Paul has written a forceful letter to the Galatians. In the fifth chapter he presented a practical application of the doctrine of grace. He portrayed the difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit as he laid out God’s plan for walking in the Spirit. The Spirit-led Christian thinks of others and how he can minister to them.
The tone in Chapter 6 is affectionate as Paul tenderly talks to the Galatians about their personal relationships as fellow believers. Christianity provides the liberty for believers to serve one another. Our key verse tells of a danger Christians face as they serve, the danger of becoming weary of serving. This chapter suggests five things a Christian should not be come weary of doing: forgiving others (v.1), helping others (v.2), working for God (v. 4), helping yourself (v.5), and supporting God and His servants (v.6).
KEY VERSE: “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
I. Bearing Burdens– Galatians 6:1 – 5
A. Restoring (v.1)
1. Who especially should believers help? What does the word “overtaken” imply? Please note vs.1 & 10.
2. What does it mean to “restore”? v.1
3. Who should be involved in the restoration process? Are there any cautions to be considered? V.1
4. How does the legalist treat those who have sinned? See Matthew 23:4; John 8:3 – 5; Luke 18:10,11.
5. Jesus compared helping a brother with a problem to eye surgery in Matthew 7:1-5. What does a brother who is planning to help another need first to do?
B. Bearing (v.2)
6. How should Christians support each other? (v.2)
7. What is the law of Christ? (v.2) See John 13:34,35; 15:12; Gal. 5:13.
8. What would happen if we loved each other in Christ to such an extent that we genuinely met our Christian brethren where they hurt? What would happen if we met them on their course to sinful and destructive ends and shared with them real self-giving love to help turn them in the way?
C. Deceiving (v.3)
9. When seeking to bear another burden, what attitude becomes self-deceiving? (v.3)
10. What is the answer to this problem of self-deception? See Romans 12:3; 2 Cor. 10:12; 1 Cor. 4:7.
D. Evaluating (v.4)
11. The word “proves” in verse 4 means to “put to the test”. What should we be proving? What standard should we use for comparison? See Philippians 2:5 – 8.
12. How is carrying one’s own load different from bearing the burden of others? (v.5)
II. Sharing Blessings– Galatians 6:6 – 10
A. Share with Teachers (v.6)
13. What is the responsibility of believers toward those who teach them the Word? (v.6)
14. Does what we do with material things have any bearing on how we value spiritual things? See Matthew 6:21.
B. Sharing in Harvest (v.7-8)
15. What is the law of cause and effect that is stated in verses 7 & 8?
16. What two contrasting lifestyles are mentioned once again? (v.7-8)
17. What outcomes are assured by God with regard to the sowing and reaping principle? (v.8)
C. Keep on Sharing (v.9,10)
18. How did Paul encourage the Christians to endure in service? (v. 9)
19. Knowing that we will reap what we sow, what spiritual responsibility do we have? (v.10)
20. How do you plan to apply this lesson in your life?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Adult/Teen Study Galatians lesson 8
Liberty From the Flesh!
The Galatians had been called to liberty from burdensome religious customs; but it was certainly not liberty to indulge freely in sin. Paul cautions against any perversion of this teaching on Christian liberty. Simply put, he is saying, “Do not make your freedom in Christ an excuse for self-indulgence.” Indulgence has no place in the life of a true believer. Serving one another in Christian love has every place. Paul wants to get the Galatians away from serving the demands of the law to the place of demonstrating their service for Christ. “It is not law on the outside, but love on the inside that makes the difference. We need another power within, and that power comes from the Holy Spirit of God.”
Warren Wiersbe wrote: “When we believe on Christ, the Spirit comes to dwell within us (Gal. 3:2). We are “born after the Spirit” as was Isaac (Gal. 4:29). It is the Holy Spirit in the heart who gives assurance of salvation (Gal. 4:6); and it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to live for Christ and glorify Him. The Holy Spirit is not simply a “divine influence”; He is a divine Person, just as are the Father and the Son. What God the Father planned for you, and God the Son purchased for you on the cross, God the Spirit personalizes for you and applies to your life as you yield to Him.”
In this lesson we shall consider the liberty from the flesh because of the Holy Spirit.
