As you begin your study of Galatians, I want to encourage you to pick up the Bible and read the entire book of Galatians in one sitting. Ask the Holy Spirit to transform the way you see things—to change your perspective to His perspective! Don’t stop for footnotes, study insights, or commentating—just read it through.

If you were in Galatia and Paul was writing this letter to you, have you ever thought about asking yourself the questions that Paul asks in his letter and answering them accordingly?

1. (Paul) For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? (Gal. 1:10)
2. If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews? (Gal. 2:14)
3. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Gal. 2:14)
4. Foolish Christian. Who has bewitched you? (Gal. 3:1)
5. Do you receive the Spirit by works of the Law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? (Gal. 3:2-3)
6. Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Gal. 3:3)
7. Did you suffer so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain? (Gal. 3:4)
8. Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the Law or by hearing with faith — just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? (Gal. 3:5-6)
9. Why, then, the Law? (Gal. 3:19)
10. Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? (Gal. 3:21)
11. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those who, by nature, are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Gal. 4:8-9)
12. What, then, has become of your blessedness? (Gal. 4:15)
13. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? (Gal. 4:16)
14. Tell me, you who desire to be under the Law, do you not listen to the Law? (Gal 4:21)
15. What does the Scripture say? (Gal. 4:30)
16. You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Gal 5:7)
17. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision (the Law), why am I still being persecuted? (Gal 5:11)

Take the time to journal on each question. We aren’t concerned about proper interpretation. But this is a great way to uncover your current understanding of what is going on in Galatians and will bring any biases you currently hold to the surface.