Week 12: Exploring Galatians 4-6 and Ephesians 1-2
In week 12 of our journey to read the New Testament in a year, we will read Galatians 4-6 and Ephesians 1-2. This week’s readings highlight the themes of freedom through faith and the transformative power of grace in our relationship with God.
Galatians 4-6
Last week, we explored the distinction between living under the law and living by faith. This week, we will delve into how faith liberates us from the world’s bondage and ushers us into the family of God as adopted sons.
In Chapter 5, Paul addresses the Galatian church’s tendency to forsake their freedom and return to spiritual enslavement. He also warns that our freedom in Christ should not be used as an excuse for sin but should be respected and lived out in harmony with God’s commands.
In the concluding chapter, Paul offers practical advice for handling wayward believers and emphasizes the importance of maintaining steadfastness in the true gospel message. His guidance underscores the significance of living in alignment with the Spirit and supporting one another within the Christian community.
Ephesians 1-2
We will then move to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he presents similar themes of adoption and salvation by grace through faith.
Paul highlights the profound shift from separation to inclusion, showing how Gentiles, once distant from God, are now united with Jewish believers in Christ. Together, they form a new community, being transformed into a dwelling place for God!
Week 12: New Testament Reading Assignment
Each week, we will read 5 chapters of the New Testament. Some people may prefer to read during the weekdays, while others might enjoy doing most of their reading on the weekends. Choose the method that works best for you!
- Day 1: Galatians 4
- Day 2: Galatians 5
- Day 3: Galatians 6
- Day 4: Ephesians 1
- Day 5: Ephesians 2
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Week 12: Reflection Questions for Galatians 4-6 and Ephesians 1-2
Consider the following reflection questions:
Galatians 4: From Slavery to Sonship
- How does Paul’s explanation of the heir being under guardians and managers until a set time illustrate our transition from being under the law to becoming children of God?
- What does the concept of being adopted as sons and receiving the Spirit of God into our hearts teach us about our relationship with God and our identity in Christ?
- How does Paul contrast the past state of being enslaved to the elementary principles of the world with the present freedom we have as sons and heirs through God?
- In what ways might the Galatians be tempted to return to their previous state of bondage, and how can this warning be applied to our lives today?
- How does Paul’s personal experience and relationship with the Galatians highlight the importance of remaining steadfast in the truth of the gospel?
Galatians 5: Freedom and Living by the Spirit
- What does Paul mean by stating that if one accepts circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage, and how does this impact our understanding of justification and grace?
- How does the freedom Christ provides contrast with the concept of being bound by the law, and what implications does this have for how we live out our faith?
- How can we ensure that our freedom in Christ is not used as an opportunity for the flesh, and what does it mean to serve one another in love?
- How does Paul’s exhortation to “walk by the Spirit” and the list of the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit guide us in living out our faith?
- What does Paul mean by saying “a little leaven leavens the whole lump,” and how does this principle apply to our spiritual lives and the influence of false teachings?
Galatians 6: Living Out the Gospel through Community
- How should we approach the restoration of someone who is caught in a transgression, and what does this teach us about our role in the community of believers?
- What does it mean to bear one another’s burdens, and how does this action fulfill the law of Christ in practical terms?
- How can the principle of sowing and reaping guide our actions and attitudes, and what encouragement can we draw from it for persevering in doing good?
- How does Paul’s instruction to share all good things with those who teach the word emphasize the importance of mutual support within the body of Christ?
- What is the significance of Paul’s final warning and benediction, and how does it relate to the overall message of the letter to the Galatians?
Ephesians 1: Greeting and Spiritual Blessings
- What does Paul emphasize about his authority as an apostle, and how might understanding his role impact our view of his message?
- How does the greeting reflect the relationship between believers and God, and what does this relationship mean for our daily lives?
- What are the spiritual blessings described in this passage, and how can we live out these blessings in our own lives?
- How does Paul describe our identity in Christ, and how does this identity affect our actions and relationships?
- What reasons does Paul give for his thanksgiving and prayer for the Ephesians, and how can we apply this model of gratitude and intercession in our own prayers?
Ephesians 2: By Grace Through Faith
- How does Paul describe our condition before coming to faith, and how does this understanding highlight the importance of God’s grace?
- What does it mean to be made alive in Christ, and how should this transformation influence our daily lives?
- How does Paul explain the relationship between grace and works, and what implications does this have for how we view our own actions?
Reflective Prayer
Choose a few verses or topics from these chapters and pray over them. Consider using the ACTS method — Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication:
- Adoration: Praise God. What specific characteristics of God do these readings bring to mind?
- Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. What specific sins do these readings bring to mind?
- Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. What in these readings inspires gratitude?
- Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. What in these readings inspires a prayer?
If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
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