Download Gal 6.1-18 qst July 2012

LIVING AS A NEW CREATION
Galatians 6:1-18
Key verse: 15
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new
creation.”
1.
What is involved in “restoring” someone gently who is caught in sin (1a, Mt
18:15-17, 2Co 2:6-8)? What dangers should we be aware of (1b)?
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.”
“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to
you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter
may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
2Co 2:6-8
“The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive
and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your
love for him.”
1b
“But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”
1a
Mt 18:15-175
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2.
How can we fulfill the law of Christ (2, 5:14; Ro 12:15, 15:1-3)? What mentality
can hinder us from carrying others’ burdens and what is the alternative (3-5;
Php2:3-4)? What should be our attitude toward those who help us understand
God’s word (6)?
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
“The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Ro 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Ro 15:1-3
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us
should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written:
“The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
3-5
“If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions.
Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own
load.”
Php 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
6
“Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”
2
Gal 5:14
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3.
What universal principle is expressed in verses 7-8 and how is it applied? How
can we persevere in doing good (9, 1Co 15:58)? Why is this especially important
among the family of believers (10)?
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 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.”
9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
1Co 15:58
”Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of
the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of
believers.”
7-8
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4.
How do Paul’s “large letters” accentuate his personal appeal to the Galatians
(11)? What were the motives of those insisting on circumcision (12)? How was
this hypocritical (13)?
“See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!”
“Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only
reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.”
13
“Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about
your flesh.”
11
12
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5.
How did Paul’s boast contrast with the Judaizers (14, 2:20)? What is the only
thing that counts (15)? How can we become a new creation (2:16, 3:2, 5, 26-27)?
What does it mean to live as a new creation (4:6, 5:1,6, 13, 16, 22-23, 6:8,14)?
How does Paul conclude his letter (15-18; 2Co5:15-16)?
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which [b] the world has been crucified to
me, and I to the world.”
Gal 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Gal 2:16
“know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our
faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing
the law no one will be justified.”
Gal 3:2
“I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing
what you heard?”
Gal 3:5
“Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you
believe what you heard?”
Gal 3:26-27
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ.
Gal 4:6
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
Gal 5:1
“It 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.”
Gal 5:6
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith
expressing itself through love.”
Gal 5:13
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather,
serve one another in love.”
Gal 5:16
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Gal 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Gal 6:8
“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.”
Gal 6:14
“May 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.”
Gal 5:16
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Gal 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
15-18
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to
all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 17 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the
marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.”
2Co 5:15-16
“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them
and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded
Christ in this way, we do so no longer.”
14
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*Practically, how can our ministry be focused on becoming and living as new creations?
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