BETTERLIFE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 5// JANUARY 30, 2022// TOPIC: INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING// 50% POWERED UP
INTRODUCTION
This post is directly from the Sunday School Department of the Assemblies of God Nigeria 2022. It is live today, 30/01/22. I consider it wise to share it with my fellow members of the same church and some other members from other denominations. Please bear with me.
OUR TOPIC TODAY: INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING
MEMORY VERSE IS FROM GALATIANS 5:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (KJV)
THAT MEANS:
"let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint" ( from Amplified Version Bible).
CENTRAL TRUTH
Christians are called to live for God and demonstrate His goodness.
THE LESSON OUTLINE
1. About Burden Bearing
Galatians 6:1-6
A. Restoring the Sinner
B. Look in the Mirror
2. Persevere in Doing Good
Galatians 6:7-10
A. Sowing and Reaping
B. Do Good to Everyone
3. Glory in the Cross
Galatians 6:11-18
A. Hypocritical False Teachers
B. Boasting in the Cross
TEACHING GOALS
1. Impart and Reinforce Knowledge: Explain the Christian's responsibility to live for God, reject sin, and do good for fellow believers.
2. Influence Attitudes: _
Encourage students to accept responsibility to help promote the spiritual welfare of other believers, and to avoid pride and hypocrisy._
3. Influence Behaviour: _
Exhort students to help restore and encourage believers who have fallen into sin._
INTRODUCING THE LESSON
Write "Me, Myself, and I" on the board. Ask your students, "What do you think of when you see or hear these words? Then ask, "Aren't we, as Christians, supposed to mind our own business and take care of Ourselves, even in our spiritual lives? After a time of discussion, explain that while the Bible tells us to examine our own spiritual lives, it also tells us to help fellow Christians who have fallen into sin. This lessoon begins with instructions on helping the fallen believer and continues with encouragement to live for God and do good to brothers and sisters in Christ.
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES GALATIANS 6:1-18
1. About Burden Bearing
A. Restoring the Sinner
Galatians 6:1-2
What is a Christian's responsibility when another believer gets caught up in a sin? Galatians 6:1-2 provides Some valuable practical instruction. The intent of these verses is not to have believers constantly critique the lives of their brothers and sisters in the Lord. Rather, when it becomes apparent that a fellow Christian is "caught in a sin (NIV), action must be taken to restore that person (verse 1). Note the emphasis on gentleness, as well as the recognition that Christians are indeed vulnerable to temptation (see 1 Corinthians 10:12).
While all Christians stand justified before God and are one in Christ (see Galatians 3:26-28), believers are at differing points of spiritual strength (and spiritual vulnerability). Paul invited those who were spiritual (KJV; Iive by the Spirit," NIV) to help bring restoration. This may speak to spiritual maturity and experience, as well as a readiness to address others in their places of spiritual need. They were too lovingly help believers who had become involved in sin.
While mature believers need to be strong enough to confront such situations, they are not to impose their own will. Rather, they should gently guide the offender toward repentance and a change of behaviour. Also, vigilance is important. Mature Christians need to shield themselves from temptation. Christians are to help one another bear their burdens and weaknesses. In doing so they demonstrate the love of Christ and follow His commands (verse 2). He commanded His people to love one another, providing evidence of their identity as His people (see John 13:34-35). With Christ as the model of love and holiness, believers bear each others' burdens as they seek to live out a consistent, godly life.
Questions for Application
What can be done if sinning believers refuse any help? What should Christians avoid doing?
_What is the goal of the restoration described in Galatians 6:1-2? How can Christians know that their actions help move someone toward that goal?
B. Look in the Mirror
Galatians 6:3-6
No Christian is immune to temptation and above the need for correction. Paul warned, "If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself (verse 3, KJV). The idea of deception, here, speaks to a sense of delusion. Such a mindset is arrogant, making it difficult to have compassion and love toward others, much less show the gentieness described in verse. 1.
