Reading Through The Bible - GALATIANS

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

GALATIANS  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLES

9th book of the NT 

48th book of the Bible

It starts with a blessing and reminder of salvation through Jesus in chapter 1 verses 3-5

I love the blessings pronounced in God's Word and we can see in the Epistles that they form lovely greetings.

What is it?

The Book of Galatians is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It has 6 chapters.

When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 49 & 50 AD.

Who Wrote it?

The Apostle Paul

The first 2 verses tells us who it was from 

"1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)," 

2 and all the brethren who are with me,"

Who was it Written to?

Verse 2 tells us who it was written to 

2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia "

Why was it Written? 

It was written because Paul wanted to clarify certain things for the Galatian Christians. 

 

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Paul hears that the Galatian churches have been led to think that salvation comes from the law of Moses, and writes a (rather heated) letter telling them where the false teachers have it wrong.."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"The Galatians were starting to say Gentiles must follow the Jewish laws in order to be saved. It was confusing the people and putting a burden on them that was unnecessary. Paul wanted to straighten that out."

What did Paul want to explain about himself?

He wanted to talk about himself as an Apostle along with the other Apostles.

About what Christ's crucifixion meant to him personally and where his faith was found as we see in chapter 2 v 20

What did Paul want the Galatians to know about Christianity?

He wanted them to know exactly where their faith had to be focused - not on law and instructions but in Christ as we partly see in  chapter 3 v 26

What is the Book of Galatians most well-known for? 

It contains the passage about the Fruit of the Spirit in chapter 5 verses 22 - 23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

How does it end?

With an instruction to continue to do good deeds

 in chapter 6 v 9

 

and

bringing their attention back again to the cross

 in chapter 6 v 9

OUTLINE of GALATIANS

The Overview Bible  gives us the following

1. The gospel under attack in Galatia (Ga 1:1–10)
2. History of the Law vs. grace debate (Ga 1:11–2:21)
3. Salvation via faith vs. salvation via works (Ga 3)
4. Slavery vs. sons and heirs of God (Ga 4)
5. The sinful flesh vs. the Holy Spirit (Ga 5)
6. How to do good in Christian community (Ga 6)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

Reading Through the Bible - LAMENTATIONS

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

It is also one of the most "not read" books which may be attributed to its title.

LAMENTATIONS  -  OLD TESTAMENT  -   PROPHECY

25th book of the OT 

25th book of the Bible

What is it?

The Book of LAMENTATIONS is counted as one of the books of  Prophecy in the Old Testament.

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Lamentations is not so much prophecy as it is a lament over what had become of Jerusalem after the invasion and how it all could have been avoided"

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"A collection of dirges lamenting the fall of Jerusalem after the Babylonian attacks."

How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters but some of them are quite long by Word Count.

When was it Written?

It is thought to have been written in 585 BC. due to the fact that the invasion and exile was in 586 BC.

Who Wrote it?

The Prophet Jeremiah

How does it start?

It starts with despair and sadness in Chapter 1 v 1

"How lonely sits the city

That was full of people!

How like a widow is she,

Who was great among the nations!

The princess among the provinces

Has become a slave!"

but it does not dwell here and chapter 3 shines through with some of the great qualities of God 

with God's love and mercy in verses 22-23

  

and God's goodness in verses 25-26

and God's comfort in verses 25-26

but also with good advice from Jeremiah in verses 40 - 41

Who was it Written to?

This is a hard question to answer as it is Jeremiah lamenting as he walked through the streets after the invasion and exile so we cannot say it was spoken or written directly to specific people but more as a warning in general for everyone about disobeying God. 

Why was it Written? 

It was written because Jeremiah was so disappointed  that the people had not walked as God wanted and this had led to the invasion and exile to Babylon.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"The people had rejected their God and His prophets. Before they ever entered the promised land, Israel was given a choice: remain loyal to God and enjoy His blessings and prosperity, or worship other gods and be exiled from their land (that’s from Deuteronomy). Israel followed other gods, showed injustice to the poor, and ignored God’s laws."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"While not considered a story the book is a very visual and spiritual look at the horror that had become of Judah just after the Babylonian invasion and exile."

What is unusual about Lamentations compared to other books of Prophecy?

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"It is the only book of prophecy that looks more backwards than forwards."

How does it end?

It ends with a prayer to God in chapter 5 which ends with some hope in verses 19 - 22

"Why do You forget us forever,

And forsake us for so long a time?

Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be [b]restored;
Renew our days as of old,

Unless You have utterly rejected us,
And are very angry with us!"

Quick outline of Lamentations

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

1. Jerusalem: punished and in pain (1)
2. The Lord’s anger on Jerusalem (2)
3. The individual’s distress turns to hope (3)
4. The siege of Jerusalem (4)
5. A plea for God’s mercy (5)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

Reading Through the Bible - JAMES

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

JAMES  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

20th book of the NT 

59th book of the Bible

What is it?

The Book of JAMES is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a letter.

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Known as the Proverbs of the New Testament"

 

Who Wrote it?

James the brother of Jesus

Notice that James is not prideful of being the brother of Jesus but speaks humbly as a servant of Jesus in chapter 1 verse 1

 "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,"

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"James was not a follower of Jesus during the Saviour's time on earth.  He finally became a believer upon seeing Jesus alive and well after the crucifixion.  He became one of the leaders of the Church at Jerusalem."

Who was it Written to?

It was written to the Christians who were now living in various countries as we see in chapter 1 verse 1

 "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings." 

How does it start?

It starts with instruction about attitude to trials which these Christians were going through in 

chapter 1 verse 2

and then on to advice about asking God for wisdom in

chapter 1 verses 5-6

Immediately James is instructing the Christians everywhere to be joyful & seek wisdom from God in all situations and believe God will answer so obviously this must be important for all of us now too.

How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters.

When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 67 & 69 AD

Why was it Written? 

It was written to instruct and encourage believers as to what true faith is. 

Obedience, truth & action are important.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"A letter telling Christians to live in ways that demonstrate their faith in action."

This can be clearly seen in 

chapter 1 v 19

and

chapter 1 v 22

What link is noted here with the Old Testament?

The Book of James is very supportive of the Biblical law.

How does it end?

by imploring them to be

 patient 

in 

chapter 5 v 8

and how to react in certain situations

in

Chapter 5 v 13

and a final message of how to help others who are 

drifting from the truth

Quick outline of James

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

1. Trials and temptation (1:1–20)
2. True religion (1:21–27)
3. Favouritism and judgment (2:1–13)
4. Faith and works (2:14–26)
5. Teachers and the tongue (3)
6. Submission to God (4:1–5:6)
7. Strength and anticipation (5:7–20)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE