Be Gentle

June 24, 2020

DAILY READING

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

FIELD NOTES

This week we are examining the fruit of gentleness, imagining new and powerful ways we can birth gentleness into the world around us. 

As a parent of a 2 and 4-year-old, there are plenty of words I never knew I’d have to say regularly. “Don’t lick your sister,” “We don’t answer the door naked,” and “No, we cannot have ice cream for breakfast…again. (We did that yesterday!)” are just a few.

Parenting in a pandemic has ushered in a whole new batch of phrases I wasn’t used to saying. “Don’t touch anything,” “Come here, get some hand sanitizer,” and “I know you miss your friends. I really miss them too” have become regular mantras.

But one word was common before the pandemic, and it continues to come out of my mouth today: Gentle. “Use gentle hands when you’re petting the cat.” “Gentle, gentle, if you bang the toy on the ground it might break.” And a favorite, “We use kind hands and words because God wants us to be gentle with each other.”

Gentleness does not come naturally to children. Parents and caregivers must constantly remind them to pull back and restrain their abundant energy to keep others from getting hurt. And because God is our parent, we too are being reminded and cautioned through Scripture to be gentle in our interactions with one another. So when your instinct is to lash out in anger, pull back. Be gentle. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Who taught (or is teaching) you to be gentle? Give thanks for them. Share the lessons. Keep learning.

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• We’ve all had experience petting cats, dogs, hamsters, or maybe another animal. What happens if you’re not gentle with these animals? How does the animal protect itself?

PRAYER GUIDE

Loving God, we thank you for the reminders to be gentle with each other. Remind us also to be gentle with ourselves. You have given each of us grace upon grace, and we are thankful for each opportunity to practice gentleness in this lifetime, recognizing that you are purifying us to bear more fruit for the kingdom. 

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT CHALLENGE

For the duration of our sermon series, we are offering daily prompts for applying the wisdom from the scriptures to our everyday lives. Each week focuses on how we can encourage those around us and bear fruit! This week we are focusing on the fruit of gentleness.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

Reflect on the Lord’s gentleness in your own life. Take a moment to thank him for his grace. How can you practice having gentleness towards those around you today?

To learn more about the Fruit of the Spirit challenge, click here.