Galatians 1

“I Neither Received It of Man … but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ”

A woman suffering from stress and anxiety

Have you ever felt confused by all the different opinions and philosophies in the world? The Saints in Galatia experienced similar challenges as they were presented with teachings that led them away from the true gospel of Christ. This lesson can help you learn how to avoid deception and confusion by hearkening to the words of Jesus Christ given to both ancient and modern prophets.

Establishing relevance. Beginning a lesson with a relevant question, situation, or problem can lead students to search the scriptures for gospel principles and doctrine that will give them guidance and direction.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared to give examples of ideas or teachings Satan uses to try to deceive them or lead them away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

Encountering false ideas

Display the following scenarios or invite students to come up with their own examples of situations where people may be deceived by worldly ideas. Invite students to discuss the scenarios and associated questions in pairs or small groups before discussing them as a class.

Think of how you would respond in the following situations:

You see a popular video or post being shared by many of your friends on social media. It contains ideas that oppose what you have been taught at home and in Church.
At school, several friends who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are giving opinions that are contrary to Church teachings.

How often do you encounter situations like these?
What do you feel you should do in situations like these? Why?

The Saints in Galatia also encountered teachings from those who sought to “pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:7). For example, some Jewish Christians were corrupting gospel teachings and raising doubts about Paul’s teaching that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.

Paul warns the Galatian Saints against false ideas

Paul wrote an epistle to combat the false teachings being spread among the Galatian Saints.

Read Galatians 1:6–9. Look for what Paul said about those who preached a “gospel” contrary to what he preached as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

What did you find to be significant in these verses? Why?

Paul warned the Galatian Saints to reject “any other gospel” (Galatians 1:9) besides the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Invite students to reflect on their preparation for class as they respond to the following questions.

What are some examples of false ideas in our day that can lead people away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ?
What true principles have been misunderstood or distorted by the world?
What are some of the possible consequences of listening to or following these other ideas or teachings? When have you seen some of these consequences?

If possible, watch the video “Divinely Appointed Sources” from time code 3:14 to 4:43 to see some examples of consequences. This video can be found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

We can turn to prophets and apostles for truth

In his epistle, Paul reminded the Galatian Saints of core gospel truths and the source of his authority and teachings.

Read Galatians 1:1–5, 10–12, looking for what Paul shared that could help the Saints avoid being deceived by false teachings.

What gospel truths did Paul remind the Galatians of?

How do you think focusing on the truths about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in verses 3–5 can help us avoid being deceived?
What did Paul teach the Galatians in verses 1, 11–12 about why they should believe what he taught?

Paul reminded the Galatians that he was an Apostle, called “not … by man, but by Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:1), and that he received the gospel “by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). One truth we can learn from Paul’s words is that Jesus Christ reveals true doctrine to His prophets and apostles.

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught about the importance of the words of both ancient and modern prophets:

The iron rod is the word of God. I like to think of it in this way: The word of God contains three very strong elements that intertwine and sustain one another to form an immovable rod. These three elements include, first, the scriptures, or the words of the ancient prophets. …

The second element of the word of God is the personal revelation and inspiration that comes to us through the Holy Ghost. …

… The third element, a critical addition intertwining with the other two[,] … represents the words of the living prophets.

(Neil L. Andersen, “Hold Fast to the Words of the Prophets” [Brigham Young University devotional, Mar. 4, 2007], speeches.byu.edu)

What do God’s efforts to provide us with these sources teach us about Him?
How can hearkening to the words of Christ from both ancient and modern prophets help you avoid being deceived?
How can personal revelation help you avoid being deceived?

If possible, watch the video “Divinely Appointed Sources” from time code 4:44 to 9:11 to see how the words of ancient and modern prophets, as well as personal revelation, helped several youth find truth and avoid deception.

What stood out to you about how the Lord helped these individuals respond to their difficult situations?
As you watched the video, what thoughts or feelings came to you that relate to your own life circumstances?

If there is time, consider using the “Divinely appointed sources” activity in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section.

Your personal situation

Think about what you have learned and felt today. Seek Heavenly Father’s help through the Holy Ghost and identify ways that you might currently be vulnerable to deception. What false teachings or worldly ideas might be damaging to your testimony of Jesus Christ? Do you read, watch, or listen to anything that may be deceiving you?

What did you learn from this lesson that was most helpful to you? Why?
What changes do you want to make in your life that will protect you from being deceived?
How can you more fully hearken to the words of Jesus Christ from ancient and modern prophets? What difference will it make for you if you do?

Give students sufficient time to reflect and write. Invite willing students to share. Encourage them to seek personal revelation on what they can do to personally avoid deception.

Commentary and Background Information

Did Paul teach that we should not listen to messages from heavenly angels?

Paul’s teachings in Galatians 1:8–10 are sometimes used incorrectly to argue against visions of angels preaching a restored gospel. However, Paul did not teach that all angels are to be rejected, for the scriptures show that angels would indeed come in the last days to preach the gospel anew (see Revelation 14:6). Rather, Paul taught that if anyone—even an angel—were to come to turn people away from the true gospel, then they should be rejected (see also Alma 30:53).

Why should I use divinely appointed sources in my search for truth?

Watch the video “Discovering Truth” (4:48), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. In this video, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, uses an analogy to explain the importance of seeking truth from divine sources rather than trusting in the wisdom of men.

How do Paul’s warnings apply today?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency cautioned:

We live in a time of greatly expanded and disseminated information. But not all of this information is true. We need to be cautious as we seek truth and choose sources for that search. We should not consider secular prominence or authority as qualified sources of truth. We should be cautious about relying on information or advice offered by entertainment stars, prominent athletes, or anonymous internet sources. Expertise in one field should not be taken as expertise on truth in other subjects.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Truth and the Plan,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 25)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Galatians 3:28. Becoming “one in Christ Jesus”

It may be more relevant for some classes to focus on Galatians 3:28 and the truth that we are all one in Christ, regardless of our backgrounds. If so, invite students to think of ways that people divide themselves into groups. Examples could include by race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Explain that the Saints in Galatia had divided themselves over whether they were Jew or Gentile.

Invite students to study Galatians 3:26–29 to see what Paul taught about becoming one in Christ. Invite them to share what they learned that could help Church members today be more united. Invite them to read John 17:20–23 and answer questions such as “What did the Savior do and what does He continue to do to unite us as one? What does it teach us about Him that He desires us to be one with each other, with Himself, and with the Father? How can we become more united with others and with God?”

Divinely appointed sources

After students identify the truth in Galatians 1:11–12 and discuss some of the “other gospels” that may deceive or lead them away from the true gospel of Jesus Christ, invite them to search divinely appointed sources to find truths that counter the deceptive messages in the world. For example, students may identify that the world may define marriage in other ways besides the way the Lord has defined it (as between a man and a woman). They could be invited to search “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” to find truths to avoid being deceived by these ideas.