Finding Freedom in Christ by Portia Collins: An 8-Week Galatians Study Review, Summary, and Who It’s For

“Finding Freedom in Christ by Portia Collins book cover for an 8-week Galatians Bible study with video links, Crossway paperback for women’s small groups”

Release: August 12, 2025
Format: Paperback with video links in every week
Length: 192 pages
Audience: Women’s small groups and personal study
Ratings snapshot: 4.8 out of 5 (13 reviews at time of writing)

Why I’d buy it today

Short answer. This study moves women from grinding for approval to resting in Christ. It is exegetical without being academic, practical without being shallow, and the built-in videos lower the barrier for first-time leaders.

Who it helps right now

  • Women who feel tugged between legalism and license
  • New believers who want a guided first pass through Galatians
  • Busy moms who need short daily portions with real substance
  • Leaders who want structured questions and simple weekly videos

My recommendation
Start a group of 8 to 12. Order all copies in one cart so your affiliate earns on the whole purchase, and your people start together. If you are solo, buy paperback and use the videos as a weekly checkpoint.

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Summary in plain language

Galatians is Paul’s rescue mission for churches drifting from gospel freedom. Portia Collins walks you through the letter passage by passage and keeps the focus on Christ’s finished work. Each week pairs historical context, clear definitions, careful observation, and questions that pull the truth into real life. The spine of the study is grace. Not performance. Not vibes. Not guilt. Grace. By the end, women know why Christ had to die, why the Spirit is better than the flesh, and why adoption is the end of spiritual slavery.

What this study does well

  1. Exegetical and accessible. Definitions, timelines, and notes remove fog without talking down to the reader.
  2. Defends against two ditches. Legalism and antinomianism both get exposed by the text.
  3. Leader friendly. Consistent layout, predictable time demands, and a helpful video for each week.
  4. Heart application. Questions invite repentance and faith, not just correct answers.
  5. Right size for real life. Daily portions can fit a nap window or lunch break.

Possible drawbacks to weigh

  • Not a commentary. Readers wanting Greek syntax charts or advanced secondary sources will need a supplement.
  • Pacing is gentle by design. Highly driven groups may want optional “go deeper” add-ons. I include some below.

Week-by-week map with one-line takeaways

Use these as subheads inside your post for long-tail search.

  1. Galatians 1:1–10 — The Only Gospel
    Jesus plus anything becomes nothing. Guard the message at the start.
  2. Galatians 1:11–2:10 — Paul’s Story and God’s Call
    Grace makes former enemies of Christ into servants of Christ.
  3. Galatians 2:11–21 — Justified by Faith, Not Works
    The cross is not an accessory. It is the ground under your feet.
  4. Galatians 3:1–14 — Begun by the Spirit
    Stop trying to finish in the flesh what God began by the Spirit.
  5. Galatians 3:15–29 — Promise Over Performance
    God’s promise to Abraham stands taller than your track record.
  6. Galatians 4 — Sons and Heirs
    Adoption replaces slavery. You call God Father now.
  7. Galatians 5 — Freedom That Bears Fruit
    Freedom is not a license. The Spirit grows new fruit in a new life.
  8. Galatians 6 — Restore, Sow, Do Good
    A gospel people carry burdens, plant to the Spirit, and keep doing good.

Best for these readers

  • Women’s groups seeking a clear, gospel-centered study
  • Mothers and students with limited time windows
  • New Christians who need a safe first step into Bible study habits
  • Long-time church members who feel burned out by performance
  • Small churches without staff support for women’s ministry

Who might want a different fit

  • Seminary cohorts or women wanting technical exegesis
  • Readers seeking a narrative devotional rather than a structured workbook

Leader guide and meeting plan

Meeting length: 60 to 75 minutes
Flow:

  1. Opening prayer and check-in (10)
  2. Watch Portia’s short intro video for the week (5)
  3. Read the week’s passage out loud twice (10)
  4. Discuss 4 to 6 questions below (35)
  5. Close with Scripture and prayer requests (5)

Leader tips

  • Rotate readers so everyone handles Scripture with their own voice.
  • Keep the best question for the middle. Begin simple, end with application.
  • Invite silent thinkers in with gentle “What would you add” prompts.
  • End every week with one action of obedience and one person to serve.

