Book of Galatians Sermon Series Week of June 25- July
Book of Galatians Sermon Series
Lesson #7. Boasting In Grace
Week of June 25- July 1 Focus passage: Galatians 6:1-16 Lesson Overview- The Gospel saves us not because of things we have done but because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Grace frees us from the obligation to become good enough through the law. Grace also frees us to love like Jesus loves us. Motivates us to live confidently and selflessly at home, work and in our neighborhoods so people may find their way back to God. 1. Welcome & Prayer (10 minutes) Greet each other and share the highlight of your week. How have you been living out grace the past week? Warm-Up. Describe what the front porch of your home needs that would make it more inviting to guests? Paul has been fairly firm with the readers through the majority of his letter. But now he closes his message to them with some encouragement and hope. You will find that this chapter speaks to you in a powerful way as you try to live differently in the aftermath of embracing the Gospel of Grace. Thank God for how this study of God’s grace has freed you from the painful shame or bristling pride of striving to be right with God by keeping all of the laws. Prepare to receive some encouragement in the verses you read today.
2. Study the Word (30 Minutes) Galatians 6:1-10, 14-15 Share something that impacted you from the message by Matt Bortmess last Sunday. What was it that directly seemed to apply to your current life circumstances?
Read the Scripture section twice. In the first reading note any insights or questions that come to your mind. In the second reading underline words or phrases that encourage you to continue to live a grace-filled life.
Galatians 6:1-10, 14-15 6:1 “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 if you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. 6 Those who are taught the work of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 7 Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.” … 14 “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.”
2. Study the Word (continued) A. Verse 6:1 flows from 5:26. How does God want grace-filled people to handled sins and offenses? What is hard about that expectation? What is hopeful about that expectation? B. What is the “satisfaction” that Paul is addressing in 6:4-5? How is this different from “trying to keep the law”? C. What is Paul worried about in verses 7-9? When have you needed similar encouragement? D. As you experience the amazing grace of God as described in Galatians, the cross of Jesus become so very precious. Why? (5:14-16) How does someone “boast” about the cross of Jesus?
3. Apply the Lesson to Life (10 minutes) Grace from God is greater than anything! We need this encouragement if we are going to consistently live a life that spreads God’s grace. We want live in a manner so others will also Embrace Grace!! E. Who do you know that is hurting because of a sin or a disagreement? How can you follow the pattern (6:1-3) to help bring grace into that situation? Pray for the situation and the part God wants you to play. F. What you are sowing now will be what you harvest later. How can you sow more seeds of grace to the people around you? Who is your “ONE” that you would like to see embrace the grace of Jesus? G. What does the cross mean to you? Write your thoughts as you might tell a friend or coworker how the cross shows you God’s grace.
Just Talk to God Tell God an area of your life where you need His encouragement to “not give up doing good”? Into our world. God, increase my ability to share the grace-filled message with my neighbors, relatives, co-workers and friends this week. Put into practice the 5 Habits of God’s people. Pray for 5. Bless. Eat. Listen/Learn. Share.
4. Take it to the Lord in Prayer (10 minutes) Spend time praying for each other. List prayer requests and answers in the space below. Pray that each of you will grow in your experience and expression of God’s amazing grace. Bible Reading for the Week, June 26-30 M- Romans 3:9-20; T- Romans 3:21-31; W- Romans 5:1-11; Th- Philippians 3:1-14; F- 1 John 4:7-21
Contact First Christian Church , Council Bluffs, IA and FCC Connect Groups: Rich Milliken, [email protected], work 712-328-2606 Connect Group Assistant, Lisa Cline, [email protected]
