|
LEADER'S GUIDE NOTE: This discussion is on the long side and you may wish to divide it into two sessions, the first ending at verse 6:5 and the second picking up with verse 6:6. As usual, answers are provided for only some of the questions. Many questions are primarily to stimulate discussion and there are no right or wrong answers. 1. If you belong to Christ (vs. 5:24) does that mean you will no longer have any sinful desires? No. As Christians we still have the capacity to sin and we will still sin, but we have been set free from sin's power over us. However, we must daily confess our sins to God and commit our sinful tendencies to God's control, and moment by moment draw upon the Holy Spirit's power to overcome them. 2. Does verse 25 mean that God is mainly interested in the spiritual part of our lives? Not at all. If we live by the Holy Spirit as Paul says we should do, that means submitting every aspect of our lives to God emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocationl. Paul says that because we're saved, we should live like it. The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don't letanything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life. 3. Do you want to win the approval of other people? (Philippians 2:3) Did you give the "Christian" answer of "no?" If so, you're deceiving yourself because everyone needs a certain amount of approval from others. If you go out of your way to win honors or win popularity because of your own selfish ambition, that's bad, that leads to being conceited and it also leads to you feeling envious of others who are more popular or have receive more honors than you. Certainly, we should look to God for approval and feel absolutely wonderful about his love for us, but that doesn't mean that we don't also need some earthly approval and help from others. This works two ways: just as you need approval and help from time to time, don't forget that others do too, so be generous offering approval and help to others. 4. What is the danger of correcting someone else's sin or wrong? Paul says one danger is that you may also be tempted to sin. For example, if someone tells you a nasty little secret about someone else, you may say to your friend, "you know, you really shouldn't gossip about Bill like that." But then you get to thinking, " that's a really juicy little morsel; I've got to tell someone about it." Or if a friend is looking at a picture in a porn magazine or on the Internet, you may approach him to say, "hey, that's not really good for you," but then he says, "yeah, but take a look at this. You've never seen a pair of gazebos like this before in your life." The second danger of correcting someone else is that you get to feel that you're better than he is. I know a woman who grew up in a home with a mother who was an alcoholic, kind of unusual, and today she is a gentle but persistent crusader against drugs and alcohol. I have the utmost respect for her she sets a good example, she's not in your face about it, and she has a powerful testimony of the problems that alcohol can cause in a family. But this woman has an unrelated but serious problem of her own and until very recently, any efforts to bring it to her attention, even very gently and lovingly, were met with an attitude of "that's not important; look at all these things I do; I'm better than that." The third danger is putting a barrier between you and the other person. Of making him reject Christ and Christians. 5. Do you ever think it would be easier to live as a hermit or alone on an island? No Christian should ever think that he is totally independent and doesn't need help from others, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others. The body of Christ the church functions only when all the members work together for the common good. 6. Why is it important to have Christian friends? Someone to gently point out your sins. Someone with the same Godly values and standards that you have, not living by earthly values. Someone to give you encouragement and help. Someone that you can encourage and help. 7. Do you ever compare yourself to someone else? Why? (Vs. 6:4) People look at the flaws in someone else to feel better about themselves. Others simply want reassurance that they are doing well. When you're tempted to compare yourself with someone else, compare yourself with Jesus for a dose of humility. His example will inspire you to do your very best and his loving acceptance will comfort you when you fall short. 8. What do you think Paul is saying in Verse 6:6? (1 Corinthians 9:7-12, 1 Timothy 5:17-18) Students should take care of the material needs of their teachers. It is easy to receive the benefit of good Biblical teaching and then take our spiritual leaders for granted, ignoring their physical and financial needs. We should care for our teachers with a generous spirit and show them honor and appreciation for all they have done. 9. Do you believe that you reap what you sow? (Vs. 6:7, Job 4:8) It is a natural law that you reap what you sow. If you plant corn, I think you'd be surprised to find a field of pumpkins five months later. Likewise, every action has a result. If you gossip, you're going to lose friends. If you lie, you're going to be known as a man of no integrity. Even though your sins and wrong may not be punished here, today, you can be sure that God is watching and there is no escape from His justice. 10. Do you find it hard to keep doing the right thing without thanks or encouragement? Yes (at least I do). That's one reason it's important to have some Christian friends to offer an occasional word of encouragement or thanks. In Verses 9-10, Paul challenged the Galatians to continue to do good and not get weary "for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up...we will reap eternal life." 11. In Verse 6:11, Paul says, "see what large letters I use..." What the meaning of this? Up to this point, Paul had dictated the letter and now he was writing the closing in his own hand. He did this with his other letters too to add emphasis to his closing words and to validate that the letter was genuine. It was very much like a signature and a hardwritten P.S. today. Did you know that a P.S. in a direct mail letter is read by seven times as many people as read the body of the letter itself? 12. What does Paul emphasize in the last six verses of the book? |
| Click here for Previous Lesson |
Click here for Handout Sheet |
| Click here for Complete Menu of Bible Studies and Christian Resources |
