One gospel, one table · Welcomed in Christ

Last Session Review

In Galatians 1, Paul opened with the gospel as rescue: Jesus “gave himself for our sins to rescue us” (1:4). Adding any requirement to his work turns it into a different gospel (1:6–9). Paul refused to shape the message to win approval (1:10), and his story ended with the churches giving glory to God (1:24). Our hope rests in Christ’s work, not in how our faith compares with anyone else’s.

Scripture

Open your Bibles to Galatians 2:1–21. Galatians is a letter: Paul is making a case to churches he loves, so follow his reasoning. Chapter 2 tells two scenes, a meeting in Jerusalem (2:1–10) and a confrontation over a meal in Antioch (2:11–14), then explains what was at stake (2:15–21). Watch for freedom, the truth of the gospel, and justified.

Part 1 · Welcomed Without Conditions

Galatians 2:1–10

Fourteen years later, Paul goes to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus, a Gentile believer. Titus is not compelled to be circumcised. He does not have to become someone else to belong to Christ. Some slipped in to spy on the freedom believers have in Christ, but Paul did not give way, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved. The leaders in Jerusalem recognize the grace given to Paul and give him the right hand of fellowship. Peter and Paul have different callings, one gospel, and a shared care for the poor. Their callings are partnership, not competition. In Christ, no woman has to meet unspoken standards to be welcomed, and another sister’s calling is not a measure of yours.

Discuss

  1. What did it mean for Titus to be welcomed without being compelled to change (2:3–5)? What does it tell us about who belongs to Christ?
  2. The leaders saw different callings serving one gospel (2:7–9). How could that free you from comparing your season or calling with another woman’s?

Part 2 · Who Sits at the Table

Galatians 2:11–21

In Antioch, Peter ate with Gentile believers until certain men came from James. Then he withdrew, “because he feared those from the circumcision party” (2:12), and others followed, even Barnabas. No one announced a new teaching. A table quietly changed, and some believers were left out because others feared what a group would think. Paul saw that this did not match the gospel and opposed Peter in front of everyone.

Then Paul explains what was at stake. A person is justified, declared right with God, not by works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ (2:16). Our standing is a gift, not an achievement. And it is personal: “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (2:20). If righteousness came through the law, Christ died for nothing (2:21).

When we are already loved like that, we don’t need one group’s approval, and we can make room at the table for others.

Discuss

  1. Peter’s withdrawal spoke louder than words. How can the desire to be accepted by one group lead us to pull away from others?
  2. Read 2:20 slowly. How does being loved by the Son of God, who gave himself for you, answer the need to be approved?

Reflections

  1. Whose approval is shaping your choices most right now?
  2. Who might need a welcome at your table this week?

Close Prayer

Father, thank you that we are justified by faith in your Son, who loved us and gave himself for us. Free us from living for one group’s approval. Forgive us where we have pulled away from others or measured ourselves against them. By your Spirit, make us women who welcome one another, encourage one another, and keep in step with your gospel. Christ, live in us. Amen.

Scripture quotations marked CSB are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.