Table Talk | January 10 & 11

Published January 4, 2026
Table Talk | January 10 & 11

Small Group Guide: Galatians 1:11-2:10


"The Gospel: Unchanged and Unchanging"

Week 2 : Galatians | Faith That Brings True Freedom

Sermon Recap :

Main Idea: The gospel's essence and authority is divine, not humanly devised.

Main Points:

  • Paul defends the authenticity of the gospel he preached
  • The gospel came directly from Jesus, not through human teaching
  • The apostles in Jerusalem corroborated Paul's message
  • Gospel + anything = no longer the gospel 

Key Takeaways 

      • This makes it authoritative and unchangeable
      • No human can improve upon or add to what God has revealed
      • Jesus alone is sufficient for salvation
      • Any "Jesus plus" message is a false gospel
      • True believers will recognize and affirm the authentic gospel
      • The gospel unites believers across differences

Discussion Questions

Understanding The Text

Personal Application

  • Paul wrote, "If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10). When have you faced a choice between pleasing God and pleasing people? What did you choose and why?
  • Pastor Todd mentioned the phrase "let the chips fall where they may" when it comes to obeying God. What situations in your life right now require this kind of courage?
    • The Galatian churches were being pressured to add requirements to the gospel (Jesus + the law). What are some modern examples of "gospel plus" messages you've encountered? (Examples: Jesus + political affiliation, Jesus + financial success, etc.)

Going Deeper

  • Paul says he received the gospel "by revelation from Jesus Christ." How does this differ from cult leaders or false teachers who also claim special revelation? What safeguards does Christianity have against false teaching?

Read the gospel definition from the sermon:
"Through the person and work of Jesus Christ, God fully accomplishes salvation for us, rescuing us from judgment for sin into fellowship with him, and then restores the creation in which we can enjoy new life together with him forever."

  • Which part of this definition is most meaningful to you right now? Why?
  • Pastor Todd stated: "You can't give what you don't have."  How does your personal experience of the gospel affect your ability to share it with others?

Practical Applications

This Week's Challenge - Choose One:

Option 1: Gospel Clarity Write out in your own words what the gospel is. Share it with one person this week (could be a believer or non-believer). Notice how clearly you can communicate it.

Option 2: People-Pleasing Audit Identify one area where you're tempted to please people rather than obey God. Pray daily about it and take one step of obedience this week, letting "the chips fall where they may."

Option 3: Gospel Gratitude Read through Galatians once each day this week (it's only 6 chapters). Each time you read, write down one thing you're grateful for about the gospel.

Prayer Request & Closing

Group Prayer Focus:

  • Pray for courage to obey God rather than please people
  • Pray for clarity about the true gospel in a culture with many false messages
  • Pray for those in your "oikos" (your 8-15 people) who need to hear the gospel
  • Share personal prayer requests
Closing Prayer Theme: Thank God that the gospel is divine, not humanly devised, and therefore trustworthy and unchanging.

Additional Resources

For Further Study:

  • Week 2: Galatians | Faith That Brings True Freedom
  • Read Acts 9 (Paul's conversion) and Acts 13-14 (Paul's first missionary journey)
  • Consider reading "The Gospel According to Jesus" by John MacArthur or "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel (mentioned in the sermon)

Memory Verse for the Week: "I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:11-12