Embracing Gentleness: Transforming Conversations and Connections
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's wonderful to gather here in worship. We have several announcements today, including the resumption of our Wednesday night family dinner and the start of the Empower Kids for Christ program. We're excited about the positive response we've received online and hope to see new faces. Additionally, I'll be teaching a class on Revelation, available both in-person and via Zoom. Please keep Judy and Mike in your prayers as they recover from COVID, and note that Judy's class will be postponed by a week. Our 65th anniversary potluck is coming up on October 6th, and we hope to have a full house for our district superintendent's sermon.
Today, we delve into the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We often overlook gentleness, but it is a crucial virtue, especially in our current climate of divisive conversations. Gentleness is not about weakness; it’s about strength under control. It allows us to break down walls and foster meaningful, respectful dialogues.
We explored the life of Saint Jane Francis de Chantal, who, under the guidance of Bishop Francis de Sales, learned to practice gentleness and other "little virtues" like humility, cheerfulness, patience, and hospitality. These virtues transformed her life and those around her, leading her to establish an order of nuns that accepted women who were otherwise deemed unfit for convent life.
In our discussions, especially those that are politically or religiously charged, practicing gentleness can be transformative. It helps us to avoid anger, quarrels, and factions, which are works of the flesh, and instead, embrace the fruits of the Spirit. By doing so, we not only maintain our peace but also create a space where meaningful conversations can happen.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Gentleness: Gentleness is often undervalued in our society, but it is a powerful fruit of the Spirit. It allows us to approach others with kindness and respect, breaking down walls and fostering genuine connections. Practicing gentleness can transform our interactions and help us maintain our peace. [43:00]
2. Saint Jane Francis de Chantal's Transformation: Saint Jane's journey from a perfectionist to a practitioner of gentleness under the guidance of Bishop Francis de Sales is a powerful example. Her story teaches us that embracing the "little virtues" can lead to profound personal and communal transformation. [49:43]
3. Gentleness in Divisive Conversations: In our current climate of divisive political and religious conversations, gentleness can be a game-changer. It helps us avoid anger and quarrels, allowing us to engage in meaningful, respectful dialogues. This approach not only preserves our peace but also sets a positive example for others. [54:27]
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The fruits of the Spirit, including gentleness, come from the Holy Spirit. By allowing the Spirit to work in us, we can embody these virtues and positively impact our interactions with others. This spiritual transformation is essential for living out our faith authentically. [56:12]
5. Practical Application of Gentleness: Practicing gentleness means not demonizing others, paying attention to our tone, and recognizing the humanity in those we disagree with. It’s about changing ourselves rather than trying to change others. This approach can lead to healthier, more constructive conversations. [57:26]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [07:02] - Announcements
3. [09:43] - Opening Prayer
4. [10:44] - Children's Message: Fruits of the Spirit
5. [21:44] - Interactive Activity with Kids
6. [23:13] - Prayer with Children
7. [37:17] - Offering and Blessing
8. [38:00] - Scripture Reading
9. [40:21] - Sermon Introduction: How to Argue Like a Christian
10. [41:23] - Importance of Listening
11. [42:22] - Highlighting Gentleness
12. [43:00] - Gentleness as a Fruit of the Spirit
13. [44:06] - Story of Saint Jane Francis de Chantal
14. [49:43] - Practicing Little Virtues
15. [54:27] - Gentleness in Conversations
16. [56:12] - Role of the Holy Spirit
17. [57:26] - Practical Application of Gentleness
18. [58:41] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Join the Church
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
2. Philippians 4:5 (NIV): "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."
3. James 1:19 (NIV): "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23? [10:44]
2. According to Philippians 4:5, what should be evident to everyone?
3. In James 1:19, what three actions does James advise believers to take in their interactions with others?
4. How did Saint Jane Francis de Chantal's practice of gentleness transform her life and those around her? [50:46]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might gentleness be considered a powerful fruit of the Spirit, especially in today's divisive climate? [43:00]
2. How did Saint Jane Francis de Chantal's journey from perfectionism to practicing gentleness under the guidance of Bishop Francis de Sales illustrate the transformative power of the "little virtues"? [49:43]
3. In what ways can practicing gentleness help us avoid anger, quarrels, and factions in our conversations, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23? [55:02]
4. How does the Holy Spirit enable believers to embody the fruits of the Spirit, including gentleness, in their daily interactions? [56:12]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conversation where you felt anger or frustration. How could practicing gentleness have changed the outcome of that interaction? [54:27]
2. Think of a person in your life who often disagrees with you. What specific steps can you take to approach your next conversation with them in a spirit of gentleness? [57:26]
3. Saint Jane Francis de Chantal practiced "little virtues" like humility, cheerfulness, patience, and hospitality. Which of these virtues do you find most challenging, and how can you begin to cultivate it in your daily life? [49:43]
