Living Gospel Freedom | Gospel Freedom | Galatians 2:1-14
Introduction
Before we begin
Table Communities are community gatherings for the purpose of:
- Building meaningful relationships through intentional time together
- Engaging in mutual discipleship through directing one another towards Christ with truth shared in love
- Multiplying grace through love, prayer and gifts of the spirit
The notes will guide you through praying together, reading scripture and engaging in intentional relational time together. There are also notes and practices for this month's habit of grace. We know that most groups will not have time to discuss the habit of grace during their time together, but they are available if time allows and are available for those seeking to intentionally engage with God's grace during the week. If that desire is within you, please read the notes on your own time or go through the habit of grace practices with a spiritual friend or your spouse, so as to build one another up in truth and love. Finally, this gathering is not about getting through all the note content, but rather this gathering is about building meaningful relationships, engaging in mutual discipleship and multiplying grace. Let those values shape the direction and pace of your time together.
Kick off with prayer
You can use the kick off prayer below (if you are not comfortable praying aloud), and give time for others to pray into the night together.
Example prayer, if needed. Ideally pray freely as you feel called:
Father we praise you for gathering us together. Despite whatever weighed on our hearts as we entered this house, we pray that your Spirit guides our time together and free us from anything that is not of you. We pray that by the strength of your might we may speak truth in love to one another. We pray that we are led by the gifts of your spirit, so that we may build up one another and your church as a whole. As we read your word, we pray that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner pleasing to you.
Passage: Gospel Freedom | Galatians
We will read the text together seeking for God to give life to the text through his Spirit. "Lord please help us to hear your word and receive what you have for each of us"
Galatians 2:1-14
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas [Peter] and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
11 But when Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas [Peter] before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Passage Summary
Paul recounts a defining moment where the truth of the gospel was publicly threatened—not by outsiders, but from within the church. Even respected leaders were tempted to compromise gospel freedom out of fear and pressure. Paul confronts this head-on because the stakes are high: when anything is added to Jesus, freedom is lost. The gospel not only saves us—it shapes how we live, relate, and walk honestly before God and one another.
Discussion
Discussion Questions
1. In this passage, the great apostle Peter acts out of fear. What does that tell us about how subtle and powerful fear can be—even for mature believers?
Facilitator Guide:
This question normalises struggle without excusing it. The aim is humility, not judgment—“this could be me.” Additionally, set up for a willingness to be honest. This is a space where we should not fear one another, because we know we are all in need of help.
2. In what circumstances do you feel most pressure to be someone you’re not—in order to belong, be accepted, or avoid conflict? This could be work, school, around family or old friends, church or other.
Facilitator Guide:
The goal is to surface people-pleasing, fear, and performance as threats to gospel freedom. This isn’t about behaviour management, but heart posture.
3. In what circumstances do you feel most comfortable and safe to make mistakes or to be different from the people you are around?
Facilitator Guide:
The goal is to contrast the two environments, which may lead to more personal insight into what aspects about yourself you try to hide.
4. How do you typically respond when your faith or convictions might cost you approval, comfort, or reputation in these circumstances?
Facilitator Guide:
Help the group reflect honestly on fear of people vs trust in Christ. Encourage personal stories rather than abstract answers.
5. What “extra requirements” do you feel pressure to carry—spoken or unspoken—in order to be seen as a good Christian?
Facilitator Guide:
Surface false gospels of respectability, spiritual habits, maturity, usefulness, or theological correctness. These often creep in through church culture rather than Gospel doctrine and culture. This speaks specifically into the reality that false Gospels can come into the church itself and our relationships.
6. How does the gospel—being fully accepted in Christ—free you to live more honestly before God and others?
Facilitator Guide:
This is the moment to apply the gospel to fear and performance. Encourage the group to help one another articulate gospel truth, not advice, and share testimonies.
Closing Prayer Prompt
Prompts:
- Thank God that our acceptance is rooted in Christ alone.
- Confess where fear of people has shaped our actions more than faith in Jesus.
- Ask the Spirit to help us live in step with the truth of the gospel and experience it in our daily lives.
Silent Reflection (1 minute):
- Where am I currently hiding, performing, or pretending?
- Who am I afraid of disappointing?
- What truth about Jesus do I need to believe again?
Invite anyone to share briefly, then pray for one another—especially for courage, honesty, and freedom in Christ.