Paul directed the Galatian Christians to examine themselves spiritually (Galatians 6:4). Instead of comparing themselves with others, they were to test their own actions.
This involved honestly evaluating themselves according to God's commands.
Each person will answer to God individually. Verse 5 addresses a person's own responsibility to God; that is the "burden" (KJV), or "load (NIV). he or she bears. This is done in light of the self-examination in verse 4.
The day will come when Christians will stand before the. Lord, At that time, they will not be held responsible for the actions of others, but only for their own (see Romans 14:10-12; Ephesiahs 2:8-10). Thus believers should watch their own spiritual lives closely, assist other believers who have fallen into sin, and remember that each person is accountable to God.
Paul also exhorted the Galatian Christians to support those who minister the Word of God among them (Galatians 6:0). This can refer to material support jas well as taking part in the fruits ofiministry. That is, they were to help in the spiritual growth of those wno responded to the instruction o the spiritual leaders.
Questions for Application
Paul told the Galatians to both pay attention to their own spiritual lives and heip others. How can the church help believers who are preoccupied with others sins but ignore their own?
In what specific ways can Christians support the ministries of their leaders?
Response to the Word
When sin becomes known, Christians must be ready to help restore those who have strayed. Rather than gloat about one's own superiority, gentleness and humility should control tne attitudes and actions of the restorer: Self-examination is critical: Are you maturing in you spiritual life? All Christians are responsible to God for how they live.
2. Persevere in Doing Good
A. Sowing and Reaping
Galatians 6:7-8
Believing that one cannot fail into sin is a common way people deceive themselves. It is also deceptive to believe that sin has no consequences. But God sees sin. And He judges sin. Paul wrote that a failure to believe in God's judgement is mockery of God Himself (Galatians 6:7).
Paul used a principle from nature to shed light on the consequences of one's actions. When seed is planted, it grows, matures, and multiplies into a harvest. This principle takes place in people's spiritual lives as well. Note Proverbs 22:8: "Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity" (NIV).
And so, Paul addressed the results of the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 6:8; see 5:16-18). Those who plant to please their sinful desires will experience a harvest of destruction. Conversely, those who demonstrate through their planting and harvesting that they are walking in step with the Holy Spirit will experience a positive harvest now and also enjoy eternal life. Their planting is an outward demonstration of their commitment to Christ.
Questions for Application
People harvest according to the "seed" they have planted. How can you help a friend who is planting bad seed in his or her life?
_How can believers be certain they are planting the type of seed in their lives that pleases the Holy Spirit?
B. Do Good to Everyone
Galatians 6:9-10
Weariness can set in when a Christian has been waiting some time for God to bring a turnaround in his or her life. Paul continued his agricultural illustration by encouraging the Galatians to avoid becoming weary in their spiritual walk. God would surely send a spiritual harvest. God had sent His Son to die for believers' justification when the set time had fully come" (Galatians 4:4, NIV). In the same way, God will bring His children a reward for their faith and actions "at the proper time" (Galatians 6:9, NIV).
In the meantime, believers must not give up. The Bible records many examples of people who served God for long periods of time in difficult circumstances, only to be rewarded years later. Joseph, imprisoned and later raised to leadership, is just one example (Genesis 39 through 41).
Because of the promised harvest, believers were urged to do good as opportunities arose (Galatians 6:10). Paul specifically focused on service and giving to fellow believers. From the beginning, the Church was intended to function
as a body, working together to help and support one another (e.g., Acts 2:42-47). Furthermore, if one neglects brothers and sisters in the Lord, unbelievers will also certainly be ignored.
Galatians 6:9-10, however, dealt entirely with the Galatian Christians demonstrating concern tor each other. Jesus told His followers they would be identified by the love they had for one another (John 13:34-35); this love serves as a powerful witness to the spiritually lost.
Questions for Application
Paul encouraged believers not to become weary in living as His people. How can you support fellow believers who have become weary?
