Introduction: Most of our study of Galatians has focused on how we
live by the Spirit and by grace. Paul now turns his attention to how
we should relate with other members of the church. What should we do
about sin in the church? Does the nature of the sin matter? Does
the prominence of the member matter? On a recent church weekend
retreat, one member wanted to discuss this issue with me. We agreed
that everyone in the church is a sinner. We all need grace. A
distinction arises, however, when a member becomes a proponent of
sin. They not only sin, but they argue that sin should be accepted.
Let’s plunge into our study of the Bible and learn more!
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- Restoration
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- Read Galatians 6:1. What do you think it means to “catch”
another member in sin? (It could mean that you surprised
them or it could mean that they were “caught up” in sin.)
- Read Galatians 6:1. What do you think it means to “catch”
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- Does it make any difference?
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- Look again at Galatians 6:1. What is our goal once we
learn of the sin? (To restore the person.)
- Look again at Galatians 6:1. What is our goal once we
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- What do you think that means – to restore the person?
(To help them out of sin.)
- What do you think that means – to restore the person?
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- How does this work given that we are all sinners? (We
are all sinners, but Paul makes a distinction between
“you who are spiritual” and those “caught in a sin.”
It seems this is a sin that needs to be addressed.)
- How does this work given that we are all sinners? (We
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- How should we do this? By yelling at the sinner or
trying to embarrass the sinner? (The Bible tells us
to restore them “gently.” No yelling. No attempt to
embarrass.)
- How should we do this? By yelling at the sinner or
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- Let’s focus on the last part of Galatians 6:1. What is the
danger in restoring another person from their sin? (We may
be tempted.)
- Let’s focus on the last part of Galatians 6:1. What is the
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- Tempted by what? (The text does not say, but my first
reaction is that we should avoid being tempted by the
sin that we are trying to address.)
- Tempted by what? (The text does not say, but my first
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- Have you experienced this?
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- If the problem is looking deeply into the sin, what
does this suggest to us about watching television and
movies that deal with sin? (We get the exposure to
sin without the positive side of trying to help
another person out of sin.)
- If the problem is looking deeply into the sin, what
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- Read Galatians 6:2-3. When I read Galatians 6:1, I thought
the temptation was to engage in the same sort of sin as
the person who had been “caught.” This suggests a
different answer. What is it? (The sin problem here is
that I will think I’m superior to the person I’m helping
out of sin.)
- Read Galatians 6:2-3. When I read Galatians 6:1, I thought
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- If I’m helping another person out of sin, doesn’t
that automatically mean that I’m “better” when it
comes to this sin? (If we think that, Paul tells us
that we have been deceived. We are all sinners.)
- If I’m helping another person out of sin, doesn’t
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- One of the things Paul tells us to do is “carry each
other’s burdens.” If you are thinking all the time
that you are a better person than the one you are
trying to restore from sin, is there a practical
problem? (If you have an attitude of superiority,
that comes through. Surely, that kind of attitude
prevents you from being truly sympathetic. You are
not helping to carry that person’s burden.)
- One of the things Paul tells us to do is “carry each
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- Read Galatians 6:4. What does it mean to “test” our “own
actions?” (If you are like me, I’m not really tempted in
all areas of my life. Stealing money or murdering someone
are not things that tempt me. If I’m counseling someone
who likes to steal things, God tells me to consider the
areas in which I have a problem so that I will not feel
superior to the thief.)
- Read Galatians 6:4. What does it mean to “test” our “own
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- Wait a minute! I just wrote that we should not feel
superior to the thief, but the text tells us that we
can “take pride” in our self. How can we avoid
feeling superior and at the same time be proud about
our self? (We should not have pride based on the
fact that we are better than the person we are
helping. Rather, we should take pride in the fact
that we are making progress in our walk towards
righteousness.)
- Wait a minute! I just wrote that we should not feel
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- Doesn’t taking pride seem contrary to
understanding that it is the Holy Spirit
working in us that gives us progress towards
holiness? (I think the sense is that we rejoice
in victories over sin.)
