Study GuideJune 23-August 18, 2013

Freedom Fighters (Introduction) ................................................................................................4 A Continued Study Through Galatians

Don’t Re-shackle (Lesson 1, June 23) .........................................................................................6 Galatians 5:1-6

Broken Stride (Lesson 2, June 30) .............................................................................................8 Galatians 5:7-12

Free-For-All? (Lesson 3, July 7) ................................................................................................10 Galatians 5:13-15

The Battle Within (Lesson 4, July 14) .......................................................................................12 Galatians 5:16-18

Undesired Outcomes (Lesson 5, July 21) .................................................................................14 Galatians 5:19-21

Keep In Step (Lesson 6, July 28) .............................................................................................16 Galatians 5:22-26

Pull Yourselves Together (Lesson 7, August 4) ...........................................................................18 Galatians 6:1-6

Delayed Gratification (Lesson 8, August 11) ............................................................................20 Galatians 6:7-10

Bragging Rights (Lesson 9, August 18) .....................................................................................22 Galatians 6:11-18

Table of Contents

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IntroductionAs is often said, freedom is not free. It is expensive. It has to be fought for. And, once freedom is secured, there is often a struggle to protect and preserve that freedom. Freedom is costly, and this is why it can only be obtained and protected if it is greatly valued. If freedom is not treasured, then it will be sacrificed.

Throughout Galatians 1-4, the Apostle Paul labored to make the point that Jesus paid the ultimate price to secure freedom for his people. If we value freedom, then we will value what Jesus has done for us. In Galatians 5-6, Paul calls the Galatians, and us, to be freedom fighters. This is not because we need to work hard to purchase our freedom. Jesus has already done that. Rather, he calls us to fight in order to secure and protect the freedom that Jesus bought for us. Throughout chapters 5-6, you will see Paul warning us against any possible threat to the freedom for which Jesus has set us free.

The Threat of Bad CompanyThroughout Galatians 1-4 Paul has been combating other teachers who have been influencing the Galatians. Paul had originally come to them with the grace-filled, freedom-giving gospel of Jesus. Then some other teachers came to them with a rulesbased, freedom-squelching message. Paul believed that these teachers were motivated by the selfish desire to gain their own fame and following (4:17). Paul, by way of contrast, longs for the Galatians to experience freedom.

In Galatians 5:1-12, Paul gives a strong plea for the Galatians to distance themselves not only from the false gospel that they have embraced, but also from those who taught it to them. He calls the Galatians to stand firm in their freedom and not to allow anyone to make them slaves again.

As we consider the message of Galatians 5-6, it is natural for us to consider the voices to which we listen. Are we

surrounding ourselves with friends who have strong legalistic tendencies? Are we reading books and listening to podcasts from people who draw lines in the sand that were never drawn by Jesus? Just because someone is a powerful speaker or a magnetic personality does not mean that they are speaking the truth of God. We all must beware of any influence that would lead us away from freedom and toward a life of rule-based enslavement.

The Threat of Self-IndulgenceSo, God is not interested in us living in a slavish, rule-based relationship with him? Does this then mean that he wants us to follow every impulse that we have? Is that the proper expression of freedom? Should we say yes to every impulse to look, eat, drink, touch, and speak? Does freedom mean that we do whatever comes to our mind in the moment?

Paul anticipates these very questions. This is why, in Galatians 5:13-15 he warns us that our freedom was not given so that we would use it as an excuse to indulge our selfish desires. This is a waste of our freedom. Instead, our freedom was given to us so that we would no longer need to think about ourselves all the time. We are now free to serve others.

Indulging the flesh, according to Paul, will not lead to freedom. Instead it will lead to destructive and pain-inducing activities (5:19-21). Instead, freedom will come when we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Every believer is indwelt by the Spirit (4:6), and that Spirit leads us to life-giving relationships with God and with one another. He fills us with the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-26) and gets us away from our self-consumption so that we can care for the needs of others (6:1-6). If we follow the lead of the Spirit now, we will end up saying no to many fleeting pleasures. But we won’t regret it in the longrun (6:7-10). He will lead us to greater pleasures and greater freedom.