4. How can you make your gentleness evident to all, as Philippians 4:5 suggests, in your workplace or community?
5. Identify a situation where you tend to lose your peace. What practical steps can you take to maintain your peace and practice gentleness in that situation? [56:49]
6. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you embody the fruits of the Spirit, especially gentleness, in your interactions this week? [56:12]
7. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it as part of your interactions with your family? [10:44]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Gentleness
Gentleness is often undervalued in our society, but it is a powerful fruit of the Spirit. It allows us to approach others with kindness and respect, breaking down walls and fostering genuine connections. Practicing gentleness can transform our interactions and help us maintain our peace. [43:00]
"Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:5, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you felt tension or conflict. How could you have approached it with more gentleness? What specific actions can you take to ensure your gentleness is evident in future interactions?
Day 2: Saint Jane Francis de Chantal's Transformation
Saint Jane's journey from a perfectionist to a practitioner of gentleness under the guidance of Bishop Francis de Sales is a powerful example. Her story teaches us that embracing the "little virtues" can lead to profound personal and communal transformation. [49:43]
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a "little virtue" you struggle with, such as humility or patience. How can you begin to practice this virtue in your daily life, following the example of Saint Jane Francis de Chantal?
Day 3: Gentleness in Divisive Conversations
In our current climate of divisive political and religious conversations, gentleness can be a game-changer. It helps us avoid anger and quarrels, allowing us to engage in meaningful, respectful dialogues. This approach not only preserves our peace but also sets a positive example for others. [54:27]
"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a topic that often leads to heated discussions in your life. How can you approach these conversations with a soft answer and a gentle spirit to foster understanding and respect?
Day 4: The Role of the Holy Spirit
The fruits of the Spirit, including gentleness, come from the Holy Spirit. By allowing the Spirit to work in us, we can embody these virtues and positively impact our interactions with others. This spiritual transformation is essential for living out our faith authentically. [56:12]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of gentleness in your heart. How can you be more open to the Spirit's work in your life today?
Day 5: Practical Application of Gentleness
Practicing gentleness means not demonizing others, paying attention to our tone, and recognizing the humanity in those we disagree with. It’s about changing ourselves rather than trying to change others. This approach can lead to healthier, more constructive conversations. [57:26]
"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you disagree with on a significant issue. How can you change your approach to this person to reflect humility, gentleness, and love? What steps can you take to maintain unity and peace in your relationship?
Quotes
1. "We all know that in polite kind of conversations, we're supposed to avoid both politics and religion. That's probably an unwritten rule. Maybe it's written in some places. But it's because we don't do this well. We fail in our call to witness to our faith because we are not listening to how Scripture tells us to do so. And so after this series, hopefully you feel like you have some tools. Maybe you feel like you're a little more comfortable in having those kind of conversations." [40:53] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Gentleness is very different. Gentleness is not something that's valued within our culture, within our society. Gentleness is something that maybe we even feel like we're doing something wrong if we're practicing it. Maybe we're inviting others to walk all over us if we are practicing the spiritual gift of gentleness. But what are we going to do with this passage? What are we going to do with this fruit of the Spirit except for practice it?" [44:06] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Instead of saying, well you've got to pray harder, you've got to work harder to do this, you've got to add these other ten things onto your already busy schedule, onto your plate, he said instead of doing all of those things, he said, begin with the little virtues. He said, try to practice gentleness. Try to practice humility and cheerfulness. Patience and hospitality. He said instead of praying for hours at a time on your knees, try praying by sitting on your bed." [49:43] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Gentleness is not about means that we enter into these conversations and we're not going to demonize the other person. We're going to pay attention to the tone that we use we enter into these discussions. And we're going to see these other people that are created from a God that created us as well." [54:27] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The antidote, alternative, Paul says, is to turn to the Spirit. To allow the Spirit to change us so that we can claim those little virtues, those things that society does not cherish, does not value, does not teach. But as Christians, if we would begin to hear about those little virtues, gentleness probably primary, then we can change the needle in how we have these discussions." [56:12] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "But if I'm practicing the gift of gentleness, and I find somebody who wants to be that way, I can walk away and know that I don't have to have that conversation. I don't have to give up the peace that I have. But it's the Holy Spirit that allows me to do that. And it's my practice of gentleness that says I don't have to win that fight. I don't have to play join into the methods that are being used." [57:26] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "In fact, I think if I can get some kind of audience, if I can begin a conversation in a healthier way, maybe I can have some kind of effect on the person who's trying to be ugly. Maybe. Maybe not. Not my job to change them. My job is to focus on me. My job is to practice these gifts of the Spirit. To make a claim that they come from God. And to cherish them. In a world where they're not valued. But in the kingdom, those little virtues mean the world." [58:03] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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