Galatians Reading (#18)

Take a few minutes to catch up and pray that God would bless you through the reading of His word.

Read Galatians 6:1-10

[6:1] Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. [3] For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [4] But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. [5] For each will have to bear his own load.
[6] Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. [7] Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

Observation:

• Whom is Paul addressing in v 1?
  • What scenario does he imagine?
  • In such a situation, who should act?
    • What should they do?
    • How should they do it?
    • On what should they keep a watch? Why?
• What does Paul command in v 2? What will happen if they comply?
• What scenario does Paul imagine in v 3? What is the result if that situation takes place?
  • What should each one do (v 4)?
    • Then what will be their reason to boast? 
    • What will not be their reason to boast?
  • Why (v 5)?
• Who is addressed in v 6?
  • What should they share?
  • With whom should they share it?
• What command does Paul give in verse 7?
  • What does he tell us about God?
  • What is the relationship between reaping and sowing?
    • What are two potential ways one can “sow” (v 8)?
    • What will the person who sows in those ways expect to reap?
• What encouragement does Paul give his readers in v 9? What incentive does he give them?
• What should we do, according to verse 10?
  • To whom should we do it?
  • When should we do it? 

Interpretation:

• Who are the “spiritual” (v 1)? 
  • What does it mean to restore someone who is caught in a transgression?
  • Why is it important to do so gently?
  • Why would Paul warn the people to watch themselves in that situation?
• What is “the law of Christ”? How does bearing one another’s burdens fulfill it?
• What is Paul saying in v 6? How does it fit into the flow of what he is saying in v 2-5?
• Why is it important for Paul’s readers not to deceive themselves into thinking that God can be mocked (v 7)? 
  • What does it mean to sow to the flesh or to the Spirit?
  • Why might someone be tempted to be weary of doing good?

Application:

• Look at the way that Paul assumes that people in the church will know one another and care for each other. 
  • How can you bear the burdens of others in the church this week?
  • What opportunities might you have to do good to others in the church?
• How might you be tempted to sow to your flesh? What would it look like for you to sow the Spirit this week?

Share prayer requests and pray for each other.