2024
Our Gentle Father
Passage: Galatians 5:22-25 & Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
“We are apt to think that [Christ], being so holy, is therefore of a severe and sour disposition against sinners, and not able to bear them. ‘No,’ says he; ‘I am meek; gentleness is my name and temper.’” —Thomas Goodwin, 17th century
“People will forget what you said, they may forget what you did, but they will not forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
SERMON OUTLINE:
- Gentle Fruit
- Gentle Father
- Gentleness evident to all
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
How would you define gentleness? What value does gentleness have in our culture? What value does gentleness have in God’s Word (consider Colossians 3:12; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15)?
Read Galatians 5:22-25 and Luke 15:1-2, 11-32. In what ways does the father in this parable show gentleness in how he interacts with each son? What behavior and speech is contrary to gentleness in this parable?
Jonathan Edwards, an American Puritan pastor wrote, “The difference between believing that God is gracious and tasting that God is gracious is as different as having a rational belief that honey is sweet and having the actual sense of its sweetness.” How have you experienced God’s gentleness towards you?
Philippians 4:5 instructs us, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Discuss how gentleness is distinct from reconciliation and entrusting yourself to others. In what ways can we show gentleness even when someone is untrustworthy or uninterested in reconciliation?
Consider the dynamic that if we are tender, but not truthful, we deceive. If we are truthful, but not tender, we damage. If we are truthful and tender, we develop. In light of these general principles, discuss how to practice gentleness to the next generation, in politics, with our enemies, and as men and women?
In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to cultivate gentleness? Read Matthew 11:28-29 and 1 Peter 2:23-24. How can seeing Jesus in his life and death and resurrection encourage you in letting your gentleness be evident to all?
PRAYER
Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5 )