Hello! Welcome to Paul's letter to the church in Galatia. Galatians primarily focuses on one of the more popular Pauline hills to die on - Gentiles not being required to follow the laws of the Jews in order to be a part of the Way. Paul makes some really impressive scriptural points to defend his reasoning within this book and even features the epic confrontation of Peter for again....screwing up. Haha. In a time where the church is as divided as the nation with differing beliefs, ideologies, theologies, etc. I think Paul's argument about Gentile vs Jew can teach us something as well. We are united not by law, creed, or discipline (ahem) we are united by the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ. But I'm sure as you read something about this will speak to you as well. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Galatians and how it differs from other books you've read so far.
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this reveal to me about Paul?
What argument, chapter, or verse stood out to me? Why?
Since we are entering into a new book today there won't be any traditional commentary like there might be otherwise. Instead, we will watch the Bible Project's overview video for the book of Galatians so we know what the main points are, what we know about the setting, and what we can expect to read about in the future.
Praying the Hymns
Our prayer for today is inspired by hymn 315 - Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain. This hymn is another Eastertide hymn celebrating the resurrection of Christ. I haven't heard this one before...have you? It's fun to pray new hymns that we might not otherwise ever sing.
1. Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness;
God hath brought forth Israel
into joy from sadness;
loosed from Pharaoh's bitter yoke
Jacob's sons and daughters,
led them with unmoistened foot
through the Red Sea waters.
2. 'Tis the spring of souls today;
Christ hath burst his prison,
and from three days' sleep in death
as a sun hath risen;
all the winter of our sins,
long and dark, is flying
from his light, to whom we give
laud and praise undying.
3. Now the queen of seasons, bright
with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts,
comes its joy to render;
comes to glad Jerusalem,
who with true affection
welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus' resurrection.
4. Neither might the gates of death,
nor the tomb's dark portal,
nor the watchers, nor the seal
hold thee as a mortal;
but today amidst the twelve
thou didst stand, bestowing
that thy peace which evermore
passeth human knowing.
5. "Alleluia!" now we cry to our King immortal, who, triumphant, burst the bars of the tomb's dark portal; "Alleluia!" with the Son, God the Father praising, "Alleluia!" yet again to the Spirit raising.