Discussion questions you can use this week

  • Where are you most tempted to add something to Christ in order to feel secure with God
  • How does Paul’s testimony in Galatians 1 free you from both pride and shame
  • What would it look like to “walk by the Spirit” for one ordinary day in your life
  • Which fruit of the Spirit feels most stunted right now and why
  • How can our group restore someone gently without ignoring sin
  • What will change in your home this week if adoption truth lands in your heart

Kindle or paperback

Kindle

  • Instant start. Easy highlighting. Lower price during promos.
  • Good for travel and moms with one-hand reading.

Paperback

  • Write directly in the margins.
  • Best for groups and leaders.
  • Visual design helps pacing and focus.

Concerns and theological notes

  • The study’s strength is clear gospel application. If your group includes women from different traditions, remind everyone that justification, adoption, and sanctification are defined by Scripture, not by our feelings. Use Galatians 2:16 and 3:24 as anchor texts.
  • Add a ten minute “how to read” primer in week one. Teach observe, interpret, apply. Portia models this, and a quick demonstration will give new believers confidence.

Verdict

Five stars for clarity, warmth, and fidelity to the text. It will not overwhelm a new believer and it will still press a seasoned believer to repent of self-reliance. If your women’s ministry needs one study this fall, this is a safe and fruitful choice.

Buy the book on Amazon


Comparison shoppers will ask

  • Finding Freedom in Christ vs. Jen Wilkin’s studies
    Portia’s is more guided and shorter per day. Wilkin’s can push longer weekly commitments.
  • Finding Freedom in Christ vs. Lifeway studies on Galatians
    This study leans more into historical context with tight application. Lifeway often adds more fill-in structure and leader helps.
  • Finding Freedom in Christ vs. N. T. Wright’s For Everyone on Galatians
    Wright offers pastoral commentary. Portia offers a workbook you can live in.

Add-on resources for your group

  • Print a one-page “Galatians at a glance” with date, author, audience, and key verses.
  • Memory verses: Galatians 2:20, 3:26, 5:1, 5:22–23, 6:9.
  • Testimony night in week 7. Each woman shares one way grace has changed her patterns.
  • Service project in week 8. “Do good to everyone, especially the household of faith.”

Final pastoral note

Galatians frees tired women from the lie that God loves good performers. This study gives them Scripture, space, and a gentle path to Christ. That is why I am comfortable steering churches, homeschool co-ops, and moms groups toward it.

If you want, I will also draft the two follow-up posts, plus a short YouTube script that reads three takeaways and points viewers to your review and Amazon link.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Finding Freedom in Christ” by Portia Collins about
An 8-week study of Galatians that helps women understand gospel freedom, justification by faith, life in the Spirit, and Christian adoption, with short readings, reflection questions, and weekly intro videos.

Is this Galatians study beginner friendly
Yes. It is exegetical but accessible. New believers and first-time group leaders can use it without extra resources.

How long does the study take
Eight weeks. Plan for 15–25 minutes per day and a 60–75 minute weekly group meeting.

Does the book include videos
Yes. Each week includes a link to a short video from Portia Collins that introduces the week’s focus and helps leaders get started.

Is “Finding Freedom in Christ” good for women’s small groups
Yes. It was written for personal use and groups. The layout, questions, and weekly videos make it easy to lead.

What age range is this best for
Late teens through adult women. Mature middle school groups with a mentor can also benefit.

What does it teach about legalism and grace
Galatians centers the finished work of Christ. The study shows why we are justified by faith and how grace frees us from both legalism and lawlessness.

Are there discussion questions included
Yes. Every week includes guided questions for observation, interpretation, and application.

How does this compare to other Galatians studies
It is more structured than a devotional, shorter per day than many workbook studies, and includes weekly videos. Readers wanting deep academic detail may add a commentary.

Can I lead this study without prior experience
Yes. Follow the weekly flow, use the video, read the passage out loud, then work through the questions. Keep prayer and application at the end.

Should I buy paperback or Kindle
Paperback is best for groups and margin notes. Kindle helps with highlighting and quick search. Many leaders use paperback and keep Kindle for travel.

What group size works best
Eight to twelve women. Larger groups should split into tables for the discussion time.

What are the main themes covered
Justification by faith, adoption, life in the Spirit, freedom and fruit, restoration, and doing good to the household of faith.

Who is Portia Collins
A Bible teacher and founder of She Shall Be Called. She serves with Revive Our Hearts and writes to grow Bible literacy among women.

Where can I buy the book
It is available at major retailers and Amazon in paperback and Kindle. Add all copies to one cart if you are ordering for a group.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Overall: Gospel-strong, leader-simple, group-ready.


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