Before the Session
Facilitator: In advance of the session
- Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
- Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
- Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media)
Context (From the Current Session Page)
Start by watching this video on donor fatigue, then ask questions like:
- It’s been over half a year now. How many of the causes that you helped – or wanted to help – over the holidays are you still helping and why?
- Why do you think that people are sometimes more inclined to help others at one time of year than another?
- What are some causes that interest you right now for which you do not have the time or resources to help?
- Outside of supporting charities, what are some things that we do, or wish we did, to help the people around us?
- How do people find the energy to help others when they have so much else going on in their lives?
Content (From the Mind Session Page)
Read Galatians 6:1-16 , then watch the Bible Background Video
Then ask questions like these:
- In what ways is this passage consistent with what Paul has been discussing about following the Spirit and letting love be our new law?
- If someone were offering a Law-based approach to life in the Body of Christ, what advice might they give here for the following?
- Restoring a person caught in sin?
- Bearing others’ burdens?
- Sharing spiritual discoveries?
- Persevering in doing good, even when we don’t see a reward?
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What “burdens” do you think Paul is talking about in verse 2 and following?
- In what ways might Paul’s advice about comparing ourselves to others be a tough but necessary word today?
- When have you heard of someone who “grew weary in doing good?”
- Why is it easy to get tired of such a thing, and what advice does Paul offer us?
Closure (from the Youth Session page)
Tell the group that you’re going to read some statements about them, and that you want them to respond to your statements by holding up their fingers to express their answer. If they are in complete agreement, they should hold up 5 fingers, if they disagree they can hold up 1, or they may hold up other number. After each statement is read and people have shown their fingers, allow time to discuss their responses.
Use these statements or come up with your own:
- I have a good personality.
- I have a temper with a short fuse.
- Sometimes I brag and stretch the truth in my favor.
- I like to work hard and get things done.
- I get jealous easily.
- I am a thinker; I have a good mind and think things through.
- I tend to cut down and be critical of others.
- When I start something, I usually finish it.
- I hold grudges.
- I like to be artistic.
- I procrastinate; I ‘m always putting things off.
- I feel like I am a leader.
- I have a hard time keeping my word.
Ask:
- How did you feel responding to these statements and why?
- In what ways did you feel pressured to answer them in an acceptable way?
- How much do other people’s opinions matter to you, and why?
- What types of things do we do so others might have a favorable perception of us?
- What do you think it means to have confidence in God rather than ourselves?
- What are some practical ways to put our confidence in God rather than trying to please other people?
Close this session in prayer.