Series Summary:
#Galatians #2026
Starter
What is something that you planted from a seed (sowed)? What was the result?
Pray
Study Questions
"Gospel" in Greek is εὐαγγέλιον (transliterated as euangelion), which translates literally to "good news" or "glad tidings". Derived from eu ("good") and angelia ("message" or "tidings"), it was used in the New Testament to describe the announcement of salvation through Jesus Christ (Yahweh is Salvation the Messiah). The word gospel is used 76 times in the New Testament. Galatians uses the word gospel more than any other new testament book.
In chapter one Paul writes, ”I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.”(1:6) In Chapter two He writes, “But we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you.”(2:5). Chapter three tells the church to place their faith in the gospel. “The Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and told the good news ahead of time to Abraham.” (3:8) Now He reminds believers that of their identity that they are heirs of the gospel. “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.” (3:29) He repeats that identity telling them they are children of the gospel “Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.” (4:28) Now we have the freedom of the gospel. “For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” (5:13) So walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. You will produce “the fruit of the” Gospel. (5:16, 22) One of the main purposes of that fruit is to make the seeds that will continue the sowing of the Gospel. (6:7-9)
In this section, God has Paul continue on the theme of fruit and seed.
READ: Matthew 7:15-20, Luke 8:11, 2 Timothy 3:12-16
- How do these passages along with Galatians 5:22-26 help us to determine what we and others are truly sowing and reaping?
- Galatians 6:2 says to “Carry one another’s burdens.”
How does Galatians 5:24-6:1 explain the way to carry one another’s burdens?
- According to Galatians 6, What are potential dangers in correcting and restoring one another?
- Jesus said, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27) Galatians 6:5 says, “For each person will have to carry his own load.”.
In the local church, how can we reconcile “Carry each other’s burdens” (6:2) with “each person will have to carry his own load.” (6:5)?
- How is the reasoning of these carrying commands similar to the commands of caring for physical needs and “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”?
- Why don’t we see this way of carrying “one another’s burdens” done very well in the church today?
- How do we see believers carrying the wrong burdens in the wrong ways today?
- How does Galatians 5:22-6:10 say we need to check ourselves spiritually?
- Why do we often not hold other believers or our ourselves to these scriptural checks?
- Discuss how can we determine if we are truly sowing the flesh or sowing the Spirit.
- God has Paul lay out our individual responsibilities in 6:3-5;
-do not deceive ourselves in how we think of ourselves
-test and take pride in the Spirit’s actions in us
-don’t compare ourselves to others
-carry our own load
When we don’t embrace these things what happens to our gratitude and peace?
- Which of these responsibilities might God be wanting to develop further in you right now?
- If a man reaps what he sows (6:7) is universally true, why do injustices and unmerited suffering persist? (Hint: think back through all the passages we read so far)
- Why is 6:9 very important to cling to if we are going to truly understand God’s view of sowing and reaping?
- How do people often use this verse to sow unwisely and even sow against what was written before this verse in Galatians?