The Allure of Gentleness

June 26, 2020

DAILY READING

Matthew 11:29 – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

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. 

In his book The Allure of Gentleness, Dallas Willard writes that we are to share our faith not with defensiveness, but with gentleness. He says in the introduction,

“However firm we may be in our convictions, we do not become overbearing, contemptuous, hostile, or defensive. We know that Jesus himself would not do so, because we cannot help people in that way. He had no need of it, nor do we. And in apologetics, as everywhere, he is our model and our master. Our confidence is totally in him. That is the “special place” we give him in our hearts—how we “in [our] hearts sanctify Christ as Lord” (1 Pet. 3:15) —in the crucial service of apologetics.

And that is why our apologetic needs to be characterized by gentleness. Like Jesus, we are reaching out in love in a humble spirit with no coercion. The only way to accomplish that is to present our defense gently, as help offered in love in the manner of Jesus.”

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Why do you have faith in Jesus? What’s he done for your life? How would your life look different without him? 
• Journal your response. Once you can articulate these answers, you may find you can share your faith with joy and ease. 

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Discuss the phrase, “You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”

PRAYER GUIDE

Jesus, you command us to make disciples and spread the good news of God’s love for us through the story of your life, ministry and resurrection. But we can’t do that from a position of defense or contempt. We must, instead, show our neighbors how easy it is to bear your yoke, that it fits perfectly, and that it gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Let us shower our neighbors with these gifts, that they may see how truly rich we are. 

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.

“I choose gentleness… Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”

– Max Lucado

Is there someone in your life who has shared their beliefs or convictions with you in a gentle and loving way? Reflect on how you felt. Would you have felt differently if they had not done so in a gentle way? Who is God calling you to pray for today?

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