Chapter 3 Archives - Transforming Mission

Read

The blessing of God comes as sheer grace to Abraham, to the Galatians, and to us.

Reflect

Paul is reflecting back on Abraham, prior to his circumcision. He links belief with righteousness. Abraham places his trust in God. Abraham’s children are those whose identity is derived from a faith that trusts in God’s promises. How are you trusting God’s promises?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Today, trust Jesus with a task or conversation that you are uncertain about.

Pray

Lord Jesus, I believe! Help my unbelief. Guide my words and actions today to trust you more today than I did yesterday. Amen.

Celebrate

What act of trust (big, little, or in the middle) did you embrace today? Did you dip your toes in the water or jump in?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Listen to Episode 066: Galatians 3

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 3, Day 1

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Read

Galatians 3:1-5

Paul makes a bold statement and follows it with questions, highlighting an encounter with the Holy Spirit. Paul is reminding readers that once we experience the Spirit, there is evidence of a new life in Christ.

Reflect

By water and Spirit, your baptism initiated you into a new community. What might be different if you claimed your baptism is your call to ministry? Remember, the ministry of the ordained is only one form of ministry. We are all called to ministry.

Respond

Follow Jesus

Today, consider the ways you have experienced Jesus’ grace and power. This may come to you in the form of a specific event or season of your life. Consider how baptism by water and the Spirit change how you live your life. Then, consider how Jesus’ grace and power meets you in the midst of this ordinary day. What transformation has occurred as a result of God’s grace and power?

Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, come. Break into my day anew and guide me to become a person of grace, filled with your wisdom and power. All for your fame and glory, Lord, Amen.

Celebrate

What evidence of transformation exists in your life, the local church, and/or your local community?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

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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Chapter 3, Galatians

Galatians 3, Day 7

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Review

Galatians 3

The source of our identity is found in our union with Christ that happens in baptism. One life ended and a new life began.

Reflect

Consider what makes you unique. How have your differing life experiences been a gift to the body of Christ? When have you experienced differences being a source of competition or division? What does this passage help us understand about how our differences can be a gift?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Today, consider what unique gift, experience, perspective, etc. you bring to the Christian community. As a follower of Jesus, how does this attribute or experience come to life for you? Not sure? Ask someone you trust! Yes, YOU are unique. There is only ONE you.

Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of celebrating the unity, identity, and purpose I find in the Christian community. Amen.

Celebrate

What unique gift, experience, perspective, etc. do you bring to the Christian community? Did you have the opportunity to share it today? How?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

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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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Chapter 3, Galatians

Galatians 3, Day 6

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Read

Galatians 3:25-29

Baptized followers of Jesus are cleansed, clothed and made one with Christ. Through baptism, followers of Jesus are united with Christ and heirs to God’s promise.

Reflect

To what extent is your identity grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ (the life, death and resurrection of Jesus)?

Respond

Follow Jesus

As you prepare for the day, ask yourself, “What am I “wearing” today that shows the love of Christ to others and reminds me I am a child of God, united with Christ?”

Pray

Holy God, thank you for clothing me with Christ and bringing me into the fellowship of the Christian community. I stand amazed at your ability to unite what this world seeks to divide. Thank you for including me in your mission, Lord! Amen.

Celebrate

What confirmation did you receive today that you were clothed with Christ or one with Christ? Where did you miss the opportunity to live into being one with Christ?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Listen to LeaderCast Episode 066: Galatians 3

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.

Receive the Reading Plan by Email

Chapter 3, Galatians

Galatians 3, Day 4

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Read

Galatians 3:15-18

Paul offers a new argument for those seeking to sway the Galatians. He compares God’s covenantal promise spoken to Abraham to a human “last will and testament” that can’t be annulled by a third party. Note: this argument had a limited, temporary purpose for Paul.

Reflect

God acts freely to give grace and blessing through promise, not through the Law. God’s freely promised grace is hindered when the Law comes between people. Where have rules divided instead of unified people?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Notice where rules are helpful today and where they inhibit actions, conversation, and even connection between people. Consider personal, congregational, community, and/or global examples.

Pray

Lord Jesus, I am grateful you are the heir to the promised inheritance. Time and history offer perspective to see the ways God has and continues to be at work through the generations. Thank you for the privilege of being one with you and my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

Celebrate

Today is a three-part celebration: 1) Where were rules helpful today? 2) Where did rules get in the way today? 3) Where did you encounter God’s grace today? Let’s try to celebrate three things today!

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Listen to Episode 066: Galatians 3

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.

Receive the Reading Plan by Email

Chapter 3, Galatians

Galatians 3, Day 5

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Read

Galatians 3:19-24

Everything Paul has been speaking about in Chapter 3 leads to the question, “So why was the Law given?” God used the Law to lock all things up under sin so that what is promised might be given through Jesus.

Reflect

Living on this side of Christ’s death and resurrection, we are in a new time. We anticipate Christ’s coming again. We don’t need to live under the supervision of the Law because the Law has served its purpose. The Law is not evil or opposed to God. But it also doesn’t define the order of life today for Jesus followers. Consider where being a follower of Jesus set you apart.

Respond

Follow Jesus

You have a choice today: follow the ways of the world or the way of Christ. What difference does being a follower Jesus make in your life?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you meet me where I am and invite me to become more like you. Thank you for forgiving me and nurturing me to become more like You. Guide my words and actions this day so I may offer your love to others. Amen.

Celebrate

What did you do, say, or believe to be true today because of your faith in Jesus Christ?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Listen to Episode 066: Galatians 3

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.

Receive the Reading Plan by Email

Chapter 3, Galatians

Galatians 3, Day 3

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Read

Galatians 3:10-14

Before you say, “Huh?” know this is a difficult passage…even for seasoned Biblical scholars. Consider this passage in relationship to verses 6-9. Paul is still responding to how Gentiles can receive the blessing first promised to Abraham.

Reflect

First Paul claims Scripture pronounced a curse on those who rely on the Law (v.10). Then he argues one Scripture against another Scripture (v.10-11 see Lev 18:5, Hab 2:4, and Deut 21:23). And then he uses Deuteronomy to say the crucified Christ was a curse. The complexity of this passage could be the subject of a dissertation. In Christ, Abraham’s blessing comes to the Gentiles and we (Jews and Gentiles together) receive the Spirit.

Respond

Follow Jesus

We all have days we’re tempted to curse. Maybe you don’t. The rest of us are still on that journey! Today, focus on the blessings that come your way…even if you’re tempted to curse.

Pray

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the saints who have gone before me. I celebrate the blessings that I have received and seek only to become more like you. Amen.

Celebrate

What blessing came your way today?

If none…consider the question again after you give us your best gif or emoji for when you’re so frustrated you want to curse. Keep it clean, friends. Kids may be watching! And, yes, Paul is using curse in a different way. We’re just having a little fun at a point in this journey that it can get challenging.

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Listen to LeaderCast Episode 066: Galatians 3

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.

Receive the Reading Plan by Email