Free Indeed - Galatians 6

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 17 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. - Galatians 6

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS:
1) How are believers to fulfill the law of Christ? (v.1-2) 
2) What warning and instruction does Paul give the mature believer? (v.1,3-5)
3) What principles of sowing and reaping does Paul teach? (v.6-10)
4) What does Paul emphatically say the Judaizers wanted to boast about? (v.11-13)
5) According to the Apostle Paul, what are believers to boast in? (v.14-15)
6) What is Paul's prayer for those who receive his teachings? (v.16-18)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1) Have you ever known, or heard, of a believer who was overcome by habitual sin?
2) If so, what did you do to help them (e.g., pray for them)? 
3) What do you do to encourage other believers in their times of need, regardless the cause for their distress?
4) Have you ever attempted to assist a believer and found that their need was greater than what you were able to handle?
5) If so, please describe what happened?

LIFE LESSONS:
1) God calls and equips His people to minister to fellow believers.
2) Every believer is not called to minister to the needs of every other believer in spiritual distress.
3) Whatever we sow to determines what we will reap in this life.
4) There are times when God may only call us to pray for those in spiritual distress. 
5) When our motive in helping others is to glorify ourselves, our efforts are of no eternal significance.