KEY VERSE: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” Galatians 5:16
I. Called to Liberty – Gal. 5:13 – 15
1. What are believers called to? (v.13)
2. What are believers cautioned about? (v.13)
3. What are believers commanded to do? (v.13)
4. How can a believer fulfill the law? (v.14) See also Romans 13:8-14.
5. What were the Galatians called to guard against? (v.15)
6. Is there an answer to this problem of strife and contention between believers?
II. Contrary Desires – Gal. 5:16 – 18
7. What kind of solution does Paul propose to the Galatian churches and our local church families? What would happen if the Galatians lived by the power of the Holy Spirit? (v.16)
8. What can keep a Christian from living for the Lord and doing what He desires to do for the Lord? (v.17) See also Romans 7:18 – 23.
9. What will free us from the bondage of the law, yet will fulfill the law? How can the Galatian Christians lead godly lives? (v.18)
III. Characteristics of the Flesh – Gal. 5:19 – 21
10. Paul uses the word flesh to describe selfish passions and affections of the old nature. Consider “the works of the flesh”. What words need further study so that you understand the nature of this fleshly work? (v.19 – 21)
11. These works seem to be categorized into various categories. What religious sins does the sinful nature produce? (v.20)
12. How many acts of the flesh are listed? Is this an exhaustive list?
13. What warning is given to those who live sinful lives? (v.21)
IV. Controlled by the Spirit – Gal. 5:22 – 26
14. What happens to a Christian who is under the control of the Holy Spirit? (v.22 – 23)
15. What is the fruit of the Spirit? How do the Christian graces affect all areas of the believer’s life? (v.22 – 23)
16. What happened to our flesh when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior? (v.24) See Romans 6:1 – 12 and Galatians 2:20.
17. What is meant by the words affections and lusts? (v.24)
18. Who lives in the believer and gives him life? (v.25) See Ephesians 1:12, 13; 3:14-17; 4:30; & Romans 8:9 – 16.
The Galatians had been called to liberty from burdensome religious customs; but it was certainly not liberty to indulge freely in sin. Paul cautions against any perversion of this teaching on Christian liberty. Simply put, he is saying, “Do not make your freedom in Christ an excuse for self-indulgence.” Indulgence has no place in the life of a true believer. Serving one another in Christian love has every place. Paul wants to get the Galatians away from serving the demands of the law to the place of demonstrating their service for Christ. “It is not law on the outside, but love on the inside that makes the difference. We need another power within, and that power comes from the Holy Spirit of God.”
Warren Wiersbe wrote: “When we believe on Christ, the Spirit comes to dwell within us (Gal. 3:2). We are “born after the Spirit” as was Isaac (Gal. 4:29). It is the Holy Spirit in the heart who gives assurance of salvation (Gal. 4:6); and it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to live for Christ and glorify Him. The Holy Spirit is not simply a “divine influence”; He is a divine Person, just as are the Father and the Son. What God the Father planned for you, and God the Son purchased for you on the cross, God the Spirit personalizes for you and applies to your life as you yield to Him.”
In this lesson we shall consider the liberty from the flesh because of the Holy Spirit.
KEY VERSE: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” Galatians 5:16
I. Called to Liberty – Gal. 5:13 – 15
1. What are believers called to? (v.13)
2. What are believers cautioned about? (v.13)
3. What are believers commanded to do? (v.13)
4. How can a believer fulfill the law? (v.14) See also Romans 13:8-14.
5. What were the Galatians called to guard against? (v.15)
6. Is there an answer to this problem of strife and contention between believers?
II. Contrary Desires – Gal. 5:16 – 18
7. What kind of solution does Paul propose to the Galatian churches and our local church families? What would happen if the Galatians lived by the power of the Holy Spirit? (v.16)
8. What can keep a Christian from living for the Lord and doing what He desires to do for the Lord? (v.17) See also Romans 7:18 – 23.
