likely launches fourth missionary journey

67 AD // Imprisoned in Rome again

68 AD // Martyrdom under Nero

*Dates are approximate