God has prepared opportunities for His people to serve (see Ephesians 2:10). How can believers discover what God has prepared for them?
Response to the Word
In spiritual life and natural life, planting seed brings a harvest. The believer must choose to plant good seed that reflects Biblical principles of holiness and goodness. What kind of seed are you planting?
3. Glory in the Cross
A. Hypocritical False Teachers
Galatians 6:11-13
Paul was likely dictating his Galatians letter to a scribe up to this point, as was his usual practice. It appears that, beginning with Galatians 6:11, he began to write in his own hand. Some scholars believe that the "large letters" that he used indicate poor eyesight, possibly the result of an eye disease. Others believe his use of large letters was simply for emphasis.
Now nearing the end of his letter, Paul exposed the motivation of the false teachers who had been troubling the church at Galatia, resulting in their descent into legalism that focused on obeying the law of Moses. This desire to compel Gentile converts to become circumcised was not driven by concern for their spiritual welfare. Rather, the Judaizers were trying to maintain their good standing with other Jews (Galatians 6:12). They wanted to avoid the persecution that would result from preaching salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ alone (apart from the works of the Law).
The Judaizers hypocrisy was clear: Although they were circumcised and urged others to be circumcised, they did not apply themselves to keeping the full teaching of the Law (verse 13). They did, however, want to report to their fellow Jews that they were successful in compelling Gentile Christians to meet one particular point of the Law. This was the height of hypocrisy, for both their motives and their actions were wrong and contradicted themselves.
Questions for Application
What are some forms of hypocrisy we might see today when people try to compel others to follow legalism rather than faith? How should we respond to this hypocrisy?
New believers are especially vulnerable to false teachers. How can the church help protect and strengthen new believers?
B. Boasting in the Cross
Galatians 6:14-18
By their hypocrisy, the Judaizers had exposed their true motives. They sought to please the Jews because they remained adherents of Judaism. It is not surprising, then, that they boasted in their ability to compel Gentile Christians to be circumcised. In contrast, Paul's only basis for boasting was in the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14).
The gospel bridges the gap between God and human beings-something the Law could never do. However, the Cross also creates a gap between believers and unbelievers. Believers refuse continue in the life of sin that previously bound them unbelievers cannot comprenend the changes they see in Christian family friends, and even strangers, As a result, they might ridicule and reject Christ's followers (just as Christ was hated and rejected, Matthew 10: 22; John 15:18). Christians and unbelievers have very different world views. This gulf can only be closed when the unbeliever crosses over to life in Christ (see John 5:24).
Contrary to the Judaizers, circumcision does not determine one's standing before God (Galatians 6:15). A person only becomes a new Creation through Christ. Paul sought peace and mercy for all who responded to his message (verse 16). He was not looking for a fight, for he bore the marks of persecution (verse 17).
Paul closed with a loving prayer that can model our sentiment toward fellow believers: he prayed that the grace of Christ be upon them (verse 18).
Questions for Application
What does it mean to boast in the cross and how might thIs relate to the humilty God calls us to exhibit?
Paul bore in his body the marks of Jesus. What are some examples of persecution today that inspire you and drive you to prayer?
Response to the Word
Christians might find a number of reasons to boast: the status they have attained in their church, certain rituals they perform, participation in particular acts of service. Paul would not boast of himself in any way, however-even though he was a great leader in the Early Church. Any boasting of his would only focus on the glory of the Cross. Make Paul's example your own. Focus your life, and your proclamation, on Christ and His sacrifice to save all who will believe.
Call to Discipleship
When we became Christians, we began a new relationship with God, not based on works we could do but on faith. We also began a new relationship with others who know Christ. We encourage one another. We bear one another's burdens. And when one of us a falls into sin, we seek to help restore that person to fellowship with God and the Church, and to live holy for the Lord. We also commit to doing God's will, following His commands, caring for fellow believers in need. This is Christ's love in action within us.