Scripture Focus

Galatians 6:1–5 invites the church to restore gently, carry one another’s burdens, test our own actions, resist comparison, and faithfully

carry the responsibilities entrusted to us.

Opening Reflection

Christian community is not built by treating people as problems to solve. It grows when we see people with compassion, make room for weakness, and practice the patient work of restoration. Ken’s message helps us distinguish between a “boulder”—a crushing burden no one should face alone—and a “backpack”—a responsibility that belongs to the person carrying it. Healthy churches do both: they share what is overwhelming and encourage faithful ownership of what is ours.

Discussion Questions

1.    What word, image, or idea from Galatians 6:1–5 stands out to you most? Why?

2.    How does Paul’s instruction to restore someone gently shape the way we respond when a fellow Christian struggles or sins?

3.    Why does Paul warn the person offering restoration to watch themselves? What dangers can accompany helping?

4.    What changes when we see someone as a person with problems instead of seeing them as the problem?

5.    Describe the difference between a “boulder” and a “backpack.” What examples of each come to mind?

6.    Why can it be difficult to let others help carry one of our boulders?

7.    How can taking over another person’s backpack actually keep them from growing?

8.    What role do humility and self-examination play in healthy burden bearing?

9.    Paul cautions against comparison. Where does comparison tempt us either toward pride or discouragement?

10. How does bearing burdens fulfill the law of Christ? What does Jesus show us about this kind of love?

11. Who in your life may be carrying a boulder right now? What specific, appropriate help could you offer this week?

12. What responsibility in your own backpack do you need to carry more faithfully—with God’s strength and your church family’s encouragement?

Digging Deeper

Romans 15:1–3 Bearing with the weak and following Christ’s self-giving example.

1 Corinthians 12:21–26 The body’s members belong to one another; suffering and honor are shared.

Matthew 11:28–30 Jesus receives the weary and gives a yoke that is kind and a burden that is light.

Luke 10:25–37 The Samaritan’s mercy becomes practical, costly, and personal.

Colossians 3:12–14 Compassion, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love clothe the community of Christ.

1 Peter 5:6–7 We cast our anxieties on God because he cares for us.

Weekly Challenge

Choose one burden-bearing action and one responsibility action. First, reach out to someone who may be facing a boulder: listen without rushing, ask what would genuinely help, and follow through on one concrete act of care. Second, identify one item in your own backpack that you have avoided or handed to someone else. Take the next faithful step and invite prayer—not rescue—as you do it.

Prayer Focus

Jesus, ultimate burden bearer, give us eyes to see people with compassion and wisdom to know how to help. Make us gentle when someone

needs restoration, humble when we offer support, honest about our own weakness, and faithful with the responsibilities you have entrusted to us. Form Tenth & Broad into a church where no one carries a boulder alone and every person is encouraged to walk in mature faith. Amen.

Closing Practice

Before the group ends, allow a quiet minute for each person to name—silently or aloud—one boulder needing shared prayer and one backpack

responsibility requiring faithful action. Close by praying for courage to receive help and grace to offer it well.