Off the Shelf Sunday School--Galatians

Christian Service (6:1-10)

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

1.????Christians should help each other in a loving way to overcome sinful ways. Those who are told to help are those who are more spiritual. These people would be elders or those who are well grounded in the Bible and their commitment to follow God’s will. Why does Paul warn that those who are helping should be careful not to fall into the same sins as the person they are helping? If someone is compassionate and loving, how might this draw the counselling person to condone the sin?

2.????The law of Christ is based on love. (Jn 13:34; 15:12) A legalistic counsellor would tend to condemn the sinner because the focus is on blaming and shaming for breaking the law. Christians following the law of love see themselves as fellow sinners. (Rom 3:20-24) Therefore, we are not to think highly of ourselves which leads to feeling superior to others.

3.????Christians are not to measure themselves by the failures or accomplishments of others. Each person is called to take up his own cross and follow Jesus. (Mt 16:24) Everyone will be judged by their deeds and so each person should focus on themselves and not competing with or envying others. (Jer 32:19; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:11-13)

4.????Christians have a responsibility to support their teachers in prayer, by giving them respect and in material goods and money.

5.?????Sowing seeds is an investment with the expectation of receiving future benefits. For the farmer this is harvesting crops. For the Christian, it means giving time, talents and money for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Paul says that those who spend their resources on temporary pleasures of the flesh, reap destruction. They have wasted their time, talents and money. In contrast, those who sow according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit will have eternal rewards. (Mt 6:19-21)

6.????????Paul instructs us to do good to everyone but especially to other Christians. By doing good to unbelievers, we are being salt and light that might lead others to Christ. By doing good to other Christians, we are building up the bonds of love and relationships as the Bride and Body of Christ. (Mt 5:13-16; 1 Thes 5:11; Eph 4:12)