Galatians 1:11-24
Devotion by Tina Miller
Sermon by Ian Ferguson
September 28, 2025
Background
We’ve been studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Do you remember why Paul wrote this letter?
[Some teachers were trying to get them to believe a false gospel.]
Pray
Lord Jesus, help us today to understand the scriptures that are able to make us wise for salvation.
Introduction
Let the children each relate a true incident about something that happened to them; let them tell “their story.” Time them to see if they can do it in two minutes or less.
Today we’ll be reading Paul’s story as he tells it to the Galatians.
Looking into the scripture passage
The Galatians were hearing two different versions of the gospel: the one that Paul taught them and the one from the men who told them they needed to do some religious acts to be true members of God’s family. How would they know which “gospel” to believe?
In order to help them know the truth, Paul reminded them of how he received the gospel directly from Jesus.
Read: Galatians 1:11-16
Ask: What was Paul like in his “former life?”
Who called him to a new life? How was he called? [by grace]
What teacher gave Paul his gospel? Where did it come from?
We can find the events Paul is mentioning detailed in the book of Acts. [note his name change from Saul to Paul]
Read: Acts 9:1-19
Ask: Why did Jesus come to Saul onthe road to Damascus? What changed about him after he met Jesus?
Read: Galatians 1: 22-24
Ask: How did Paul change after he believed in Jesus? What did people do when they saw the difference?
We can see that the true gospel changed Paul’s life, and it always changes the life of everyone who believes it.
Who gets the glory when the true gospel is believed? Who would get the glory if there were some good things we could do to earn God’s favor?
The true gospel glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ.
Apply the passage
Activity 1 Parents, have you ever shared with your children your testimony of coming to Christ? Today is a great day to do that (even if you told them before, tell them again)! Use these points:
- Before: how you thought, acted, felt (including about God and the Bible)
- How: describe how you realized you needed Jesus, what you did or said to show your trust in Christ (not what you did or said to receive salvation, which is a free gift)
- After: how your life has changed since following Jesus
Activity 2 If your children have received Christ, help them to tell their testimony/story about it using the pattern above.
Memorize
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3
Practice the verse
Draw a large number 1 on a piece of paper. Write the verse around its edges or inside of it to remember this first point of the gospel and its first importance.
We’ll learn the next verses in subsequent weeks.
Extra Stuff
Songs to sing
“Reformation Song”
