Jan23-29: The Fruit of the Spirit is Patience

Teaching Points

1. Read Exodus 34:6 and 2 Peter 3:8, 9 answering the following questions.

·      What does God proclaim Himself as?

·      What does patience mean?

·      How critical is it that God be patient with us?

·      How does God’s considering a thousand years as a day show His patience?

·      Why is God so patient?

·      How is God’s patience vital in answering the Great Controversy questions?

·      Why does God stand back and let some things happen? Is God lazy or is there another reason?

·      How has God been patient with you? Are you testing His patience?

2. Think about Ephesians 4:1, 2 and answer the following questions.

·      How are we to walk worthy of our calling?

·      Why is patience a part of walking worthy of our calling?

·      How do all these characteristics relate to each other?

·      Can you truly have one without the other?

·      How should we use these qualities in relating to others in the church?

·      How should we use these qualities in relating to our family?

·      Our family are the ones we should love the most; so shouldn’t we be the most patient and understanding with them?

·      If God treated you as you treated your family or church members, what would the result be?

3. Contemplate 2 Timothy 4:2 and the following questions.

·      Why do we need patience in preaching the gospel?

·      When you first heard the gospel, how long did it take you before you followed it?

·      Are you still learning aspects of the gospel?

·      If a person has heard the gospel 2 or 3 times, should you give up on them, thinking they will never respond?

·      How does this patience play out in how we present the Gospel?

·      Should we dump everything we know on a person all at once and expect them to accept it all? (Compare this with Mark 4:26-29.)

·      What lessons can we learn about planting the gospel seed from this parable?

·      How does the patience of a farmer show us how to be patient in presenting the Gospel?

·      Does all seed that you can plant grow fruit in the first year?

·      Some trees or plants don’t bear fruit until the second or third year—or longer—does that mean they are not growing?

4. Read Genesis 6:3 and 1 Peter 3:20 and answer the following.

·      Does God’s patience have its limits?

·      Notice that God says their hearts are only evil continually, but He still gives them 120 more years to repent with warning. How does this show a beautiful balance of mercy and justice?

·      Does God allow sin to go on forever?

·      Think about Sodom and Gomorrah, and the captivities of God’s people because of rebellion and sin. How do these stories show God’s patience and justice?

·      Even in giving His people punishments, did God leave them without pleading with them to repent?

·      How should this fact affect the way we deal with erring children or others?

·      Does justice give us an excuse to blow up or speak harshly, or scold or yell at others?

·      Should we not have a patient spirit as we administer the justice necessary for the offences?

·      What is the result if we carry patience to the extreme and fail to discipline our children or administer proper discipline in the church?

SOP:

·      Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns; and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. The only safe-guard against these dangers is to add to patience godliness,--to reverence God, His character and His law, and to keep His fear ever before the mind. By communion with God, through prayer and the reading of His Word, we should cultivate such a sense of the holiness of His character that we shall regard sin as He regards it.--AA 504

5. Read James 1:2-4 and answer the following questions.

·      How should we face trials?

·      Should we be discouraged when our whole day falls apart?

·      What are these trials teaching us?

·      In what ways can trials benefit our abiding in Christ experience?

·      Hopefully you want more patience by now! How can you get more patience?

·      What are some other words to describe trials?

·      Is it such a terrible thing to be tempted?

OBSERVATIONS:

·      Patience is a vital part of God’s character. That is why you and I are alive today!

·      Sometimes I have been tempted to think why isn’t God doing anything? But I have to remember He is doing things I can’t see and He has to allow some things in order to show the character of both sides in the Great Controversy. Life is not all about me!

·      Patience is vital in presenting the gospel. It is like a tiny seed that needs constant care and nurturing to grow into a fruitful plant.

·      Even in God’s judgments He was patient and merciful. He was constantly sending warnings and entreaties.

·      Justice is never an excuse to be hard rough or cruel to another human being made in God’s image. They may need correction, but it should never be administered in anger.

·      Trials can be a blessing if we face them with courage and overcome the temptations.

·      Each trial or temptation will strengthen our walk with God. This is a reason for joy!

SOP:

·      Be firm, be decided in carrying out Bible instruction, but be free from all passion. Bear in mind that when you become harsh and unreasonable before your little ones, you teach them to be the same. God requires you to educate your children, bringing into your discipline all the generalship of a wise teacher who is under the control of God. If the converting power of God is exercised in your home, you yourselves will be constant learners. You will represent the character of Christ, and your efforts in this direction will please God. Never neglect the work that should be done for the younger members of the Lord's family. You are, parents, the light of your home. Then let your light shine forth in pleasant words, in soothing tones of the voice. Take all the sting out of them by prayer to God for self-control. And angels will be in your home, for they will observe your light. The discipline you give your children will go forth in strong, clear currents from your correctly managed home to the world.  {CG 240.1} 

APPLICATIONS:

(Some application questions are included with the other questions.)

·      Think back over the past two days, have you been patient in everything?

·      Have you rejoiced in temptations knowing they will strengthen you—if you overcome them?

·      Are you committed to maintaining patience in your heart as you administer correction?

·      In what areas do you struggle the most in patience? What are some things that you can do to strengthen these weak points?

·      A person can never be patient while they are intemperate in what they eat or drink.  Is this a cause of your impatience? These things can really change how you feel and make the battle of patience almost impossible.

SUMMARY:

·      Patience is an attribute of God’s character. It is revealed over and over in the stories of Israel and other nations. Patience is a vital principle in sharing the gospel. Patience does not override justice or the need for correction. It does not excuse sin. We need patience, but how do we get it? God lovingly sends us trials! These trials, if joyfully faced and overcome, will develop patience in us. At the same time, trials will strengthen our dependence and relationship in Christ. So rejoice when tried!