The Wave

Week of November 14, 2010

Galatians 6:1-10

Andrew Bacon

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Galatians 6:1-10

Preparations
§ Read Galatians, Chapter 6:1-10
§ Read the study guide and familiarize yourself with the lesson. Make sure
you read the “Take Aways” section so you know what the aim of this
study is. However, be open to other truths as they may present
themselves!
§ Print this guide out so you can have it handy if needed.
§ Pray for your ability to guide and for those in your group!

Hang Time
§ Catch up/Small talk

Recap and Share

§ Ask how they would summarize Chapter 5:13-26 from last week.

§ In last week’s study, Paul explains how to do good by relying on the Spirit.
He showed them what is a result of our flesh and of the Spirit.

Read and Ask

§ Read Galatians 6:1-10. (Have someone read each section, separated by
paragraphs. Go around the group until everyone reads and continue until
the end of the chapter.)

§ Ask for some General Observations: If no one gets to these on their own,
here are some great questions to get things rolling…
- How does this connect with the second part of Chapter 5?
- What does Paul seem to be doing in this Chapter?

Study

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Chapter 6:1-5 – Be Careful and Help

V. 1a: Who is Paul referring to when he says “you who are spiritual”?

What do you think “caught in a sin” refers to?

Based on the wording, it is safe to say that Paul is describing a situation where
one is “overtaken” by a sin, therefore commits a sin. There are many different
examples of sinful acts and it seems that this type is a sin was unintentional and
the person is repentant. Thus, “restore him gently”. (This might not apply to
one who is unrepentant.)

V. 1b: Should we watch ourselves or others more? Why?

What do you think “burdens” means?

In view of the previous verse, I assume it relates to a particular struggle of an

individual. This could mean that a person is continually in need of help, possible
creating annoyance for the stronger person.

Read Matthew 5:41-42: How could this portion of the Sermon on the Mount
relate? While both principles to not mirror each other, Jesus does say that we
should give and go beyond what we might want to. This would apply to bearing
one another’s burdens.

What do you the “law of Christ” is referring to?

Read Matthew 22:38-40: Could this be the “law of Christ”?

In light of Verse 3, if you are the stronger person, how easy is it to think you are
something better than you really are?

Is anyone above helping a weaker brother or sister in Christ? What does Paul
say about that?

V. 4: How do you test your own actions?

You look for the source. If it is you, then you are all about yourself, but if you
see God working through you, you realize that you offer nothing, and are in
humility.

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If you know God is the one doing the work in you, is there a need to compare to
others?

V. 5: I thought Paul said bear one another’s burdens earlier. Why does he say
to carry our own load now?

Paul is using two different words in v. 2 and 5. The first is translated into
“burden” which means it is too much to bear alone. The second is translated
into “load”, meaning that basic responsibility that all of us as Christians have and
must carry ourselves.

V. 6: Who is our instructor? What does this mean?

Well, it seems unrelated to the earlier text, but it actually fits. You see, typically,
in these times, the pupils would pay a tax so that the instructors could get paid.
Paul is saying they should give freely for what they are learning. It is a practical
lesson in bearing burdens! The teacher is helping with spiritual burdens, and the
pupil helps with physical burdens.

Chapter 6:7-10 – Growing Good in Your Garden

V. 7: If you plant a watermelon seed, will you get a pumpkin? In this very same
way, Paul says that if you plant evil, you will not harvest good. BUT if you sow
(plant) good, you will reap good.

If we please the sinful nature (V. 8), what do we get from ourselves?

If we please the Spirit, from it we will get what?

Notice the difference? The sinful nature is from us and the result is destruction,
but the good things come from the Spirit!

Here is the question: Are we guaranteed to get certain good things on this
earth? This is the trap of many people. We typically associate comfort and
things as “good”. While our eternal reward is guaranteed, our blessings on the
earth might look different than we are used to.

Why does Paul say not to give up in V. 9? Why is this so important? Why
should we continue to do good to one another?

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I like that Paul says that we have the “opportunity” to do good. As we see the
need, it is important that we don’t neglect giving good to others. Would you
rather hold on to your own good and see it diminish or give it away and watch
God multiply it?

In Closing, read Proverbs 3:27-28

Take Aways

§ Be quick to help someone who is struggling.

§ We must watch ourselves, that we do not slip into temptation, especially
with pride (6:3)
§ We all have our own responsibility to live as God desires. We cannot
blame anything on others in regards to this.
§ You reap what you sow. Sow evil, you get evil in return. Sow good, and
you receive good in return, especially eternally!
§ We should not withhold good from anyone when we are able!

Questions for Reflection

§ Is there anyone in your life that is struggling with that you need to help?
Or maybe you need to just be patient with them.
§ Have you made excuses for your lack of a relationship with God by
blaming it on others or circumstances?
§ Do you think too highly of yourself?
§ Are there ways you can remind yourself to give good when you have the
opportunity?

Wrap Up

§ Thank them for coming.

§ Remind them of next week and what time.
§ Let them know that they can invite someone else to join if they want.
§ Pray or take prayer requests.