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Galatians 1, Day 7

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

Read

Review Galatians 1

Just as grace changed Paul’s life, it changes your life. Through grace and by grace, you are changed.

Reflect

What is your grace story?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Craft your grace story. Consider the following:

1) Prevenient grace: How was God working in your life before you were aware of God’s love for you?

2) Justifying grace: Where did you encounter Christ for the first time? How did Christ transform you?

3) Sanctifying grace: How are you continuing to grow to be more perfectin love? Consider the challenges, opportunities, and growth you’ve experienced. Consider the moments that moved you to a new place: change of occupation/work, moving, family structure, birth, death, illness, recovery, service opportunities, leadership roles, missions experiences, etc. God is not finished with you yet. Are you going to be made perfect in this life? Yes, John Wesley, we know the answer should be yes. For most of us, Christian perfection is a lifelong journey.

Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me as I am, inviting me on this journey of grace, and helping me to become more like you. Thank you for challenging me to be a person who not only knows about grace, but embodies grace to the people I encounter. May it be so today and always, Amen.

Celebrate

In the evening, reflect on the following: What response did you receive today from your actions? Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below.

 

 

Grace Story Transforming Mission

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Galatians 1, Day 6

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

Read

Galatians 1:18-24

Paul’s independence was creating trouble. However, it was precisely because of Paul’s witness that the Galatians encountered God’s love.

Reflect

As you follow Jesus, how are your actions in alignment with the gospel? The historic faith? The denomination? Who are you sharing the love of Christ with? How is your life and their life being changed as a result? Where does the church need to create room for independence? For convergence?

Respond

Follow Jesus

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We know that as Newton’s Third Law of Motion. Pay attention to your actions today. Notice the response your actions receive.

Pray

Only because of you, Lord Jesus, can I proclaim your glory and goodness. Only because of you, Lord, can I encounter life-changing faith. Guide me to be a person of integrity and grace. Amen.

Celebrate

In the evening, reflect on the following: What response did you receive today from your actions? Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below.

 

Galatians Bible Study Question Transforming Mission

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Galatians 1, Day 5

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

Read

Galatians 1:15-17

The revealed Son of God came to Paul, an ultra-Orthodox Jew, so he could tell people in pagan nations about Jesus Christ. Way to go, God! Will you surprise us again with your transforming love?

Reflect

Transformation is God’s doing. What three words describe how Jesus has transformed your life? What does wrestling with God and God’s will look like for you?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Be intentional today with your words, actions, and attitude. Pay attention to when it is easy and when it is difficult to embody love for others.

Pray

Surprise me again, Jesus, surprise me again! Change the cold places of my heart into an inviting vessel to encounter your love. Surprise me today with your goodness and grace. Then help me to respond with love. Amen.

Celebrate

In the evening, reflect on the following: Where or how did you see God’s love embodied today? Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments.

Seeing Grace Image Transforming Mission

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Galatians 1, Day 4

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

Read

Galatians 1:13-14

Paul is teaching through his own autobiography. He encountered the transforming love of God in Jesus Christ. This transformation did not come by the Law, but directly from Christ.

Reflect

The transformation Paul experienced set him apart as a new person. It didn’t put his Jewish brothers and sisters in jeopardy, it set him apart. What sets you apart as a follower of Jesus Christ? As Paul continues to write to the Galatians, we’ll soon see that
the traditions of Judaism that are causing controversy include circumcision, dietary laws, sabbath observances, and the system of sacrificial feasts.

Respond

Follow Jesus

Today, do something that sets you apart as a follower of Jesus Christ. Love, give, share out of response to Christ’s love for you. Do so without expectation that it is returned.

Pray

Jesus, you meet me where I am and love me for who I am. Confront me with your life-transforming grace. Make me a new creation in Christ. All for your glory, Amen.

Celebrate

In the evening, reflect on the following: What did you do today that set you apart as a follower of Jesus? How did it set you apart? Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below.

Grace prayer Transforming Mission

Extra Thoughts

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Galatians 1, Day 3

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

Read

Galatians 1:10-12

Paul was speaking against people who are compromising the heart of the gospel. If the gospel comes from God as grace, we are wise to remember that same grace is embodied in the outstretched arms and self-giving love of Jesus on the cross.

Reflect

Richard B. Hays writes, “If the church is to bear witness to the gospel with integrity, ‘in this present age’ it must have the courage to make such discernment and to speak prophetically against destructive teachings that deny the grace of God” (NIB, p. 207) What words, actions, and/or intentions deny God’s grace to others? How will you seek to respond to others with grace?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Watch your words, actions and intentions today. Seek to respond to others with grace.

