Fruit of the Spirit – Patience
Video Questions
- How did patience show up in the story from the video?
- How was this patience the result of being connected to the Spirit?
Patience is the ability to suffer with grace the frustration and aggravation brought on by life, circumstances, and others.
Scripture
John 9.1-7:
1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
- How does Jesus exhibit patience in this passage?
- What can you learn about how to be patient from the example of Jesus here?
General Questions
- How has God been patient with you? How should this impact your ability to be patient?
- How can you do a better job of remembering God’s patience in your day-to-day life?
- What role does patience play in being the body of Christ?
- What is the opposite of patience? How does this negative trait impact Christian community?
- In what ways does being a witness of Jesus in the real world require patience?
- What impact can being patient have on those in your life who might not yet know Jesus?
Challenge
Be more patient this week. Hold the door open for someone else every time you have the opportunity. Let drivers into traffic when you normally wouldn’t. Don’t try to speed people along who are telling you stories about themselves. And see what God does during these times! Be prepared to share about your experiences next week!
Prayer
Father, you have consistently been patient with us. Your ability to give us space to make mistakes, to grow, and to turn back to you is so gracious. We can’t thank you enough! One way we’d like to thank you is by being patient with you and your plans for us. All too often we get nervous about our futures and we don’t trust you and your ways. Forgive us and empower us by your Spirit as we follow Jesus into the great unknown! In Jesus’ name, Amen.