June 17, 2018

Our Responsibility as Christ Followers
June 17, 2018
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

What are some responsibilities you have? Tell when or how you learned they would be something that would be in your life long-term.

We tend to look to the Bible, the church, Life Groups or Home Bible Studies as our greatest means for learning how to conduct ourselves as Christ-followers. Have you ever given much thought to the early Christians, who had nothing but word-of-mouth or home gatherings to learn and encourage each other? We are so blessed to have the Scriptures and can see exactly what God expects from us as believers.

Focal Passage: Galatians 6:1-10

 

Discuss:

We are responsible to and for one another

  • Read verse Gal. 6:1a. We all know that getting married or having a child brings responsibilities we have not previously had. Why would God want us to help care for the believers He brings into our lives after we are saved?
  • Read Heb. 2:11 and 1 Pet. 2:17 and 5:9. Does God consider believers to be a family? What are some of the responsibilities He expects from us for our new “family”?
  • What are some ways in which we can tear down a fellow believer who has fallen into sin? Are these things pleasing to God? How can we gently restore those who are in sin and out of fellowship? (Where would prayer rank as one of the ways?)

We are responsible to God

  • Read verse 1b. Why did Paul feel it important to warn believers to be careful lest the same temptation that overtakes a brother or sister in Christ also overtake us? Why did Jesus warn us often about falling into temptation?
  • Read Heb. 12:1. We all have an area (or areas) where we are weak, and Satan has that weakness targeted. Why does he want to see us fall?
  • How can we avoid the traps he sets in those areas where we are most vulnerable?

We are responsible to care

  • Read verse 2. Does anyone recall the meaning for the word “burden”?
  • What keeps us from being willing to let others know we have a burden too heavy to carry by ourselves? What should we do?
  • Read verse 3. What is the connection of thought between restoring a fellow Christian who is in sin (vs. 2), and not caring (verse 3)?
  • Read verse 4. Paul now admonishes us to keep ourselves under a microscope, so that no-one has a reason to accuse our behavior. There are many verses that can be used as a self-examination; why is it important that we do this often?

We are responsible to do what’s right

  • Read verse 5. What is the difference in the burden of verse 2, and the “burden” used in verse 5?
  • Read verses 7-8 and Jas. 3:18. We must accept responsibility for our actions. Who is watching us because we call ourselves Christ-followers?

We are responsible to NOT QUIT

  • Read verses 9-10 and Hebrews 10:36. Why is perseverance so important?

 

Close:

Many years ago, a young lady from a broken home dated a young man whose family was large and close. She was captivated by the love and general caring she saw within the family unit. She married him and became a part of that close-knit family. That’s how the church body should be. When a person accepts the free gift of God’s grace, they immediately become a part of the large family of God—adopted children of God, and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, as we read in the Scripture passage today. That brings responsibility, just as being a part of any family does. You sorrow when someone sorrows, laugh when they are filled with joy, hold them accountable and in general see that they are always on the path to a closer walk with Christ.

Above all, we all need to carry each other’s burdens, and at the same time hold ourselves accountable for seeing that we walk in close fellowship with Jesus Christ. Today’s world will try to get us off the right path as often as possible, but the tight closeness of family will insure that we maintain a healthy, vibrant Christ-like spirit.

Key Verse: Galatians 6:9: And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Dr. Jerry Falwell, “Don’t quit! Have a 4th Quarter Ministry!”