Gentleness

Wallace SC&W                           Rev. Stephen C. Wallace            SPIRITUAL MATURING BY OPENING UP                 Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23   Spiritual Maturity is not all about what we can achieve and do.  It is not just about the actions we take.  It is also about how much we allow Christ to dwell in us.  We are told that the Spirit offers us fruit that will bless us and others.  Yet we often close ourselves off from these blessings.  How open are you to receiving  these gifts from the Holy Spirit?   Gentleness:               1. Were your words this past week: (give a % of 100)                    ___ nice     or     ___ harsh?               2. Were your actions this past week: (give a % of 100)  ___abrupt/hurtful or ___ comforting/helpful?               3. How do you view gentleness? (check all that apply)                         ___ As a weakness                         ___ As an option                         ___ As treating with tenderness                         ___ As showing care                         ___ As giving ‘proper’ attention                         ___ As incompatible with justice                         ___ Other _________________________________   4. Are there people with whom you are not gentle?  Why? a___________________________________________ b___________________________________________ c___________________________________________   5. Where do you find gentleness easier to give?             ___ Family             ___ Friends             ___ Acquaintances             ___ Strangers             ___ With no one             ___ Co-workers             ___ Church             ___ Authority figures             ___ Service persons                         ___ Other: __________________________________   ********************************************************                The Next Step: How to Grow in your Spiritual Maturity                      (specific suggestion to questions in the inventory are labeled Q +                                               the number of the question) Gentleness:               Q.1/2 –If you were harsh or abrupt why?  Do you need to go back and             deal with that situation and the consequences of your harshness?  What             do you need to do?  How will you do it? Do you have feelings or thought             patterns that need to be changed so that future situations are handled            differently?  What are they and what will you do? _________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________   Q.3 -What does gentleness look like?  How have you experienced it? _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Study Jesus’ interaction with those in need or seeking to understand.  Noticing how and when he showed gentleness (e.g. John 4:46-53, 5:1-9, 9:1-7, Matthew 9: 1-6, 18-33, Luke 7:11-15)   Q.4 – Reflect on what makes it hard for you to be gentle in particular situations or with particular people.  List as many steps as you can to change areas that aren’t being positively handled or that could be handled better. Now choose the top 3-5 most important to you and list how you will begin making those changes:_______________________ ___________________________________________________             Q.5 -Our response to situations needs to change based on the needs present at the time.  Some moments call for greater gentleness while other situations may always need to be handled with gentleness.  Which of your situations always need gentleness: _______________ ____________________________________________________               List situations where you need to seek a better understanding or to            work at sensing how much gentleness is needing. List 2-3 ways in            each that you will show that gentleness or work to better understand. 1.      __________________________________________ a.______________________________________             b.______________________________________             c. ______________________________________ 2.   ___________________________________________             a._______________________________________             b._______________________________________             c. _______________________________________ 3.   ____________________________________________             a.________________________________________             b.________________________________________             c. ________________________________________