Freedom Fighters (Introduction)A Study Through Galatians 5-6

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The Threat of Misdirected BraggingFinally, Paul warns us against making our boast in the wrong thing. He talks about the misguided teachers who boast about getting others to follow slavish rules (6:12-13). Then he proclaims that his one and only boast is in cross of Jesus.

Think about that for a moment. Paul boasted not about what he did. Instead he boasted about what someone else did for him. He didn’t run up to people and say, “Let me talk to you about how spiritual I am.” Instead he ran up to people and said, “Let me tell you how amazing Jesus is.” Misdirected bragging leads to slavery because we are self-consumed and we are obligated to keep up our own “impressive” accomplishments. Boasting in God, however, leads to freedom because he never wavers or changes. We would do well to follow Paul’s lead and make our boast all about Christ.

Dive InGalatians 5-6 is intensely practical. Paul builds on all the doctrine that he taught in chapters 1-4 and calls the Galatians to put their freedom into practice. Prepare yourself to dive in, interface with God through his Word, and be called to practical ways to live out the freedom for which Jesus set you free. After all, that freedom was costly, and it would be a shame to waste it.

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1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Main PointAlthough Christ has purchased freedom for his people, we can still choose to live in practical slavery.

IntroductionThe movie The Shawshank Redemption chronicles the lives of several men living in a prison. In one powerful scene an inmate who has spent most of his life in prison gets the news that he is going to be released. Instead of rejoicing, he attempts to commit another crime so that they will let him stay. He became so accustomed to imprisonment that the thought of freedom frightened him. In the end, he preferred slavery to freedom.

But this would never happen with any of us, right? Wouldn’t we always choose freedom, if given the opportunity? It seems unthinkable that we would ever need someone to command us to lay down our chains and enjoy the freedom provided for us, and yet this is exactly what Paul finds himself having to do with the Galatians. They have willingly abandoned the freedom that Christ bought for them, and they have chosen to reshackle, living as slaves instead of God’s children.

In this lesson you will be challenged to explore why slavery can often be tempting to us, and you will be invited to do all that is in your power to live in (and enjoy) the freedom for which Jesus set us free.

Question for Family Discussion1. Jesus sets us free from many burdens. What is one burden

from which you are thankful to be set free?

Getting Started2. Share about a time when you had to stand firm against

someone who was pressuring you.

3. How can passivity lead to some form of slavery?

Digging InRead Galatians 5:1-6.

4. According to verse 1, what are we called to do about the freedom that Jesus purchased for us?

5. Verses 2-3 place circumcision at the center of the discus-sion. According to verse 3, why does Paul give such a sharp warning against taking on circumcision?

Don’t Re-shackle (Lesson 1, June 23)Galatians 5:1-6

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6. Throughout Galatians, Paul uses circumcision as a symbol for attempting to gain access into God’s family through good behavior and rule-keeping. Why does this kind of life undercut Christ’s value to us (verse 2)?

7. In verse 4 Paul talks about being alienated from Christ, not because of gross immorality, but because we want to gain God’s favor without him. Why do you think it is appealing to try to be justified before God based on our own actions?

8. In contrast to trying to gain our own righteousness (verse 4), Paul talks about placing our hope in another righteousness. According to verse 5 how do we await this righteousness?

9. According to verse 6, ritual obedience is not at the center of our relationship with God, but rather faith expressing itself through love. Why do you think Paul includes the phrase expressing itself through love, instead of just talking about faith by itself?

Taking it to Heart10. What are some threats to you experiencing the freedom

that Jesus purchased for you?

11. What is a practical way that you can “stand firm” in the freedom for which Jesus set you free?

12. Paul fights for the freedom of the Galatians and he calls them to fight to maintain their own freedom. How can you actively fight for others to experience the freedom that Jesus has made available?

Notes

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7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves.

Main PointWhen we stray from the truth of Jesus, we stray from freedom.