9. What will free us from the bondage of the law, yet will fulfill the law? How can the Galatian Christians lead godly lives? (v.18)
III. Characteristics of the Flesh – Gal. 5:19 – 21
10. Paul uses the word flesh to describe selfish passions and affections of the old nature. Consider “the works of the flesh”. What words need further study so that you understand the nature of this fleshly work? (v.19 – 21)
11. These works seem to be categorized into various categories. What religious sins does the sinful nature produce? (v.20)
12. How many acts of the flesh are listed? Is this an exhaustive list?
13. What warning is given to those who live sinful lives? (v.21)
IV. Controlled by the Spirit – Gal. 5:22 – 26
14. What happens to a Christian who is under the control of the Holy Spirit? (v.22 – 23)
15. What is the fruit of the Spirit? How do the Christian graces affect all areas of the believer’s life? (v.22 – 23)
16. What happened to our flesh when we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior? (v.24) See Romans 6:1 – 12 and Galatians 2:20.
17. What is meant by the words affections and lusts? (v.24)
18. Who lives in the believer and gives him life? (v.25) See Ephesians 1:12, 13; 3:14-17; 4:30; & Romans 8:9 – 16.
19. In light of the indwelling Holy Spirit, how should we live our lives? (v.25)
20. What did Paul tell the Galatian Chr
istians not to do? (v.26)Conclusion/Application
Galatians 5:13 – 26 is perhaps the most crucial paragraph in the entire closing section of Galatians; for in it Paul has explained the ministry of the Holy Spirit that enables the believer to enjoy liberty in Christ. The Holy Spirit alone can give us freedom from sin and self. He enables us to fulfill the law of love, to overcome the flesh, and to bear fruit that glorifies God. So then what should the believer be doing? Should he not be walking in the Spirit? What is your life characterized by; the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit?
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
TAKE TIME TO PRAY!
“My CREED LEADS ME TO think that prayer is efficacious, and surely a day’s asking God to overrule all events for good is not lost. Still there is a great feeling that when a man is praying he is doing nothing, and this feeling makes us give undue importance to work, sometimes even to the hurrying over or even to the neglect of prayer.
Do not we rest in our day too much on the arm of flesh? Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Do not he eyes Of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth still to show Himself strong on behalf of those who put their trust in Him? Oh that God would give me more practical faith in Him! Where is now the Lord God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him.” – James Gilmour of Mongolia
Do not we rest in our day too much on the arm of flesh? Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Do not he eyes Of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth still to show Himself strong on behalf of those who put their trust in Him? Oh that God would give me more practical faith in Him! Where is now the Lord God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him.” – James Gilmour of Mongolia
James 5:16-18 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Take Three Challenge!
Join the challenge. Prayer 3 times a day, morning, noon and evening. Pray specifically for God to revive His people. The challenge; Pray specifically for lost to be saved during the special meetings at Bluelick Bible Church September 27 - Oct. 2. Pray for at least 3 minutes during those three planned prayer times.
Psalm 85:6
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Psalm 85:6
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Besober Be Vigilant
.jpg)
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:KJV
Part of our Christian walk is to be alert to danger that is around us. The Scriptures are filled with warnings. This lion cub was one of five that surrounded us in the bush safari. We were in a open land rover with the ability to move away from the lions. We were curious but aware of the danger. Christians need to be alert to the many dangers that surround us as we move through this life. One of the dangers that we face is that of allowing ourselves to be shacked by religion rather than living in God's Grace.
For those interested I am attaching our next study in Galatians.
Galatians
Adult/Bible Study Lesson 7 September 13, 2009
Shackled or Unshackled?– Galatians 5:1-12
Adult/Bible Study Lesson 7 September 13, 2009
Shackled or Unshackled?– Galatians 5:1-12
“Watch Out!” “Stop!” We are all familiar with words of warning shouted at times of impending danger. Remember the concerned cry of a parent who protected us by a warning to be careful? Sometimes we wisely responded and we were spared an injury. Other times we refused to listen and suffered the hurtful consequences. Galatians is Paul’s warning to the Gentile believers. If they heed his warning, they will be spared the dangers of legalism.
Galatians 5:1 is both a summary and a transition – a transition from Paul’s doctrine of liberty (chapters 3 & 4)to his life of liberty (chapters 5 & 6). The Gentile Christians had been set free from sin by faith in Christ, but they were making themselves dependent upon a system of regulations and rules. Paul speaks out: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” He is warning them not to allow their Christian liberty to be endangered by legalism. Keep in focus the liberty that is in Christ Jesus!
