Paul taught that the Church should be a place that welcomed people of all tribes and nations. In his day, there was a separation of Jews from Gentiles which had to be overcome. The Church is described as a building, a family and a temple.

Paul appeals to the Galatians not to follow the zealous Jewish teachers. He reminds them of their care and honour for him when he was with them even though he was ill. Paul uses the Old testament story of Ishmael and Isaac to illustrate that the Galatians belonged to the new covenant, not the old.

Paul greets the churches in Galatia, highlighting his calling and authority. He immediately starts to address the problem that has arisen - other Jewish teachers have undermined the gospel and taught ‘another gospel’.

Paul addresses Christian community living which is of secondary importance but could cause division. he calls those who have need to have more rules as weak in terms of faith. He advises respect and understanding and a concern for one’s own behaviour rather than criticism of others.

Writing to those who knew the Law of Moses, Paul uses the example of marriage to demonstrate the breaking of the law that binds a woman to a man when the man dies. The same radical change is made for Christians who are in a new relationship with God.

Paul explains how Abraham is an example of faith for every believer, Jew or Gentile. Justification is by faith is not just a beginning but a continuing process that goes on through life. Circumcision is a symbol - it does not save.

A plot to kill Paul makes him decide to travel by land to Jerusalem with a large team. On the way he visits the churches he has established to encourage them and organise leadership. At Troas, he shared with the church at length; Eutychus fell out of a window and died but then was resurrected.

Paul moves to Corinth where he has a team to help him spread the gospel. They leave the synagogue along with the leader of the synagogue who had become a believer. Paul then travels back to his sending church in Antioch in Syria before his next mission.

Paul and his team visits Thessalonica where there is open opposition from the Jews. He moves on to Berea where they are more receptive until men come from Thessalonica to disrupt the mission. Paul moves on to Athens but Silas and Timothy stay to strengthen the church.

Paul went to Philippi. He met Lydia at the place of prayer. She responded to the Gospel message. A slave girl disrupted Paul's work until he cast out the evil spirit from her in the name of Jesus, causing her owners to lose income. They took Paul and Silas to the magistrates, who beat and imprisoned them. Overnight God set them free through an earthquake. The jailer was saved and the magistrates escorted Paul and Silas out of the city.