Download discussion questions: Galatians 5:25 – 6:5
This Sunday we started a new series in Calvary Institute at Restoration Church (8:30AM on Sundays, 3401 S. Chambers Road, Aurora, CO 80014). Last Spring, Calvary Institute was focused on separate, month-long units (the letters of John, the Apostles’ Creed, etc.). The current series will continue at least through the end of 2018 (d.v. [1]). This series is intended as a training opportunity in becoming and making “joyful, passionate disciples of Jesus Christ,” the church’s stated mission as part of CFC, the Calvary Family of Churches.
As has been the practice of Calvary Institute (CI) at Restoration, we started our time together looking at a passage in Scripture (Galatians 5:25 – 6:5) individually, then we spent some time discussing the passage. The format of CI is intended primarily as discussion rather than lecture. Each person is “examining the Scriptures” like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, developing his or her own Bible study skills.
Belief and Behavior
The brief Galatians passage contains a number of contrasts and comparisons and parallel ideas, such as “live/walk” by the Spirit (v. 25). One member of the group suggested that Paul was comparing talk and action. Does our behavior measure up to our stated belief? Others suggested that he was certainly addressing believing Christians (“Brethren” in 6:1; grouping them together with himself as “we” in 5:25-26). Living by the Spirit is probably a reference to the source of our life in Christ, and walking by the Spirit sounds like our practical application of our faith.
Individual and Corporate
Whatever living and walking by the Spirit mean, they definitely include a relational component. Walking by the Spirit means at the least (and maybe more) how we treat others, not “challenging” and not “envying” one another. One of the observations from the group was the repeated use of “one another” and similar terms (twice in 5:26; 6:2, 6:4b). At the same time, there is a contrasting theme in the passage with references to individual actions or responsibilities
- “anyone” or “each one” or “yourself” in 6:1
- “anyone” and “himself” in 6:3
- “each one” in 6:4 and again in 6:5
We discussed the differences between the relational aspects and the individual aspects in the passage. Paul’s words to individuals seem to focus on our behavior, “caught in a trespass” (or “sin” in some translations, 6:1), “looking at” (6:1) or “examining” (6:4) our own lives. Our conclusion was that the “load” each one bears (6:5) is our individual relationship with Christ. The word that is used for “load” (phortion, φορτίον) is the same word Jesus used in Matthew 11:30, “My burden is light”). Each of us is responsible for our own walk with Christ.
On the other hand, the corporate commands Paul gives are to help the individual who is overburdened with a heavier weight (baros, βάρος), possibly with sin or other trials. Not only are we to be vigilant in our own communion with God, but we are to be aware of how those around us are doing. We are to “restore” or to “help him back onto the right path” (TLB) in a gentle and humble manner. We noted that our congregation should be known for a ministry of “restoration.”
Paul’s exhortation to restore another person is specifically addressed to “you who are spiritual” (6:1). He assumed all his readers “live by the Spirit” (5:25), so the classification of “spiritual” must mean something more. Our discussion suggested he meant those who were obeying his command immediately before, “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another” (5:26).
Challenging and Envying
At the beginning of the passage, Paul prohibits the attitudes that obstruct both our own walk with Christ and our work in restoring others: challenging and envying (5:26). He seems to include both under the heading of “boasting.” One member of our group using a Bible app on his phone, found that boasting is “empty glory, or empty pride” (kenodoxos, κενόδοξος). We considered the question, “How are challenging and envying aspects of boasting, of claiming empty glory?
The common element seems to be comparison with others, and that idea is exactly what Paul addresses in the following verses. “Challenging one another” is the attitude that “I’m doing better in my spiritual life than you are,” or, “Look at the sin in that person’s life – I certainly don’t do that.” “Envying” reflects the opposite attitude: “I wish I had the same opportunities as that person,” or “If only my life was as easy as yours.” Paul excludes both attitudes: “Each one must examine his own work” (6:4).
Comparisons with others only get in the way of our relationship with Christ and interfere with the light load we are to carry in knowing Him. Clearly only those who are “spiritual” in this sense are in a position to even consider offering help in the restoration of a fellow believer.
Calvary Institute – An Overview
Which brings us to the focus of Calvary Institute for the Fall of 2018.
Why start almost at the end of Galatians instead of with the first chapter? Living and walking by the Spirit and restoring others in that walk are the goals we will be pursuing. Another way of describing those purposes: “Becoming joyful, passionate disciples who make joyful, passionate disciples who make .…” Our approach will be to weave together three threads:
Inductive Bible study – How do I learn about God from the Bible?
Just as we began this Sunday, each week the plan is to spend at least part of our time in methodical inductive study of Scripture. The approach is outlined on the back of the handout each week:
- Observation – what does it say?
- Interpretation – what does it mean?
- Application – what does it mean for me?
As we continue in Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches, one of the questions to keep in mind: How did his thinking lead to “walk by the Spirit” and “bear one another’s burdens”? What was he saying in the first five chapters that laid the groundwork for those
commands?
Spiritual Theology – How do I put together what I am learning from the Bible?
Theology is the organization of the knowledge of God we learn from the study of the Bible. Other approaches (Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, etc.) are valuable but can be a bit overwhelming (as evidenced by the 1200-page theology textbook I held up in the group).
Spiritual Theology may be thought of “theology in small bites,” or, as Dr. James Houston of Regent College says, “Spiritual theology is theology that makes a difference in peoples’ lives.” Of course, all study of God, all theology, should make a difference. But Spiritual Theology, in small bites, is more likely to make a difference.
Over the next weeks and months, we will be examining “Seven Questions of Spiritual Theology:”
- Who is God?
(Theology Proper – the study of God) - What is God up to?
(Eschatology – the study of last things) - Who are we?
(Anthropology – the study of mankind) - What’s gone wrong?
(Hamartiology – the study of sin) - What’s God done about our problem?
(Soteriology – the study of salvation) - How is God’s Spirit moving today?
(Pneumatology – the study of the Spirit) - How do we join the Spirit’s movement?
(Ecclesiology – the study of the church)
As we begin to find answers to those questions in Scripture, we will have a good start at a theology that will make a difference in our lives.
Soul Care – How do I communicate to others what I am learning?
Paul tells the Galatians to “restore” one caught in trespass “in a spirit of gentleness.” Simply listing the person’s sins and shortcomings, or even quoting a Bible verse self-righteously, is certainly not what Paul had in mind. He even gives his reason. Unless we are looking to ourselves as well, we could fall into the same situation or worse.
Soul care is about both aspects: How do I look to myself and examine my own spiritual condition? And then how can I be discerning enough to even attempt to help another struggling person? How can I become a joyful, passionate disciple who makes joyful passionate disciples?
One of the resources that will be beneficial is a video series, “Introduction to Soul Care,” by Dr. Larry Crabb. Another resource is a related book by the same author, Soul Talk (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003). While we won’t be following the videos or the book rigorously, both sources explain ideas and concepts that are part of Soul Care.
Our approach will be formed generally around questions about our conversations:
- What emotions or desires are in you?
- What emotions or desires are in the other person?
- What might God be doing in the person?
- What has shaped this person?
- What would draw this person toward God?
Moving Ahead
The goal each week will be to weave together these three themes – Inductive Study, Spiritual Theology, and Soul Care. The proportion will vary each week, but hopefully over this Fall we will grow together in each of these areas. Part of that growth will also include reproducing these threads. How can each of us be pouring into the lives of others from what God is doing in us? How will He be working as we are becoming and making joyful, passionate disciples of Jesus Christ?
[1] deo volente, “Lord willing”