KEY VERSE: “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ” Galatians 5:5
I. Stand in Your Freedom – Gal. 5:1
1. What command did Paul set before the Galatians? (5:1)
2. Why did Paul challenge the Christians to be resolute? (5:1)
3. What implications come along with the picture of a “yoke of bondage”?
4. What did Jesus say about His yoke in Matthew 11:29-30?
II. A Strong Warning – Gal. 5:2-6
5. Paul is very concerned and warns them about becoming entangled in legalism. What four consequences does he indicate could happen if they follow circumcision and the law? (5:2-5)
a. V.2______________________________________________
b. V.3______________________________________________
c. V.4______________________________________________
d. V.5______________________________________________
6. How did Paul sum up the significance of circumcision? (5:6)
7. What really matters? (5:6)
8. What does “falling from grace” mean in this context? (5:4)
9. Up to verse 5 Paul has been addressing the Galatians as “you”, what change does he make in verse 5? What is he emphasizing in this verse?
III. Severe Condemnation – Gal. 5:7-12
10. How did Paul describe the Galatians’ early Christian experience? (5:7)
11. What question does Paul ask them? What is being referred to by the word “truth”?
12. Did this hindrance come from God? (5:8)
13. How had false teaching affected the Galatian church? (5:8-9) See also Matthew 16:6 & 12
14. What is the cure for the problem of the leaven? See 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7.
15. Why was Paul optimistic about the Galatians? (5:10)
16. What was Paul’s desire regarding the one who was troubling them with false doctrine? (5:10)
17. Reading between the lines, it seems that these Judaizers were accusing Paul of preaching circumcision when it worked for him. How does he refute such accusations? (5:11)
18. What is true about the cross? (5:11) See 1 Corinthians 1:23.
19. What strong words did Paul have for the Judaizers? (5:12)
Galatians 5:1 is both a summary and a transition – a transition from Paul’s doctrine of liberty (chapters 3 & 4)to his life of liberty (chapters 5 & 6). The Gentile Christians had been set free from sin by faith in Christ, but they were making themselves dependent upon a system of regulations and rules. Paul speaks out: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” He is warning them not to allow their Christian liberty to be endangered by legalism. Keep in focus the liberty that is in Christ Jesus!
KEY VERSE: “For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ” Galatians 5:5
I. Stand in Your Freedom – Gal. 5:1
1. What command did Paul set before the Galatians? (5:1)
2. Why did Paul challenge the Christians to be resolute? (5:1)
3. What implications come along with the picture of a “yoke of bondage”?
4. What did Jesus say about His yoke in Matthew 11:29-30?
II. A Strong Warning – Gal. 5:2-6
5. Paul is very concerned and warns them about becoming entangled in legalism. What four consequences does he indicate could happen if they follow circumcision and the law? (5:2-5)
a. V.2______________________________________________
b. V.3______________________________________________
c. V.4______________________________________________
d. V.5______________________________________________
6. How did Paul sum up the significance of circumcision? (5:6)
7. What really matters? (5:6)
8. What does “falling from grace” mean in this context? (5:4)
9. Up to verse 5 Paul has been addressing the Galatians as “you”, what change does he make in verse 5? What is he emphasizing in this verse?
III. Severe Condemnation – Gal. 5:7-12
10. How did Paul describe the Galatians’ early Christian experience? (5:7)
11. What question does Paul ask them? What is being referred to by the word “truth”?
12. Did this hindrance come from God? (5:8)
13. How had false teaching affected the Galatian church? (5:8-9) See also Matthew 16:6 & 12
14. What is the cure for the problem of the leaven? See 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7.
15. Why was Paul optimistic about the Galatians? (5:10)
16. What was Paul’s desire regarding the one who was troubling them with false doctrine? (5:10)
17. Reading between the lines, it seems that these Judaizers were accusing Paul of preaching circumcision when it worked for him. How does he refute such accusations? (5:11)
18. What is true about the cross? (5:11) See 1 Corinthians 1:23.
19. What strong words did Paul have for the Judaizers? (5:12)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
