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. 11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on 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. —Galatians 6

Big Idea: Our freedom blesses us with the responsibility to

1. We are free to care for one another (6:1-10)

• a. Restoring gently (v.1-2)

  1. Katartizo: Mending nets and setting a fractured or dislocated bone

     The church is a mess

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     . But the challenge and heartache of the church’s messiness is this: it almost always involves

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     . We’re the

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     and the

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     ! —Todd Wilson

  2. Conflict can lead to “gaining a brother” Matt 18:15-17

     15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence 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, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. —Matthew 18:15-17

  3. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

     A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. —Proverbs 15:1
     

• b. Personal responsibility (v.2-6)

  1. Discard the roadblocks to restoration (5:26)

     Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. —Galatians 5:26

  2. Check our own work (v.4)
     When we lack personal

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     of our own spiritual condition, we are prone to confront others in such a way that
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     .

  3. Bear our own load (v.5)

  4. Bear the burdens of others (v.2)
• c. Sowing and reaping a spiritual investment (6:7-10)
  

2. We are free to boast in the person and work of Jesus (6:11-18)

• a. Free from sowing and boasting in the flesh (v.11-13)
• b. Letting go of the world and holding on to the cross (v.14-15)

• c. The fruit of faith: peace and mercy. (v.16)
• d. The honorable cost of following Jesus (v.17)

The work of the cross is not simply a

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. What are some common “roadblocks to restoration” that we should be aware of and work to discard?

4. How well do you invest yourself in carrying the weights of others? Share examples of how mutual investment strengthens church relationships.

5. In what ways can we move from seeing the work of the cross as a mere symbol to embracing and living it out as a reality in our lives and in the church?

6. What have been your biggest takeaways from Galatians and what Next Steps is God calling you to?