Choose Gentleness: Consideration of Others
What image does the word gentleness conjure up in your mind? For me, it is the image of a mother tenderly holding her newborn child. We are at our most gentle when we are aware of the fragility and preciousness of what we are caring for. Why is gentleness a quality of the Spirit? Does God consider us both fragile and precious? How can we mirror His gentleness to others? This study will consider these and other questions.
What is gentleness?
Is it synonymous with meekness?
How does being treated gently improve our quality of life?
What is the opposite of gentleness?
How does gentleness or meekness differ from weakness?
Describe what meekness or gentleness means to you.
Consider the gentleness of Christ by meditating on one of the following passages:
Matthew 11:28-30; John 8:1-11; Psalm 23; Psalm 91.
If the holy, omnipotent God is gentle towards us, how much more must we learn to draw upon his gentleness in our dealings with one another. There are many passages in the epistles that speak of treating others with gentleness. What enables us to do so? What prevents us from doing so?
Read the following passages to begin reflecting on these questions:
Galatians 6:1-5; James 3:13- 4:12; 1 Peter 3
Gentleness: it is rarely a characteristic we consider when we think of the omnipotent Creator of the Universe. Yet, God declares Himself to be gentle! Jesus says he is meek and humble of heart!
Read Isaiah 40:1-11, then Psalm 23.
