Week 1 | No Other Gospel

Big Idea: If you add anything to the gospel, you lose the gospel.

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-10

Intro:

Illustration: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Show clip from Spider-Man: Homecoming

(Show or describe a scene from Spider-Man: Homecoming where Peter Parker is desperate to prove himself. Maybe highlight the part where he disobeys Tony Stark’s orders, ignoring his guidance because he’s so eager to be seen as a “real” hero. Or the scene where he recklessly pursues the criminals on the ferry, thinking that if he succeeds, he’ll finally earn the respect he craves. Instead, his actions cause disaster, nearly sinking the ferry and putting lives at risk. Tony has to step in and save the day—leading to that heartbreaking moment where he takes the suit back from Peter.)

Peter wants so badly to be recognized and respected that he pushes past his limits, takes unnecessary risks, and loses sight of what really matters. He thinks that if he does enough, he’ll finally be accepted. But in the process, he nearly loses himself.

Transition: What About Us?

Peter’s struggle isn’t just a superhero problem—it’s a human one. If we’re honest, we do the same thing. We want to fit in. We want people to like us. We want to be accepted—sometimes so badly that we compromise who we really are.

But here’s the real question: Are we more concerned with what others think of us, or are we committed to staying true to what we know is right?

The pressure to conform is real. It might not look like stopping a runaway ferry, but it shows up in the choices we make every day.

Maybe it’s laughing at a joke we know we shouldn’t, staying quiet when we should speak up, or adjusting our beliefs just a little to avoid conflict.

This isn’t new—Paul saw it happening in the early church, too.

Tension:

In Galatians 1:6-10, Paul opens his letter with a passionate warning: Don’t abandon the true gospel! He’s not just offering friendly advice—he’s shocked, even outraged, that the Galatians are so quickly turning to a distorted version of the gospel.

False teachers had convinced them that faith in Jesus wasn’t enough. They were being pressured to add Jewish laws and traditions to the mix. And instead of standing firm, some of them started giving in—just like Peter Parker, they were chasing approval instead of trusting the truth.

Ask the Students:

• Have you ever felt pressured to change what you believe just to fit in?

• Have you ever been tempted to tweak your faith to make it more acceptable?

• What are some areas where it’s hardest to stand firm in your faith?

The truth is, we all face moments where we have to decide:

Will we stand firm in the gospel, or will we chase the approval of others?

Because at the end of the day, just like Peter Parker learned, real identity isn’t about proving ourselves—it’s about knowing who we really are. And for us, that identity is found in Christ.

Big Idea:

If you add anything to the gospel, you lose the gospel.

Truth:

Background of Galatians:

Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia (modern-day Turkey).

False teachers, known as Judaizers, were telling Gentile Christians they had to follow Jewish laws to be truly saved.

Paul isn’t just offering advice—he’s defending the very core of Christianity.

Read Galatians 1:1-10

Galatians 1:1–10 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 1:1-5 – The True Gospel

Paul begins by emphasizing his authority—not from humans, but from Jesus Christ himself.

The gospel is about grace and peace through Jesus, who gave Himself for our sins.

Paul reminds them that salvation is not about what we do but about what Jesus has done.

Galatians 1:1–10 ESV

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-10 – The Danger of a Different Gospel

Paul says he is astonished that they are turning to “a different gospel.”

He makes a bold statement: If anyone, even an angel, preaches a different gospel, let them be cursed.

Paul ends with a gut-check question: Are we trying to please people, or God?

Application:

Know the Gospel Deeply

If we don’t know the real thing, we’ll fall for counterfeits.

Challenge: Spend this week reading Galatians 1 and writing out what the gospel means in your own words.

Stand Firm in the Face of Pressure

Just like Peter Parker, we will feel the pull to seek approval from others.

Challenge: Identify one area in your life where you’ve been tempted to compromise your faith. Pray for strength to stand firm.

Landing :

No Other Gospel, No Other Hope

Wrap up by summarizing the key idea:

• The gospel is not about our effort—it’s about Jesus.

• If we try to earn salvation, we lose it.

• The pressure to conform is real, but God calls us to stand firm.

Final Challenge:

This week, when you feel tempted to seek approval from people, stop and ask yourself: Am I living for their approval, or am I standing in the truth of the gospel?

Pray