IntroductionI love to read, and I will often leave any book that I am reading on the side table next to my bed. Many times I will have two books going at a time. But, due to the fact that I am easily distracted, I will often find the books piling up. Rather than making my way through a book, I come to find that there are 5-6 on, under, and near that side table. This happens because I continue to start a book, get distracted, and then start new one before I have finished the previous one. After a while, all of those books appear to become a monument to things that I have started, but left unfinished.

Many of us struggle to finish well. We start a book, or a project, or a relationship, but then we get sidetracked and go off course. Throughout Galatians, Paul has been speaking to a group of Christians who started their relationship with God by faith in the grace of God. But now they are off course and are living a distant, rules-based relationship with God. In this lesson we will see Paul call them to get back on track. He calls them to finish what they’ve started.

Question for Family Discussion1. What kinds of things distract you from trusting God and

obeying his commands?

Getting Started2. Share about a time when you received poor instructions

(or directions) from someone. What was the result?

3. Think about a time when you drifted off course in an area of your life. What led to your drift?

Digging InRead Galatians 5:7-12.

4. According to verse 7, what interrupted the good race that the Galatians were running?

5. In verse 8, what does Paul conclude about the teaching that had persuaded them?

6. Paul uses a proverb in verse 9 to explain to the Galatians what happened to them. What are some possible ways to understand how this proverb applies to their situation?

Broken Stride (Lesson 2, June 30)Galatians 5:7-12

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7. In verse 11, Paul defends himself against the charge that he was demanding that Christians obey the Old Testament law (i.e., circumcision). How does he explain the foolishness of this charge?

8. According to verse 11, Paul was willing to offend people in order to tell them the truth. Go back and read Galatians 1:10, and summarize Paul’s perspective on people-pleasing.

9. In verses 10 and 12 Paul has some very strong words for the teachers who have led the Galatians away from the gospel of Jesus. What does it reveal about Paul’s heart that he is so passionate about the Galatians’ freedom not being taken from them?

Taking it to Heart10. Who are some people in your life who could end up

undermining your reliance on God’s truth? How do you think you need to take precautions so that you do not stray from the truth?

11. How can you more purposefully surround yourself with the truth of the gospel of Jesus, so that your trust in God is reinforced?

12. Take a moment to consider if there is anyone you know who originally embraced the gospel of Jesus, but now has strayed. What do you think God is calling you to do with regard to this person?

Notes

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13You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Main PointJesus brought us freedom not for personal indulgence, but to empower us to serve one another.

IntroductionFor about four years I was a pastor to college students. As I approached my first summer in that role, I remember a conversation with several students. They told me that the summer tended to be a challenging time for them spiritually. Without the structure of classes, the summer tended to be a free-for-all. They would spend the entire summer sleeping in, vegging out, and relaxing. This self-indulgent season, they said, spilled over into their relationship with God. With no structure, they tended to wander into all kinds of selfish, short-sighted, and destructive activities. The lack of rules led to self-indulgent behavior.

Throughout Galatians, Paul has been calling believers to a relationship with God that is not based on rules, but based on faith. But we might wonder if the lack of rules – the freedom – will inevitably lead to self-indulgent behavior. If God doesn’t give us a bunch of rules to follow, won’t we all just use that freedom to make selfish choices? Won’t it turn into a free-for-all?

In this lesson, the Apostle Paul will address the right—and wrong—use of the freedom that has been brought to us by Jesus. This freedom is not given to us as a license for selfish and self-indulgent living. It has a much higher and more profound purpose.

Question for Family Discussion1. What are some ways that people can use their freedom

to help others?

Getting Started2. What do you think would happen if our society abolished

all its laws?

3. Give an example of a law that could keep someone from helping someone else.

4. If a society was only going to have one law, what should that law be?

Digging InRead Galatians 5:13-15.

5. In verse 13, Paul reminds the Galatians (and us) of the freedom to which Jesus has called them. Go back and read Galatians 5:1: What does Paul call us to do in response to the freedom we have been given?

Free-For-All? (Lesson 3, July 7)Galatians 5:13-15

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6. According to verse 13, what are the two options for how we can use the freedom we have been given?

