Chapter 6 Archives - Transforming Mission

Read

Review Galatians 6

Reflect

Chapter 6 is a continuation of Paul’s ethical teaching. By walking in the Spirit, we are free to live out acts of Christian love in everyday life situations. Because we belong to Christ and live out our responsibility as Christians, we are identified by the fruit of the Spirit. It is in the fruit we produce that we witness to who governs our lives. It is in and through our relationships that we live out our individual responsibility before God and our shared responsibility for each other in the congregation and the community.

Respond

Follow Jesus

You did it! For six weeks, you journeyed through reading, reflecting, and responding to God. While this journey may be ending, your journey with Christ continues. Consider how the next six weeks of your life with Christ will continue to help you grow in grace and bear the fruit of the spirit. Celebrate God’s grace at work in your life and the life of the local church. For forty-two days you’ve focused on following Jesus. Our encouragement is simple: Keep going!

Pray

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for the journey through Galatians. Thank you for speaking to me and through me and helping me to grow to become more like you. May all that I’ve experienced be used for your glory and the good of your people. Amen.

Celebrate

Where did you experience God’s grace today?

We’re celebrating each one of you. Thank you for the privilege of Following Jesus Every Day with you. Whether you responded daily on social media or never shared your response, we give God thanks for the journey of faith you’ve experienced. Know of our continued prayers for you and the ministry of the church. May the grace you experienced through the study of Galatians continue to guide you.

Grace and peace to you!

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Galatians 6, Day 6

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Galatians 6:17-18

Paul bore the scars of his missionary experience. He not only proclaimed the message of the cross; it was imprinted on his body. We may not be called upon to produce the marks Paul could produce, but there are marks which identify us.

Reflect

If we belong to Christ we are branded. Within the shared life of the people of God, the mark is the fruit of the Spirit. And in that body, the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ is received and shared. What mark identifies you as a follower of Jesus? As you journeyed through Galatians, how has that mark helped you identify God’s grace?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Paul points to the identifying mark of love throughout Galatians. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ guide your words, actions, and intentions today.

Pray

Jesus, all glory and honor are yours. Thank you for loving me for who I am and not leaving me where I am. Use me today to share your love with others. Amen.

Celebrate

Where did Christ’s love, the mark of the Spirit, show up in your life today?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Chapter 6, Galatians

Galatians 6, Day 5

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Galatians 6:14-16

The old world was marked by distinctions and separation. One received one’s identity by polarized categories: Jew or Gentile, law-keeper or law-ignorer, male or female, slave or free. The new world that came into being in Jesus Christ overcame the law and circumcision. It also overcame non-law and non-circumcision, religion and non-religion.

Reflect

Pay special attention today to the new thing(s) God is doing in your midst. What transformation are you and the community around you experiencing?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Ask your spouse or friend, “What new thing is happening in your life?” Perhaps you’ll also be able to speak to where you see the transformation happening in your life.

Pray

God you are making all things new. I praise you for the Spirit’s work in my life and the lives of the people I love. Continue to help us grow in grace. Amen.

Celebrate

What new thing is God doing in the midst of your life and the lives of others? What new thing did you hear about today?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Chapter 6, Galatians

Galatians 6, Day 4

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Galatians 6:11-13

Although Paul dictated his letters, he usually wrote a personal note at the end of the letter. His concluding words are not warm and personal. Just as he began without thanksgiving, so he concludes without personal warmth or mentioning any names. Instead, he includes a summary of the message of the letter.

Reflect

Throughout Galatians, we’ve heard Paul contrast the law and grace. He offers one final reminder today that circumcision does not make someone faithful. Today, pay attention to the places in your life where you’re doing something simply to “look good” or seeking the approval of others.

Respond

Follow Jesus

Consider your relationships with family, friends, colleagues, the congregation and your local community. Which relationship(s) are inclined to be directed by rules? Which relationship(s) are inclined to be directed by grace? What makes the difference?

Pray

Jesus, fill me with grace. Help me to see the people I meet as individuals who are growing in grace. May all that I say and do today bring you glory and work for the good of the people I meet. Amen.

Celebrate

Where did you see, experience, and/or embody grace today?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Chapter 6, Galatians

Galatians 6, Day 3

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Galatians 6:9-10

Paul urges mutual care for those in the family of faith. Although the family of faith includes members of the Christian community, Christian concern is not limited to taking care of the needs of church members. It is directed to all.

Reflect

The church is in the world to represent God’s care for the whole world, whether or not the world responds. Given your responsibilities today, when will you offer care for someone else? Consider the unscheduled times of your day as an opportunity to reach out to someone who needs encouragement or care.

Respond

Follow Jesus

Who in your life and community needs encouragement or care today? Who is on your heart? Offer the person to God in prayer. Seek to understand how you can respond today. Then, do it!

Pray

Lord Jesus, you know the needs of the people around me. Use me to be an instrument of loving-kindness today and always. Amen.

Celebrate

Who encouraged you today? Who did you encourage or offer care to today?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Chapter 6, Galatians

Galatians 6, Day 2

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Read

Galatians 6:6-8

Paul is reminding the Galatians, and us, the harvest is relevant to both our spiritual development and describes our destiny.

Reflect

Daily life involves a constant choice between what vies for our attention. Be mindful that we pattern our lives and mold our character by the choices we make.Consider what you’re planting and harvesting. Do your choices focus on the selfless character of Christ? If no, what may need to change?

Respond

Follow Jesus

Consider your responsibilities today. What seeds can you plant in your life and the lives of others today?

Pray

Holy God, I confess some days I scatter seeds, some days I hoard seeds, and some days I plant seeds with love. Use me today to plant seeds that will yield a harvest of love in my life and our community. Amen.

Celebrate

What seeds did you or others plant today?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

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Chapter 6, Galatians

Galatians 6, Day 1

From the Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians Reading Plan

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Read

Galatians 6:1-5

Paul is talking about how the Spirit governs our lives in our social relationships. Walking in the Spirit requires more than choosing when, where, and whom we will love and serve.

Reflect

As we are free from the law as a way of salvation, we are free to live out acts of Christian love to fulfill the love of Christ. We have both an individual responsibility before God and a shared responsibility for each other in the congregation.

Consider today how your individual responsibility before God interacts with shared responsibilities within the Christian community.

Respond

Follow Jesus

Consider today how your individual responsibility before God interacts with shared responsibilities within the Christian community.

You’ve been on a journey. In this final week of following Jesus every day, reflect on where this journey began for you. Are you more focused on your individual piety or shared responsibility of social holiness? Today, may the scripture reading guide you.

Pray

Holy God, thank you for deepening my relationship with you and helping me respond to others with loving kindness. Amen.

Celebrate

Where did you respond to God’s love today? In searching the scripture? In serving others? Somewhere in between?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Extra Thoughts

If you haven’t taken a moment to review the “Overview of Following Jesus Every Day: Galatians,” please do so. You’ll find a few tips that will help you start this journey.

Receive the Reading Plan by Email