web analytics
Skip to main content

Cultivate Gentleness

Cultivate Gentleness

Gentleness

Review: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

THE VISION “We will reach the world for Jesus Christ one person at a time.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
THE MISSION “We will create Biblical disciples in relational environments.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
THE PROCESS “We will make disciples who make disciples of Jesus.” Share, Connect, Minister, Disciple (SCMD)

BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF GENTLENESS1

prautés: gentleness
Original Word: πρᾳΰτης, τητος, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: prautés
Phonetic Spelling: (prah-oo’-tace)
Definition: gentleness

Usage: mildness, gentleness.

Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV) 16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

JESUS IS GENTLE. As a disciple, I choose to submit to and live in Jesus’ gentleness.
Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) 28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 15:7–12 (ESV) 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

As a disciple of Jesus, I make a choice to give and receive gentleness.

Colossians 3:12 (NIV) Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Ephesians 4:1–3 (NIV) 1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

As a disciple of Jesus, I choose to practice and cultivate gentleness in my life.

Philippians 4:4–9 (NIV) 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

1 Peter 3:15–16 (NIV) 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

As a disciple of Jesus, I won’t give up!

Galatians 6:7–10 (NIV) 7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 25:15; Philippians 2:5-11 & 4:4,5

Icebreaker: What are some of your top things to do when the weather is beautiful?
1. What from the sermon was significant to you?
2. Choose a passage used in the sermon. Read it twice. What is it showing us about gentleness?
3. After hearing the sermon, how would you define gentleness? In what ways is that different from how you have thought of gentleness before?
4. Where are you most likely to be gentle? A) When are you least likely to be gentle?
5. Read Philippians 2:5-8 and Colossians 3:1,12. What place does gentleness have in your day-to-day life? A) What actions and attitudes does this challenge you to cultivate?
6. What fruit are you working with the Holy Spirit to cultivate in your life?

Try it! Read Galatians 5
Passages to prepare for next week, Cultivate! Week 10, Self Control
This week, read Titus 2:11-14, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 25:28