Bible Reading
Galatians 5:13-14, 22-2513 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
[34:24] 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
[34:24] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
[34:48] 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
[35:00] 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
[35:03] 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
[35:09] Acts 9:1-191 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
[13:58] 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
[14:04] 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
[14:15] 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
[14:24] 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
[14:29] 6 “But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
[14:31] 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
[14:37] 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
[14:49] 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,
[15:52] 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
[14:55] 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
[15:10] 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.
[15:16] 1 Corinthians 13:1-31 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
[21:40] 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
[21:58] 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
[21:58] 2 Timothy 3:16-1716 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
[02:31] 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
[02:31] Observation questions
- In Acts 9, what words describe Saul’s attitude and purpose before Jesus meets him on the road to Damascus?
- What changes can be observed in Saul after he encounters Jesus—both in his physical condition and in his relationship with the disciples? [14:47]
- In Galatians 5, what does Paul place alongside Christian freedom, and what fruit does he say grows in a life led by the Spirit? [34:24]
- According to 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, what spiritual abilities or sacrifices can a person have while still gaining nothing?
Interpretation questions
- Jesus says that Saul is persecuting him when Saul attacks Jesus’ followers. What does this show about how closely Jesus identifies himself with his church?
- Paul says the whole law is fulfilled in loving one’s neighbor. How does this help Christians move beyond asking only, “What is the rule?” toward asking, “What does love require?” [25:42]
- Paul wrote letters to real churches dealing with real problems in their own settings. How can asking who received a letter, what was happening, and what love required help a group read difficult passages faithfully? [21:40]
- Galatians says believers should “keep in step with the Spirit.” What does that suggest about the difference between merely avoiding wrong actions and allowing God to change the desires of the heart? [27:44]
Application questions
- Saul’s story shows that Jesus can confront and remake someone who seems far from God. Is there a person, relationship, or part of your own story that feels beyond redemption? What would it look like to bring that honestly before Jesus? [15:52]
- Rules can set helpful boundaries, but they cannot create love in the heart. Where might you be measuring your faith mainly by outward behaviour, religious activity, or comparison with others rather than by growing love for God and people? [23:22]
- Think about a current disagreement, family tension, church concern, or difficult decision. Instead of beginning with “Who is right?” how might the question “What does love require here?” change the way you respond? [25:42]
- The fruit of the Spirit includes patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Which one of these is most needed in a specific relationship or situation in your life this week? What is one small, practical response that would reflect it?
- Scripture is meant to make room for the Spirit’s transforming work, not merely to fill people with information. What could help you slow down when reading the Bible—such as rereading a passage, writing an observation, sitting quietly, or discussing it with someone else? [32:28]
- Making room for the Spirit can affect marriages, children, friendships, and family patterns that have continued for generations. Is there a harmful pattern you hope can stop with you? What step could you take to invite God’s transforming work into that area? [38:31]