- Doesn’t taking pride seem contrary to
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- Read Galatians 6:5. Why should we carry our “own load?”
(Paul has been writing about us carrying “each other’s”
burdens. Here, he tells us to carry our own burden. Once
again, I think the point is that when we realize our own
sins, it makes us feel less superior to others who face
different kinds of sins.)
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- Lifting Up the Instructor
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- Read Galatians 6:6. What does it mean to “share all good
things with his instructor?” (It means to support the
person who is teaching you.)
- Read Galatians 6:6. What does it mean to “share all good
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- Notice the kind of instruction that deserves support
-“instruction in the word.” What does that tell us
about people who teach a philosophy of life that is
not Bible based? (That instruction does not deserve
our support.)
- Notice the kind of instruction that deserves support
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- The Law of Return
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- Read Galatians 6:7. We understand that a farmer “reaps
what he sows.” How does this work when it comes to sin and
helping others get out of sin?
- Read Galatians 6:7. We understand that a farmer “reaps
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- Read Ecclesiastes 8:14 and Ecclesiastes 9:1-2. Should King
Solomon and Paul have a debate? They seem to completely
disagree! (Two things are going on. First, Solomon may be
saying that there are exceptions to the general rule.
Hebrews 11, especially Hebrews 11:35-38, agrees that
unfair things happen here on earth. However, that is not
the general rule. Plus, Hebrews 11 says that it will all
be made right when Jesus returns. Second, Solomon is
clearly depressed. Many Christians I know cite
Ecclesiastes 9:5 to prove the state of the dead. That is
foolishness. If that text is taken literally, it rejects
the promise of Hebrews 11 that all will be made right in
heaven. Solomon is simply depressed – and this fact
encourages those who struggle with depression.)
- Read Ecclesiastes 8:14 and Ecclesiastes 9:1-2. Should King
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- Read Galatians 6:8. Paul explains that the reaping he is
talking about is our eternal destination. That resolves
some of the conflict with Solomon. What have you observed?
Have you observed “pay back” even during life here on
earth?
- Read Galatians 6:8. Paul explains that the reaping he is
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- Read Galatians 6:9. What should we do if we feel “weary”
because of our good works? (We need to remind ourselves
that we will receive a reward if we do not give up!)
- Read Galatians 6:9. What should we do if we feel “weary”
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- Isn’t this contrary to the idea of grace? (Galatians
6:8 makes it hard to argue that Paul is talking about
two different things, eternal life versus rewards in
heaven. Instead, I think Paul tells us that those who
accept grace, those who choose to live by the leading
of the Holy Spirit, those who are walking the path to
righteousness, reflect good works in their life.)
- Isn’t this contrary to the idea of grace? (Galatians
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- Read Galatians 6:10. How has our “opportunity” changed
since the time of Paul? (We now know of needs world-wide.
We can hear about them instantly. Paul, on the other hand,
was talking about things that would catch the attention of
the believer.)
- Read Galatians 6:10. How has our “opportunity” changed
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- Does our “opportunity” seem overwhelming sometimes?
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- I read a research article about the use of local tax
revenues versus state tax revenues. The article found
that local people more intelligently used local taxes
on local problems. They understood the situation
better than those handing out revenue at the state
level. Would that concept apply to helping others?
We might be aware of world-wide problems, but helping
the people we know locally helps us give more
effective aid?
- I read a research article about the use of local tax
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- What does Paul say about making fellow believers a
priority when giving aid? (He says we should
“especially” help fellow believers.)
- What does Paul say about making fellow believers a
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- Friend, have you considered carefully how you can help
those around you? Did you notice that Paul gives us
specific instructions for helping? That means that our
help should be intentional. Paul encourages us to be
helpful by telling us that we will reap a reward for our
help. Will you consider what you can do to help others?
- Friend, have you considered carefully how you can help
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- Next week: Boasting in the Cross.