This Week’s Reading: Galatians 5:13–25

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Introduction and Ice Breaker

What is the experience or restaurant you can’t wait to open as Covid restrictions ease?
What can you mourn or celebrate this week?

Themes to Consider

Creation narrative: created from love for love

God’s pre-existence - creation is in essence a product of his substance
God’s perfection
God’s power: created by the power of his word
God’s plurality: exists in perfect love

Lost in the Fall:

Nearness to God
Image of God distorted
Governing in love

Christ’s fullness of restoration:

One with the Father - John 10:30
Restored image of God - Heb 1:3
New command: to love

Love: the distinction of the people of God

Love is carrying each other’s burdens

Love not with words or speech but with actions and in truth

BASIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

How do I live connected with the presence of God?
How am I growing to become more like Jesus?
How am I showing love?

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR LIFE

What are the actual (not simply my desired) habits in my life right now?
What streams of information, learning, or culture most regularly inform me?
What are the sins, struggles, distractions, conditions, or wounds that are impacting my life right now?
What are the realities (opportunities or limitations) of this season of my life and world that I must accept?
Who are my friends? What is the community that I actually rely on and share life with?
Who are people unlike me that I get in proximity with?
What do I find myself repeatedly thinking about, bothered by, or inspired by? Where can I be a tangible expression of love?

Guided Prayer

Silence…
Remove distractions as much as you can and spend two minutes (time it if helpful) in silence, noticing your body, your emotions and thoughts. Perhaps use a simple phrase to pray silently so that you stay focused.

“For God so loved that he gave…”

“We love because you first loved us”

Read…
1 John 2:5–6 (ESV): By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Presence with God leads to walking as he did, the love of God made known.

Express prayers of…

Adoration: praise God for who he is: powerful, preexisting, one, etc.
Confession: confess the ways in which you have paid attention to your spiritual growth but neglected issues of neighborly love like justice and equity
Thanksgiving: for his love, for laying down his life
Supplication: pray for those who you are called to love; pray for those who might be against you.

Supplemental Content and Quotes

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. —Galatians 5:13-26

“What kind of nation is this, that can be comfortable with a police officer kneeling on someone’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds? And when you start asking that question, then all of the kinds of narratives and shibboleths begin to quake.” —Carol Anderson

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. —1 John 3:16-18

Week Four: Galatians 5:13–25