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Bible Studies

Beginning the Journey (for new Christians).
en Español
1, 2, and 3 John
1
& 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
1 Peter
2 Peter, Jude
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
7 Last Words of Christ
Abraham
Acts 1-12:
The Early Church
Apostle Paul
Christmas Incarnation
Church
Christ Powered Life (Rom 5-8)
Colossians
Conquering Lamb of Revelation
Daniel
David, Life of
Galatians
Gideon
Grace
Great Prayers
Glorious Kingdom, The
Early Church: Acts1-12
Elijah
Ephesians
Hebrews
Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
Isaiah
James
Jacob
Jesus and the Kingdom
John's Gospel
John's Letters
Joshua
Lamb of God
Listening for God's Voice
Lord's Supper
Luke
Mark
Moses
Names of God
Names of Jesus
Philippians
Psalms
Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
Resurrection
Revelation
Sermon on the Mount
Songs of Ascent
(Ps 120-135)
Christian Art
About Us
Speaking
Contact Us
Dr. Wilson's Books
Donations
Watercolors
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![]() Apostle Paul (494-495 AD), ceiling mosaic, Archiepiscopal Chapel of St. Andrew (oratory), Ravenna, Italy |
It's amazing how many so-called Christians don't really "get it." They think that the basis of Christianity is living a good moral life and doing good works. And "“ so long as you don't mess up your life entirely "“ you'll end up in heaven. And, oh yes, Jesus died for our sins, whatever that means.
Paul's Letter to the Galatians deals with this kind of shallow understanding head-on. He had won the Galatians to Christ on his first missionary journey, we believe, and then taught them more about Christ on his second mission.
But now Paul hears that some Jewish-Christians have come to the churches and begun to convince these Gentile believers that they can't be saved unless they're circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law. What's more, these false teachers have undermined Paul's reputation. His ministry with these churches is in shambles. But what's even worse is that these new Christians are about to go backwards "“ from faith in Christ to faith in law-keeping.
As you study Galatians, you'll begin to understand clearly what the core of the gospel is all about. Galatians, after all, helped Martin Luther come to the conviction that we are saved by faith alone. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, came into spiritual life ("my heart was strangely warmed") as he read Luther's preface to his commentary on Galatians.
Galatians is also known for explaining what must substitute for the law "“ learning to walk by the Spirit.
It is my prayer that as you study this foundational letter, you'll be blessed and encouraged, too. Here's the outline.
- No Other Gospel (1:1-10)
- The Independence of Paul's Gospel (1:11-2:10)
- Justified by Faith in Christ (2:11-21)
- Faith Is the Key, Not Law (3:1-3:25)
- By the Spirit We Cry, 'Abba, Father' (3:26-4:7)
- Freedom from the Law by the Spirit (4:8-5:12)
- The Spirit and the Flesh (5:13-21)
- The Spirit and Character (5:22-26)
- Sowing to the Spirit (6:1-18)
- Chronology of Paul's Ministry as it relates to the Galatians
- Participant lesson handouts can be downloaded and printed for your group or class at no charge.
- Paintings and art regarding the Apostle Paul
- Songs and Hymns from Galatians
- Reprint Guidelines
Here's how we'll study together.
-
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Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help
you understand it better.
- If you sign up for the daily questions version, on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you'll receive a question from that week's lesson to think about and answer. This is designed as a "total immersion" approach to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use these lessons to work real and permanent change in your life. (You can opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking about these passages constantly over these weeks -- long enough for God to work his Word into your life and lifestyle.
- You can respond to the questions and exercises using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
- With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20- to 30-minute audio teaching that sums up the passage you've been studying that week. Some who learn better from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
- Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's lesson.
![]() Available in paperback and e-book formats |
As of January 25, 2012, about 4,562 people had signed up from more than 107 countries around the world.
Sign up now!To sign up, start by clicking on your e-mail frequency preference:
You'll receive your first lesson the Friday after you sign up. There is no cost to participate in the study, though donations are encouraged so we can create more studies and reach more people. We respect your privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves. Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible studies at one time. There's no penalty, but each of them is pretty intensive. If you try to do too many studies at the same time without adequate reflection, you'll miss out on God speaking to you. |
Copyright © 2023, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
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In-depth Bible study books
You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format.
- 28 Advent Scriptures
- 1, 2, and 3 John
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter & Jude
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Abraham, Faith of
- Apostle Paul
- Christ Powered Life (Romans 5-8)
- Christmas Incarnation
- Colossians and Philemon
- Conquering Lamb of Revelation
- Daniel
- David, Life of
- Early Church: Acts 1-12
- Elijah
- Ephesians
- Galatians
- Gideon
- Glorious Kingdom, The
- Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
- Great Prayers of the Bible
- Hebrews
- Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
- Isaiah
- Jacob, Life of
- James
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God
- JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
- John's Gospel
- Joshua
- Lamb of God
- Listening for God's Voice
- Lord's Supper
- Luke's Gospel
- Moses the Reluctant Leader
- Names and Titles of God
- Names and Titles of Jesus
- Philippians
- Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
- Resurrection and Easter Faith
- Sermon on the Mount
- Psalms
- Seven Last Words of Christ
- Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)
- Revelation
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.
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