Did he just say... ??

You ever overhear a comment that seems completely bizarre, but once you hear what the people were talking about it's not so strange?

This week we are going to begin studying the book of Galatians. In order to understand what's being said, it's important for us to know who wrote it, to whom it was written, and to understand the reasons for why it's written. Otherwise it might seem like some bizarre comments being made.

[Galatians 1:1-2: Paul, an apostle--not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:]

Just from reading the first few verses we get some answers. Paul is the author and the recipients are the churches of Galatia. Remember back in this time, believers would be meeting in small house churches. This letter would have been passed around to all of them and more than likely also other churches in the whole region.

There's much more that we need to know though. Why was this written?

To answer that, let's take a look at Acts 15. In the first few verses we find out that there are men who are preaching that "unless you are circumcised, you cannot be saved." Paul and Barnabas hear this and it cause a debate between them, so they go to Jerusalem to discuss this further with some other men, including the apostles and some elders. This meeting is referred to as the Jerusalem Council. (If you don't know what circumcision is, go ask your parents... I'm not explaining that one...)

Eventually Peter clears the air and explains that salvation comes because of God's grace, not by circumcision or any other aspect of the Law. A letter is written explaining this and is then delivered by Paul and some others that explain what was decided. (Read the details in Acts 15). It was a brief letter, almost like a formal statement given to state their position on the matter.

Paul then writes the book of Galatians to further explain what the formal statement meant and to help them understand and apply the information.

So if this book is a debate about whether or not believers need to be circumcised, how is it relevant for us today?

The people in Acts 15 were ordinary people who had called upon the name of the Lord to be saved, just like you and me. But as they were living life, things got confusing and messy. We see people having disagreements and discussions over how to live life properly before God.

These days circumcision is not a topic of concern in churches, but there are other things that can cause debate. Like the believers in Acts, we need to learn how to discuss and debate and come to God-honoring decisions. The things Paul has to say will be relevant and applicable to us.

As we begin this study, pray that you will learn from these devotionals. Ask God to help you apply what you learn and grow closer to Him through this study.

1. Take a minute and journal your thoughts about this passage:

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These are devotionals written for the teens. A handful of us are taking turns writing, so it may seem like sporadic passages. It all flows nicely for the teens in their devo books though.