SURREY CHAPEL – Fellowship Group Notes for the 28th /29th November 2012
Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians

Chapter 6 – Living the gospel

One summary of Galatians is – Grace and the Gospel, Chapters 1&2; Grace and the Law, Chapters 3 & 4 and Grace and the Christian, Chapters 5 & 6. Many practical points to take in from this chapter, and see above all God’s grace.

Gospel relationships   v 1 – 5
Ask yourself as you study these verses – ‘Is this how I relate to other believers?’
F.B.Meyer says –The spirit of the world gloats over sin, however the Spirit of Christ leads us to restore the sinner. Our first thought should be how I may help restore a fallen brother/sister.
What principles is Paul laying down in v1 –and how may we accomplish that v2.?
How and why do Christians generally struggle to live out v1 and v 2?
v3	Who’s deceived then? Tyndale commentary says –the thought here may be of a person’s poor spiritual state, rather than of their real unimportance.               
V4 & 5 needs to be read together. There is no contradiction with v2 – rather saying the each of us is answerable to the Lord.
Before leaving these five verses read Romans 15 v 1-7
Generous and doing good  v 6 – 10
v6	Read also 1 Corinthians 9 v9-14 It speaks for itself.
v7-8	a farming-based principle here. What two ways may we sow in our own lives?
There are always consequences to our actions. What are the reaping results?
v9	What a motivation for us to ‘sow to the Spirit (v8). This verse is both a challenge and also an encouragement.
v9-10	In both these verses what does Paul tell the Christians to do? What does that mean?
‘Doing - -do’ –reminds us that we are to be actively loving those around us, not just in word but in deed. Notice especially this is towards our brothers and sisters –at home and abroad.	
Glory in the Cross   v 11 – 15
v11	Paul seems to have had someone write the bulk of his letters for him –but now in conclusion takes the pen to add some final remarks.
v12-13 & 15 - -The Jews boast in their circumcision, but the mark of the Christian is the cross. God’s new covenant is by the blood of the cross.
What does Paul point out about those who teach salvation is by good works such as circumcision. v13
v14	See also 1 Corinthians 1 v18 & 23-24 and Galatians 2 v20. The Greek word for ‘boast’ is a basic expression for praise. How much then do you care about what the world thinks of you?
Can you then look v14, as it were, in the face? What are its implications for your present attitudes and lifestyle?
Grace in conclusion v 16 - 18
v16	Promise for those who follow this rule (the results of our salvation) –what are they?
Peace – all about our new relationship with the Lord. Romans 5 v1
Mercy – how He deals with us in His grace Ephesians 2 v4
‘Israel of God’ – means those of the old and new covenants in Christ.
v17	Scars of service in one who had suffered much for the Lord and the Gospel.
	What a challenge!
v18	as Paul began Chapter 1 v3 so he ends with ‘grace’. He explicitly extols the superiority of the gospel of grace over any man-made system of works- righteousness.  Amen.
											D.J.
Prayer Points:
Spend some time thanking Christ for His cross and for the true gospel of justification by faith.
Thank the Lord for the opportunities to help our brothers and sisters.
Pray for opportunities to live out the gospel this Christmas season.