OPENING QUESTIONS:

1. This is Memorial Day week. Do you know someone who has served and/or died serving our country? What is their story?

2. What is your favorite fruit?

IN THE WORD:

1. Contrast the “acts of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit”. Specifically, how is gentleness a contrast to wrath or rage? Galatians 5:19-22

2. How does Paul describe life in the Spirit? What is the difference between the natural self and the spirit-controlled self? Galatians 5:13-23

3. How do these encounters from the life of Jesus illustrate having the “eyes of Jesus”, i.e., gentleness? Luke 18:15-17; John 8:1-11

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Pastor Todd gave a practical definition for gentleness as “turning the reins of your anger and aggravation over to the Holy Spirit”. On a scale of 1 to 5 with one being “I’m never angry” and five being “I’m always angry”, what is your anger rating? What would your spouse or close friend say?3. How do these encounters from the life of Jesus illustrate having the “eyes of Jesus”, i.e., gentleness? Luke 18:15-17; John 8:1-11

2. How can gentleness through the Holy Spirit help improve your rating?

3. What are some things you can do on a daily basis to live life in the Spirit?

4. Have you been praying the daily prayers that have been provided each week during this series? Has that been helpful in living your life more surrendered to the Holy Spirit?

5. Pray together as a group, or individually, this week’s prayer below.

CONTINUED LEARNING:

What were the difficult circumstances that the Philippians and Paul were dealing with in the context of this letter? Read the entire book of Philippians and make a list of the difficult circumstances he mentioned.

Say this prayer daily:

Loving Father,

Thank you for calling us to a spirit of kindness and gentleness.

In a world where the loudest and the angriest take up all the air, You've commanded us to lead out with a gentle spirit of love.

This does not mean we are to sit back and remain complacent, rather it means it calls us to servant leadership that will speak for itself.

Teach us to be humble, full of warmth and Christ-like tenderness as we walk through life.

Through Your Spirit, lead us to move in compassion.

Amen