7. How might someone use their freedom from the law to indulge the flesh?

8. How does our freedom in Christ allow us better to serve one another in humble love?

9. According to verse 14, the whole law is summed up in love. Read the following verses and comment on how they contribute to what Paul is saying here.

Matthew 22:37-40

John 13:34-35

Romans 13:8-10

10. According to verse 15, what will be the result if we use our freedom for selfish purposes?

Wrestling With Issues11. Paul says that the command to love one another sums up

the whole law. Can this really be true? If so, how?

Taking it to Heart12. Jesus has set you free not for the purpose of self-indulgence,

but for the purpose of humble and loving service to others. How can you use your freedom to serve others?

13. Are there ways that you are misusing your freedom as an excuse to do whatever sounds good to you? If so, how is this happening and how do you need to respond?

14. Write out a prayer that God would set you free to love others in greater ways. Ask him to reveal if there are any ways that you need to experience his love and grace in order to be set free to love others?

Notes

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16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Main PointIf we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, we will not indulge sinful desires.

IntroductionThe scene is the White House. One advisor stands on each side of the President.

Intelligence sources are reporting that a hostile nation is preparing a domestic attack against the United States. One advisor pleads with the President to order a pre-emptive strike. He passionately gives strong reasons why this is what the U.S. must do to protect itself. Meanwhile the other advisor passionately pleads with the President to hold off. A pre-emptive strike, he says, will lead to a massive conflict, while waiting may reveal that this intelligence is unfounded. The President attentively listens to both arguments. Ultimately, however, he knows that the decision is his. He must choose a course of action, and siding with one advisor will necessarily mean that he sides against the other. He cannot follow both courses at once; he must choose a side.

In this lesson, we will read a passage in which Paul talks about two options between which each Christian must choose: the Spirit and the flesh. The Spirit has one agenda for our lives, while the flesh invites us to something completely different. Because of these two agendas, we can only follow the lead of one of them at any given time.

Both the Spirit and the flesh invite us to freedom. According to Paul, however, only one can deliver on that promise.

Question for Family Discussion1. Share about a time when you knew God wanted you to do

something, but it was really difficult to do.

Getting Started2. What are some ways that our culture offers us freedom?

3. When people repeatedly say “yes” to their momentary desires, does this lead to freedom? Explain your answer.

Digging InRead Galatians 5:16-18.

4. In verse 16, Paul talks about walking by the Spirit. Read the following verses about the Holy Spirit’s identity and purpose and write about how each helps you understand what Paul means when he tells us to walk by the Spirit.

John 14:25-26

Acts 1:8

The Battle Within (Lesson 4, July 14)Galatians 5:16-18

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Romans 8:9-11

Ephesians 5:18-21

5. What promise does Paul give in verse 18 to those who walk by the Spirit?

6. Paul frequently uses the term “flesh” not simply to refer to our physical bodies, but to refer to the fact that we have weak and sinful inclinations (even after we have been made new by Christ). In light of this, what does it mean to gratify the desires of the flesh?

7. According to verse 17, the Spirit and the flesh have opposing desires. What is your response to the idea that the Holy Spirit has desires for you?

8. What do you think Paul means in verse 17 when he says, “so that you are not to do whatever you want?”

9. If we are led by the Spirit, we are free from the law. Why do you think this is the case?

Wrestling With Issues10. Paul says that we will not gratify sinful desires if we walk by

the Spirit. Yet the experience for most of us is that it doesn’t take much for us to think or say or do something that is sinful and selfish. Do you think Paul is overstating his case here? How do you think this reality is lived out practically?

Taking it to Heart11. The desires of the flesh offer us freedom, but only end up

bring hurt and addiction and regret. What are some ways that the desires of the flesh have compromised your freedom?

12. How can you more intentionally set yourself up to be led by the Holy Spirit?

13. Are there some things that you sense the Spirit is calling you to do right now? If so, what are those things?

Notes

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19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Main PointWhen we walk by the flesh, pain and destruction flows out.

