Galatians 6:1-9
Devotion by Tina Miller Sermon by Rich Lanning
September 21, 2025
Gather
Squares of paper with the individual letters from the word GOSPEL printed on them.
Beads and leather strips for gospel bracelets.
Introduction
Give each family member a paper letter square (see “Gather” above). Work together to unscramble the word.
Ask: What is the gospel? Accept credible answers even if incomplete, then summarize it briefly. “Gospel” means good news. The good news is this:
We are all sinners. The punishment for ALL sin is death.
Because God loves us, he sent Jesus to take that death punishment for our sin.
If we trust Jesus’ death in our place, coming to him with a heart that wants to be clean and to love him, he will take away our sin, and give us everlasting life
Background
Last week we learned why Paul wrote the book of Galatians. Do you remember the reason?
[the people in the churches were believing false teaching]. Today we’re going to look a little more at that problem.
Pray
Lord Jesus, help us today to understand the scriptures that are able to make us wise for salvation.
Looking into the scripture passage
Read: Galatians 1:6-7
Ask: Why was Paul so astonished? What had the Galatians done?
What word does Paul use to describe how the Galatians had been called? [GRACE]
Last week we talked about what grace is. Do you remember?
“The free gift of eternal life God gives to all his children. Salvation from sin is all grace, a free gift from God, just because he loves us.”
The false teachers were twisting the gospel to say that alongside God’s grace the Galatians had to obey some of the Jewish laws to be true Christians.
Ask: If we have to do some kind of religious action to be forgiven of our sin, is that GRACE?
No, it’s no longer free! Paul says that is not a gospel at all, it’s not GOOD NEWS because we know that we all fall short of doing good all the time, we can’t earn God’s favor.
Read: Galatians 1:8-9
Ask: What does Paul say should happen to people who teach the wrong gospel? Why do you think he feels so strongly? What does adding our works to the gospel say about Jesus?
If we can or must do something to earn God’s forgiveness and life, then Jesus’ death is not enough! Jesus himself is not good enough to save us; how terrible that would be! We could have no hope.
But we know that is not true; Jesus is all we need to be saved from our sin!
Apply the passage
Activity 1
Create gospel bracelets as a visual tool to remember the truth of the gospel. Make extras to give to friends who may not have followed Jesus as Savior.
- Black (we are all sinners)
- Red (Christ died for our sin)
- White (when we come to him in faith, he cleanses us of sin forever)
- Green (Jesus gives us eternal life that begins right now)
- Gold (we get to live in his kingdom forever)
Activity 2
Sing the songs below as praise to the Lord Jesus, our only Savior.
Memorize
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes….
Romans 1:16
Practice the verse
Use the letters of the word “gospel” to make a poster with the words of the verse. Here’s an example.
Gospel
Of
Salvation
Power
Everyone
beLieves
Extra Stuff
Dig Deeper (for older kids and parents)
Read and talk about these verses about the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice:
Hebrews 10: 12-14 John 19:30 Acts 4:12 John 14:6
Songs to sing
“There is One Gospel” (CityAlight)
“My Faith has Found a Resting Place”
Books to read (these can be borrowed from the Kidstuff table in the church foyer)
- First Catechism, Teaching Children Bible Truths (feel free to take one for your family to keep).
- His Grace is Enough by Melissa Krueger
- This is the Gospel (She Reads Truth)
