Connect:
- Open in prayer.
- Who was your best friend growing up? Why were they your best friend?
Discuss:
- Read Gal 6:1-10. What does this passage say about community? Why is community important?
- How does our world understand community? (Hint: remember the Sovereign Self Narrative that Pastor Tim talked about, specifically that today community is only there to affirm the identity I have created.)
- Paul talks about restoring someone gently. Many people have an aversion to this, and rightly so. Share a negative experience you have had in regards to restoration. Share a positive experience. What was the difference between the two?
- Mark Baker gives a few suggestions on how to restore gently: 1. Avoid ‘ought’ or ‘should’ language 2. Include words of grace 3. Use directional journey language. Think about your time together as a small group. Have you noticed someone in your group doing one of these 3 things? If so, point it out and encourage them. How might you incorporate these into your small group experience?
- In vs 7-10, Paul writes about reaping what you sow. Pastor Tim talked about the tension in this. What is the tension and where do you find this in your life? (Hint: tension between grace – unearned identity and love, and acts have natural consequences and results.)
- What one thing can you do this week to fulfill verse 10 specifically?
Pray:
Pastor Tim talked about how being weary from good works is like a dashboard of your soul. Where is your soul today? Using the 4 questions below. Describe it in terms of these things and then have your small group pray for each person as they share.
-is there a truth you need to claim?
-is there a practice you need to pick up? (i.e., sabbath)
-Is there a promise you need to hold onto?
-is there a sin you need to confess?
