Key Thought: The indication of God’s presence is in the spirit manifested within the church. Intentional acts of kindness, help in trials, and forgiveness and restoration are extended to those who err.

[Teaching plan for “The Gospel and the Church” December 21, 2011]

1. Have a volunteer read Galatians 6:1.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why should we in a meek spirit restore one who sins? What is the purpose of doing so?
C. Personal Application: How many people have we lost from church attendance or membership because we have failed to restore in the spirit of meekness? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I don’t see many Christians following this counsel about restoring one overtaken in a fault. Usually church members talk badly about them, get angry with them, or want to get revenge against them.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Galatians 6:2-5.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What kind of burdens do you think Paul is speaking of here? How do we bear one another’s burdens? How does it fulfill the law of Christ?
C. Personal Application: Is there anyone that you feel comfortable sharing your burdens with or asking for help in difficult situations? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”I don’t mind helping other people out if I can, but I won’t accept or ask for help from anyone. I can deal with my own problems without having someone thinking they are doing a great thing by helping me and sticking their nose in my business, so I am indebted to them” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Galatians 6:6-9.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean to sow to the flesh and sow to the spirit?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever experienced a sowing that brought forth reaping, either good or bad? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I don’t mind helping someone out once in awhile, but I don’t want to be taken advantage of. Some people, if you help them, they keep coming back, asking for more and more help until they tire you out and use you up. I don’t think God wants us to be taken advantage of either.” Do you tend to agree or disagree with your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Galatians 6:10.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does Paul state that we should especially do good to those of the household of faith? Isn’t that being partial?
C. Personal Application: Are the people you trust most in or out of the
Church? The people you lean on most – in or out of the church? What does
This say about the church? What does this say about you?
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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