Galatians

Hi everyone!

Here at the Sol Cafe, we've turned out attention to Galatians. On the 15th of May, we read Galatians 1 and 2 and then discussed what we heard and read.

We're going to be continuing that discussion in the coming weeks, including this Sunday, the 29th of May. Please read ahead if you can, but we will be reading the scripture out-loud during service to spark some more great discussion. Hope to see you there!

Here are some snippets of the ideas discussed on the 15th. (Please remember, these are just some of the questions and discussion that occurred during service on the 15th and are not meant to represent "the views of the Sol Cafe". At best, this is a representation of the kinds of discussion you can expect when you drop by!)

Galatians is about separation of culture and Christianity. Does this separation still exist today? People brought up the aboriginal cultures (that can coexist) and the history of missionaries in China.

The distinction of doing things as a response to God or doing them as a means to get to God. "If I do these things, the faith will follow" as opposed to "following the faith and the deeds will follow."

The letters suggest that we may not have to reject our entire previous life in order to become Christians, but are there things we do have to reject (from our old lifestyles) when we become Christians?

How do you decide what needs to be rejected or that you have to do? It's not how far you can push the limit, it's about how to love God. Asking yourself, "is it helping or hindering me in loving our neighbour?" God gives us a conscience so we can weight these things. Prayer. Sometimes we already know right versus wrong - we just have to listen? How can we judge whether it is God's voice or our own?

"The life of faith is supposed to be lived intentionally."

Is the conflict partly individuality versus conformity? Even in Galatians they are trying to get everyone to conform to a larger presence. The conflict allows us to accept Grace better. We'd be more open to the concept/gift of grace because of the struggle. We can never identify the exact item or line to be crossed between living and sinning. And as that realization becomes true, you turn to God and say, "Thank you for the cross." Be patient and accept Grace.

The idea of calling also came up. What am I called to do and where does God want me to answer that calling? That answer is different for everyone. How do you want me to witness? Where do you want me to witness? Tensions often arise when people feel that everyone should have the same calling. Everyone needs to adopt that which God has called THEM to do. God calls upon our natural talents to serve Him.

and the discussion continues soon...