IntroductionA common business practice is the have performance reviews. An employee will sit down with a supervisor and be evaluated based on the goals for his or her position. The review focuses on the results. In the aftermath of the review, however, the employee is left to think through the process that led to those results. If the review is positive, then the employee will look to repeat the process that led to this success. If the review is negative, then the employee will look to identify the process that led to this failure. The results are clear to everyone, but the process is the more important matter.

In this lesson we will look at a passage that describes the results of indulging the flesh. The results are obvious. They are ugly. They are undesired outcomes. It would be easy for us to read this list of activities and say to ourselves, “I need to stop doing any of these activities that are currently part of my life.” While there are worse responses than this, Paul has a different response in mind. He wants us to look at the results, and then focus on the process. These destructive activities are not the key problem. They key problem is the process that brought them about. And Paul challenges us to deal with our deeper problems by exposing the undesired outcomes and show up as a result.

Question for Family Discussion1. Why do you think it is so easy to do things that you know

are wrong?

Getting Started2. What normally drives your actions when you end up

making selfish and regretful decisions?

3. Can you think of any signs that often come before you make regretful decisions?

Digging InRead Galatians 5:19-21.

4. Paul says that the acts of the flesh are obvious. What are some typical signs that you are allowing the flesh to lead you?

5. Paul gives a long list of the “acts of the flesh.” What common characteristics do you see in the actions and attitudes that are listed?

6. What “acts of the flesh” hit close to home for you? Why?

Undesired Outcomes (Lesson 5, July 21)Galatians 5:19-21

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7. Which of the “acts of the flesh” have become acceptable either in society or in the church (or both)? Comment on the impact of this.

8. In verse 21 Paul says that those who practice these “acts of the flesh” will not inherit the kingdom of God. Look back at the following passages and comment on what they tell you about inheritance in the context of Galatians.

3:18

3:29

4:6-7

9. All of these acts of the flesh promise us freedom, but only end up giving us slavery. Look at the list and comment on how these acts relate to slavery.

Wrestling With Issues10. In verse 21, is Paul saying that people who sin in the

mentioned categories will be kept out of the kingdom of God because of their bad behavior? Does this amount to a works-based view of salvation?

Taking it to Heart11. Paul lists these sins not simply to tell us not to practice

them, but to show us what happens when we indulge the flesh. What motivations tempt you to indulge your flesh?

12. The solution to the acts of the flesh is not simply to try hard to avoid them, but to walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh. How can you actively yield to the voice of the Spirit so that you will not fall into the destructive and painful acts of the flesh?

13. In light of this passage, what are some good and some bad approaches to talking to others (especially other Christians) who are practicing the acts of the flesh? What are some appropriate ways that you can call them to something better?

Notes

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22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Main PointWhen we walk by the Spirit, wonderful and life-giving activities and attitudes flow out.

IntroductionDuring college, when I spent a semester studying in Israel, we frequently took buses to archaeological or historical sites. As soon as we would arrive at a site, the professor would exit the bus and start walking to the destination. Sometimes, by the time we students exited the bus, he would be a good distance away. The message to all of us was clear: I am heading somewhere; if you want to come along, you better keep up. The more we kept in step, the more we learned and grew. The less we kept in step, the more we missed out on. If we wanted to experience the benefits of the professor, and the site, we had to keep up.

In this lesson, we will read a passage in which the Apostle Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit is heading somewhere. He is not a passive participant in our lives. He actively works to bring transformative changes to our attitudes and our behavior. He is going somewhere. If we want to experience the benefits of his leading in our lives, we need to keep up. If we don’t, we will miss out. But if we do, the transformation will be staggering.

Question for Family Discussion1. Describe the last time that you sensed that God was telling

you how he wanted you to respond to a situation.

Getting Started2. Write down two or three virtues that you really want to

cultivate in your life.

3. What are some unsuccessful ways that people attempt to cultivate virtues?

4. What happens when you try to change your actions without changing your attitude?

Digging InRead Galatians 5:22-26.

5. The fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23 is a contrast to the acts of the flesh in verses 19-21. What significance to you draw from the phrase “fruit of the Spirit”?

6. What qualities unite the virtues listed in verses 22-23?

Keep in Step (Lesson 6, July 28)Galatians 5:22-26

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7. Living by the Spirit is different than living by rules. In light of this, why do you think Paul concludes verse 23 by saying, “Against such things there is no law”?

