Day 5

Lisa Sheffler, author

Happy Friday!

Let’s take some time reflect on what we’re learning here in Galatians, spend some time with the Father as we rejoice in the work of the Son, and ask the Spirit to guide us according the Word.

Reflect

Take the mid-letter challenge. Go back and read Galatians 1:1–4:7 if you haven’t already done so this week. Can you trace the flow of Paul’s argument? Can you feel his sense of urgency?

Take another look at Galatians 4:8–20.

What are Paul’s main points in this passage? What emotions do you detect behind his words? Why do you think persuading the Galatians is so important to Paul?
What has stayed with you personally as you’ve studied this passage?

Connect

Paul loved the Galatian Christians. He brought them the gospel and taught them what it meant to follow Jesus. He lived with them for a time and got to know them as his brothers and sisters in Christ. In his letter, we see how concerned he was for them — concerned they had been persuaded to go the wrong way.

Because Jesus was given all authority in heaven and earth, he commissioned his followers, including us, to go and make disciples — teaching them to obey what Jesus commanded. In Colossians, Paul tells us to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (3:16). In Hebrews, we’re called to “spur each other on in love and good deeds” (10:24). In the family of God, we are called to help one another grow in spiritual maturity — grow to be more like Jesus.

This means sometimes meaningful conversations are difficult conversations. Sometimes we have to sit across from someone and tell them with tears in our eyes and love in our hearts that we see them moving in a direction that will lead them away from God. Whether we believe they are wrong in the way they’re thinking, or wrong in the way they’re living, those conversations are not about proving ourselves right. We’re to humbly tell the truth as best we understand it. We don’t want to be judgmental or “holier than thou,” but speak as those who know they are saved by grace, and who strive to love people the way Jesus does.

Of course, these conversations take wisdom and Spirit-led discernment, and must be bathed in prayer. Timing and tactics matter. Paul’s approach may not be the right one. But we can let his motive be ours — love of God and love of people.

Respond

Slow down, pray over these prompts, and ask the Spirit to direct you.

Ask the Father:

What do you want me to take away from what I’ve studied this week? What do you want me to remember and keep present with me?
What do you want me to do with the truth of your Word? What is the one, next, right step that you want me to take?
What are you teaching me about you? About who you are and the relationship I have with you? How can I worship and love you based on what you’ve revealed?

Pray for the opportunity for meaningful conversations— to share the good news of what Jesus has done for us!

Coming up next week…

Paul is going to take us back to the Old Testament once again to help us see the beauty of the gospel he is proclaiming.