06/07/2025

Healing and Encouragement

Small Group Notes 6 July 2025

Theme: Healing and Encouragement

A fun Quiz to begin:

 What does Paul mean when he says to ‘restore someone gently’ in Galatians 6:1?
To correct someone harshly
To help someone with kindness and humility
To ignore their mistakes
To publicly rebuke them

 What is the ‘law of Christ’ mentioned in Galatians 6:2?
The Ten Commandments
The law of Moses
The command to love one another.
The law of the Pharisees

 How does Galatians 6:3 warn against pride?
By encouraging self-reflection
By comparing ourselves to others
By ignoring our own faults
By boasting about our achievements

 What is the difference between ‘burdens’ and ‘loads’ in Galatians 6:2–5?
Burdens are shared responsibilities, while loads are personal
responsibilities.

Burdens are physical, while loads are spiritual.

Burdens are temporary, while loads are permanent.

There is no difference between burdens and loads.

 What does Galatians 6:6 teach about supporting teachers of the Word?
Teachers should not be supported.
Believers should share all good things with their teachers.
Teachers should rely only on their own resources.
Support for teachers is optional.

 What does Paul mean by ‘sowing to please the Spirit’ in Galatians 6:8?
Investing in spiritual growth and godly living
Focusing on material wealth
Pleasing others for approval
Avoiding all responsibilities

 What is the promise in Galatians 6:9 for those who do not grow weary in
doing good?
They will receive immediate rewards.
They will reap a harvest at the proper time.
They will avoid all hardships.
They will gain the approval of others.

 Who does Paul say we should prioritize in doing good, according to
Galatians 6:10?
Only our family members
Everyone, especially fellow believers
Only those who are kind to us.
Only those in need

 How can we avoid ‘growing weary’ in doing good, as mentioned in Galatians 6:9?
By relying on God’s strength and focusing on the eternal reward
By taking frequent breaks from helping others
By focusing only on ourselves
By seeking recognition for our good deeds

 What does Galatians 6:7 mean by ‘God cannot be mocked’?
God is unaware of our actions.
God will not be deceived by insincere actions.
God does not care about our choices.
God will punish everyone equally.

Questions for Reflection and Application
1. Paul gives examples of what a Spirit-filled life could look like for a community. These four patterns of life—caring for others while protecting oneself, generosity, anchoring one’s life in the Spirit and not the flesh, and doing good—which is generosity all over again—are expressions of what it means to be liberated by the Spirit in the Christ Era. No law of Moses says it any better. What makes Paul’s teachings different is that these four virtues are embodied by the power of the Spirit of God, the gift of the Christ Era. What are other examples you could add to the list?

2. How does life in the Spirit lead us to a life of generosity?

3. What other suggestions would you add to a list of ideas for helping seminaries and church leadership teams shape truly Christ-like pastors?

4. What constitutes “doing good” in our modern world?

5. What do you think about the obligation of spiritual students to provide for their teachers? Is this something you practice in your life or would like to begin doing?

Close the meeting with a time of prayer.

God bless for the week ahead.
Rev Tim.

1 With thanks to New Testament Everyday: James and Galatians
© 2022 by Scot McKnight