Help Us – Week Five
This week, we’re talking about what the Bible calls “restoring” one another (Gal. 6:1-2)
Guiding Question: What do we do when someone close to us chooses to go down a bad path?
Restoration is the goal (Gal. 6:1):
- Our natural inclination is to do everything except restore someone else because these situations are emotional
- Keep watch on yourselves, lest you too be tempted
- This is incredibly important: The word “watch” means to examine
- These conversations have a way of bringing our own sin up to the surface
The how of restoration (Gal. 6:2):
- Paul says you restore by taking the complications and the consequences caused by this person’s sin onto yourself (2 Cor 5:17-21)
How did God treat you when you were stuck in sin?
- He sent his perfect son, Jesus, who had never rebelled against his father, who had never sinned or fallen short
So, when you notice someone is caught in sin, ask yourself…
- What am I feeling?
- Step back from all the emotions
- Is what I’m feeling appropriate?
- Sorrow is appropriate; anger isn’t
- Deal with the crud that rises up (remember how Jesus treated you)
- Go to that person with a genuine longing to restore them to their loving father
- And when you point out their sin, you say “How can I help?”