The Fruit of Gentleness

June 22, 2020

DAILY READING

Philippians 4:5– “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

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. 

The Message translates today’s verse this way: “Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.” 

Making clear to people we’re on their side? What a way to think about gentleness! A few years ago, I got into a debate with a friend on Facebook. I honestly don’t even remember what the debate was about, but we vehemently disagreed. A few days later this person posted something toward me in anger, but I recognized the anger was covering up a deep grief. I named the grief, and they named mine. Instead of continuing to attack one another for our differing opinion, we reminded each other we were on the same side, working together for peace. Once we established we wanted to work for the same thing, the response toward me transformed from anger and contempt to deep and heartfelt gentleness. I learned a lot that day about responding with gentleness amidst disagreement, and that lesson continues to serve me well today.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Think of a person who regularly demonstrates gentleness toward you. How do you know they’re on your side? 

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• How do people know we’re on their side? Is it something we say? Something we do? Both?

PRAYER GUIDE

God thank you for being on our side, the side of all humanity and goodness. Thank you for reaching out to us with constant gentleness, even when your heart breaks over our actions. Make us more like Christ, gently standing in solidarity with those around us who need to know they’re not alone. 

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.

“Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Philippians 4:5

Who has demonstrated gentleness toward you? How has that been a gift to you? Take a moment to pray for and thank that person today!

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