Pray

Lord Jesus, you are the only one I seek. Help me encounter your love and sacrifice in all I say and do today so I may grow in grace and become more like you. Amen.

Celebrate

In the evening, reflect on the following: Where did you encounter grace today? Where did you deny grace today? What will you try to do different in the future (if anything)? Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below.

 

Galatians 1, Day 3 prayer Transforming Mission

Extra Thoughts

Gritty Facts and Gritty Faith

Jim Collins tells the story of Admiral Stockdale in his best-selling book, Good to Great. Admiral Stockdale was a prisoner of war in Vietnam for eight years. When Collins interviewed Admiral Stockdale about who survived and who did not, he said it was often the optimists that didn’t make it.

Admiral Stockdale went on to say, “This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” Collins called this the Stockdale Paradox.

Brene Brown went on to call this principle, gritty facts and gritty faith, inviting leaders to set the expectation for both dreaming big and reality-checking your dreams with the cold hard facts.

Paul seems to wave the banner for gritty facts and gritty faith in the passage you’re reading today. I wonder where you’ve seen gritty facts and gritty faith lived out?

Perhaps it will be you today…especially as you consider the celebration questions for this evening.

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Galatians 1, Day 2

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

Read

Galatians 1:6-9

Paul isn’t asking for allegiance to him. He’s asking for allegiance to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul confronts the Galatians with a strong rebuke, reminding them it is God who calls.

Reflect

Through God’s gracious action, we are called into a covenant relationship. What is God calling you to do, be, and/or become as you reflect the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Respond

Follow Jesus

God’s grace was present before you knew it, met you as you were, and continues to invite you to become the person God intends you to be. Who needs to hear this message today?

Pray

Holy God, you have called me into a relationship with you. You have empowered me in my baptism. You are still acting on my behalf today. Help me to be faithful to the call of following you. Amen.

Celebrate

In the evening, reflect on the following: Who needs to hear the message of God’s grace? Did you or will you share it? Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below.

Who needs to hear a message of God's grace? Transforming Mission

 

Extra Thoughts

You’re on Day 2!

We are grateful for your desire to deepen your relationship with Christ. Know we are holding you in prayer as you begin. If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Galatians 1, Day 1

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

Read

Galatians 1:1-5

Throughout this chapter, we hear Paul’s defense of the gospel. He seeks to prove that the Gospel and his apostleship come directly from Christ. Paul is not an isolated, renegade messenger. Paul is an apostle, a sent one. He is sent by God to share the message of Christ’s love.

Reflect

If grace is the unmerited love of God, it is intended to be shared. Where is God sending you today to share God’s love? What challenges you about grace?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Embrace the love of God as you go about your daily activity.

Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for using me to share your message of grace. Guide me on this journey to continue becoming who you created me to be. Amen.

Celebrate

In the evening, reflect on the following: Where did you experience God’s love today? Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below.

Celebration Question Chapter 1, Day 1 Transforming Mission

 

Extra Thoughts

Today we begin a journey together. We are grateful for your desire to deepen your relationship with Christ. Know we are holding you in prayer as you begin. If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

On occasion throughout the daily reading plan, we’ll offer reflections, stories, and insights to help you engage. Today, we start with “Love Letters”

Love Letters

Today, I’m thinking about the last letter I wrote. The last letter I put in an envelope and placed a stamp in the corner was to a child, Sunday, I support in Africa.

Sunday's prayer Transforming Mission

For over 15 years, I’ve written back and forth to a school-aged girl in a small village in Africa. Sunday is the latest child to bless me. Her faithful words are a reminder of God’s goodness and grace.

When I receive Sunday’s letters, there is always a message that points to God’s love. Her most recent letter was no exception. As she shared about the drought in her community impacting the livestock, she celebrated God’s provision for her family. She celebrated learning in school. She praised God for a growing faith.

Today, though, I’m reflecting on the familiar refrain that begins each letter, “Praise God! I’m doing fine with my family and still in Christ.” I confess, I sometimes wonder, “Are there degrees or different forms of ‘doing fine’?” Nevertheless, wrapped in a standard envelope is a message of God’s love. In short, faithful sentences, Sunday writes love letters for God.

I do not know what the Galatian churches were thinking when they received Paul’s letter. But, two simple words, grace and peace, remind them they are loved by God. While the paper and delivery system have certainly changed, the Galatians also received a letter reminding them of God’s love.

Perhaps there is a letter I’ll write today to someone who needs that reminder. Maybe there’s a letter you can write, too. For now, my love letter comes in the form of a prayer echoing the words of Sunday, “Praise God! I’m doing fine with my family and still in Christ.”

That’s a love letter I’ll celebrate sending and receiving any day of the week!

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Overview

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