Kingdom Character: GENTLENESS (Week 9)

Preacher: Justin Matthews

Worship:
Song: Goodness of God or What a Beautiful Name

As you worship, thank God for His gentleness toward you.

Check-in:
Gentleness can feel rare in our world. Take a moment to share:

• Where have I recently experienced someone being gentle with me?
• Or where have I struggled to be gentle (with myself or others)?

Synopsis of message:
This week we looked at the fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness (Galatians 5:22 – 23).

• Greek word: prautēs – strength under control.
• Gentleness is not weakness. It is choosing how to respond instead of reacting.
• Jesus modeled gentleness with children (Matthew 19:13 – 15) and described Himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
• Gentleness begins in the heart. What fills my heart will spill out when I am squeezed.
• Gentleness requires being gentle with myself – remembering that God is patient and kind toward me.
• Gentleness is extended as I’m generous with gentleness – toward people I agree with, disagree with, or even struggle with.

Scripture Focus:

• Galatians 5:22 – 23
• Matthew 5:5
• Matthew 11:28 – 30
• Matthew 19:13 – 15
• Colossians 3:12 – 14
• Philippians 4:5

Discussion Questions:

1. The Heart of Gentleness
   • What is going on in my heart right now that could spill out in the way I respond to others?
   • What is going on in my heart right now that could spill out in the way I respond to others?
2. Gentle with Myself
   • Where am I most tempted to be harsh or impatient with myself?
   • How does remembering God’s gentleness toward me change how I treat myself?
3. Generous with Gentleness
   • Who in my world needs me to show gentleness this week?
   • What would it look like to respond with strength under control instead of reacting?
4. Living as a Witness
   • Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
   • How can my gentleness be a witness to those around me in practical ways?

Prayer Moment:

• Thank God for His gentleness toward us.
• Pray: “Holy Spirit, grow gentleness in my heart.”
• Ask God to help each person be gentle with themselves and extend gentleness to others.
• Pray for specific situations where group members need gentleness this week.

Next Step:
This week, I will:

• Pray daily: Holy Spirit, grow gentleness in me.
• Choose one intentional act of gentleness, either toward myself or someone else.