8. According to verse 24, what has happened to our flesh and its desires?

9. What is implied about the Holy Spirit by the fact that Paul calls believers to “keep in step with the Spirit”?

10. According to verse 26, what will happen if we don’t keep in step with the Spirit?

Wrestling With Issues11. Paul says in verse 24 that those who belong to Jesus have

crucified the flesh with its desires. At the same time, he warns believers that they can still make the poor choice to walk in the flesh. How can it be that our flesh is crucified and yet we can still walk in it?

Taking it to Heart12. Instead of calling believers to cultivate virtues, Paul simply

says that these virtues will show up if we walk by the Spirit. In light of this, how can you purposefully and practically look to the Spirit of God in order to renew you from the inside out?

13. Name one practical way that you need to “keep in step with the Spirit” right now.

14. How does the Spirit-driven path described by Paul impact how you talk to others about their behavior and attitudes?

Notes

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1Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gentle. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5for each one should carry their own load. 6Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Main PointThe Holy Spirit leads us into life-giving, sacrificial interactions with one another.

IntroductionSometimes each of us finds ourselves thinking that life would be a lot easier if it weren’t for people. People let us down. People hurt us. People drain us of energy. While the people in our lives can be the greatest source of joy and comfort, they are also often the greatest source of pain and frustration.

Throughout chapters 5 and 6 of his letter to the Galatians, Paul has been writing about how the Holy Spirit impacts our lives. It could be tempting for us to think only about how the Spirit impacts our personal, individual relationship with him. In this passage, however, Paul tells the Galatians that the Spirit leads them not only to internal growth, but also to interpersonal growth. The same Spirit who led Jesus to give himself for others also leads his people to sacrifice for one another.

In this lesson you will be challenged to respond to the Spirit’s call to sacrificially give of yourself in order to benefit others, while at the same time taking responsibility for yourself so that you are not overly-burdensome to others.

Question for Family Discussion1. Share about a time when you were overwhelmed and

someone else helped you.

Getting Started2. What is one key reason why people have dysfunctional

relationships in their lives?

3. How does the quality of a person’s relationships impact how you view them?

Digging InRead Galatians 6:1-6.

4. According to verse 1, what is the Spirit-led approach to talk to someone who is caught in a sin?

5. According to verse 2, how do we fulfill the law of Christ?

6. What are some examples of how believers can carry one another’s burdens?

7. Read 1 Peter 5:5-6, and comment on how these verses relate to believers carrying one another’s burdens.

Pull Yourselves Together (Lesson 7, August 4)Galatians 6:1-6

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8. Verses 3-5 talk about how we view ourselves in relationship to others. Sum up what Paul is saying to us in these verses?

9. How does verse 6 relate to the overall theme of the Spirit leading us into lifegiving relationships with one another?

Wrestling With Issues10. In verse 2 Paul tells us to carry one another’s burdens.

In verse 5 he says that each one should carry his own load. Look at both of these statements in context. How do they fit together? Are they contradictory?

Taking it to Heart11. Which of the practical instructions given in this passage

most stands out to you as something that needs to change in your life?

12. How can you begin to live out these Spirit-led instructions with “difficult” people in your life?

13. How does the idea of keeping in step with the Spirit (5:25) guide how you approach growth in the practical instructions given in this passage?

Notes

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7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Main PointContinue to sow to the Spirit, so that you will reap the long-term benefits he brings.

IntroductionWhen college graduates land their first career-oriented job, they are encouraged to begin saving for retirement. The reason, of course, is that the sooner a person starts saving for retirement, the further the money goes. A small sacrifice early on compounds interest and yields a significant pay-out. Even significant contributions later in life cannot catch up to what is accumulated if a person begins saving for retirement at a young age.

If, then, this is a proven fact, why don’t more people start saving for retirement in their twenties? The answer is that it is a hard sell for a young person to sacrifice some of their income in the short-term in order to provide for themselves in the long-run. Why give up money that could be used for nice clothes, nice restaurants, nice cars, or nice furnishings? In order to experience the benefits of retirement later on, a person has to have a perspective that allows them to practice delayed gratification.

