Course Description
This course is a 7-week study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. It will begin with an opening session that introduces the 1st-century context of the letter, and gives general interpretive guidance. Following that introduction, the study will proceed by studying one chapter per module, though always keeping in mind the context of the entire book as well.
Instructor: Dr. Daniel Berge
What You Will Learn
- To describe the historical, geographical, and cultural contexts of Galatians, and explain how these contexts affect our contemporary reading of the letter.
- To summarize Paul’s message in Galatians 1, and compare that message to different messages heard today.
- To discern how Paul used the categories of law and faith to describe the relationship of believers with Jesus.
- To properly distinguish a relationship with God that relies on works of law, from a faith that is created by God’s promise.
- To discern how a joint identity with Jesus Christ gives believers confidence in their relationship with God.
- To properly divide behaviors and thought-patterns that are consistent with the sinful flesh, from behaviors and thought patterns that are consistent with belief.
- To appraise how the book of Galatians calls believers to think and live confidently according to God’s work in recreating them, rather than according to the ways of this world.
Course Objective
To provide a basic understanding of the context and content of the book of Galatians, so that students will be better prepared to live before God and man.
Textbook Requirements
The New Testament is the only required textbook.
Course Module Topics
- Introduction to the Study of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
- Galatians Chapter 1: Man or God?
- Galatians Chapter 2: Law or Faith?
- Galatians Chapter 3: Law or Promise?
- Galatians Chapter 4: Slave or Free?
- Galatians Chapter 5: Flesh or Spirit?
- Galatians Chapter 6: World or New Creation?