Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. —Galatians 2:1-2

Last Week: Paul started churches and then would write

back to churches to encourage, teach, and

Reveal Answer

them.

Reveal Answer

missionaries insisted that the Galatians follow Jewish dietary laws and practice circumcision.

Paul was not teaching something he came up with, but what was

to him. (Galatians 1:11-12)

When we place tradition above the

for the tradition, we have created an idol.

We can

to hear the Holy Spirit’s leading in our daily lives.

Drowning in Data

People encounter and consume more

in a year than our ancestors did in a lifetime.

We no longer have to

about most matters of fact.

Information is helpful, but when we are making important decisions, we need

more than knowledge.

While information is more abundant than ever, wisdom is

to find.

If we rely only on data to make our decisions, we won’t know whether we’re asking the right

.

Discerning Wisdom

The practice of seeking God’s guidance and testing insights is known as

.

After meeting Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul needed to discern how to

.

Fourteen years after the experience, Paul

with Peter, James, and John. (Galatians 2:1-2)

When seeking to discern, seek out wise people who

Jesus well.

The best spiritual companions for times like these are saints who do not fit well into anyone’s theological box and casually defy labels such as conservative or liberal. —Dr. Elaine Heath, Theologian and Evangelism Scholar

We too easily dismiss the wisdom of elders today.

The “pillars” of the church affirmed Paul’s teaching of the Gospel and his call to share it with the Gentiles. (Galatians 2:7-9)

Discerning When to Dissent

Paul’s respect for the pillars did not lead to unquestioning

. (Galatians 2:11-13)

Peter and other Jewish Christians stopped

with Gentile Christians because of social pressure.

Peter’s refusal to eat together was

with the Gospel. (Galatians 2:14)

By refusing to eat with Gentiles, Peter was effectively

them to follow Jewish dietary laws.

Jesus’ death and resurrection brought Jews

Gentiles into right relationship with God, so there is no basis for separation.

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet, knowing that a person is rectified not by observance of the Law but through Jesus Christ’s faithful death for our sake, even we have trusted in Christ Jesus in order that we might be rectified through the faithfulness of Christ and not through observance of the law. —Galatians 2:15-16a, translated by Dr. Richard Hays

We are saved by the faithfulness

Jesus Christ and nothing else.

Discerning with Jesus

Through his experience with Jesus, Paul

to his old life to live a new life with him. (Galatians 2:19-20)

The life and teaching of Jesus are the clearest

in our discernment.
(Luke 4:18-19, Galatians 2:10)

John Wesley’s method of discernment includes scripture, tradition, reason, and experience, but

is primary.

There is no “

but equal” in the Kingdom of God.

Those who have been crucified with Christ will no longer separate themselves from one another but will gather around one table. —Dr. Richard Hays, New Testament Scholar

Each time we practice “the breaking of bread,” we experience a

of the heavenly banquet where everyone has a seat.

Action Steps

Eat with someone you normally

eat with.