In this lesson, we will read a passage in which the Apostle Paul urges believers to keep the future in perspective. He calls us to persevere in making decisions now that will benefit us, and others, in the future. Even if we don’t see immediate results.

Question for Family Discussion1. Share about a time that you made a good choice,

but it didn’t pay off until later.

Getting Started2. Name an area of your life that requires you to embrace

to concept of delayed gratification.

3. What kinds of things keep you from following through with what you know is right?

Digging InRead Galatians 6:7-10.

4. When Paul says that a man reaps what he sows, he is telling us that our actions have consequences (for better or for worse). Why do you think he links this idea to his reminder that God cannot be mocked?

5. How does verse 8 relate to what Paul said about the flesh and the Spirit in 5:16-26?

Delayed Gratification (Lesson 8, August 11)Galatians 6:7-10

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6. According to verse 8, what are the contrasting results of sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit?

7. In verse 9, what reason does Paul give for why believers should not grow weary in doing good?

8. According to verse 9, what could we do to short-circuit the harvest that is in the future?

9. Why do you think Paul gives priority to “the family of believers” when he talks about doing good?

Wrestling With Issues10. In John 17:3 Jesus says, “Now this is eternal life: that they

know you, the only true god, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” He defines eternal life not simply as living forever with God after our death, but in the experience of knowing God and living in a relationship with him. In light of this, what do you think Paul had in mind when he said that those who sow to the Spirit reap eternal life (verse 8)?

Taking it to Heart11. What good things is God’s Spirit leading you to do right

now? What will be some long-term benefits of doing these good things?

12. What will be some long-term consequences of ways that you are currently sowing to the flesh, if you do not change your actions?

13. Write down 2-3 practical ways that you can sow to the Spirit.

Notes

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11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!12Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.17From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Main PointThe only true boast is not what we ourselves do, but what Jesus has done for us.

IntroductionWhen I was younger, I used to help out with the youth group at my church. One year, the youth pastor gave out special “awards” to all of the junior high students. Some were serious, but most of them were meant to poke fun at the students. I remember talking to one 8th-grade boy afterwards. He came up to me with a huge smile on his face and said, “They gave me the Best Moocher Award.” I had to smile. This kid was so excited to have received this not-so-flattering award. He was actually bragging that out of all the moochers in the youth group, he had been named as the best one.

People will brag about almost anything. Not just strength or looks or money or athletic ability. We will look for anything that can give us bragging rights. For each of us, the question isn’t whether or not we will choose to boast. The question is what we will choose as our boast.

Paul closes the book of Galatians by talking about bragging. The Galatians have a choice. They can choose to brag to God about what they have done for him. Or they can choose to brag about what God has done for them. It is a simple choice

for them. And it is a choice that each one of us will face on a daily basis. This lesson will explore why this is the case, and how we can respond.

Question for Family Discussion1. What kinds of things are you tempted to brag about?

Getting Started2. In our culture, what kinds of things give people

bragging rights?

3. What are some of the negative effects of bragging?

4. How does bragging relate to how you think about your relationship with God?

Digging InRead Galatians 6:11-18.

5. According to verse 12, what motivations drive those who want to compel believers to be circumcised?

Bragging Rights (Lesson 9, August 18)Galatians 6:11-18

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6. Why would circumcision by the Galatians lead to bragging rights for the teachers who compelled them to do so? (Verses 12-13)

7. What is the significance of boasting only in the cross of Jesus?

8. Compare Paul’s statement in verse 15 with his statement in Galatians 5:6. Are they contradictory or complementary?

9. Why do you think Paul makes such a personal comment in verse 17?

10. How do verses 16 and 18 sum up Paul’s desires for the Galatians?

Taking it to Heart11. What, apart from the cross of Christ, do you find yourself

using as a boast?

12. What are some practical ways that you can make Christ, and him alone, the one in whom you boast?

13. Take some time to write down a few of the main truths that you are taking from this series in Galatians.

Notes

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