Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Memory Verse: And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. 2 Timothy 2:24
Lesson Aim: To define and understand the power of gentleness.
What is gentleness? Gentleness is derived from the Greek word epiekeia or epiekia which denotes fairness, moderation, kindness, “sweet reasonableness.” (Vine’s Bible dictionary) Gentleness requires surrendering one’s will completely to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you.
Imagine the wonderful smell of a mango. Now imagine how ripe and pretty this mango looks. Continue to imagine yourself cutting it open and part of it is rotten or the seed has sprouted throughout the fruit. Some of us would immediately make a conscious decision not to eat another mango again and others may be very cautious before eating another mango.
Many of us are like this mango. On the outside we smell good and we look good but as soon as we are in a situation that cuts us (hurts) we tend not to portray a gentle reaction. Jesus has given us many samples of having a gentle spirit when men may hurt us and when reproving others.
At His crucifixion, Jesus said to the Father, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). When the woman was caught in the act of adultery, the scribes and Pharisees accused her and brought her to Jesus so that he would condemn her to death. Instead Jesus gently responded to her accusers by saying to them he that is without sin among you cast the first stone. Then Jesus gently told her that He did not condemn her, and that she should leave and sin no more. In both instances Jesus was gentle.
In order for an individual to have a gentle reaction or respond like Jesus towards those who hurt you or when reproving others, it requires allowing the Holy Spirit to fully operate in one’s life. Gentleness is not the normal human tendency when reacting to an individual who has hurt us. The normal human reaction is to lash back in order to protect one’s self.
Christ has demonstrated many times in the Bible the importance of being gentle when reacting to others. When Christ told the parable of the prodigal son, the father’s approach to the son’s request and return to the home was one of gentleness. Had the father told the son that he was no good and don’t come back, the son would have never thought to return home.
Although the father was hurt that his son had turned away from his teachings and the desires he had for his son’s success, the father remained calm and gentle. That was the last thing the son remembered of his father before he journeyed out into the wilds of the world.
Though Satan may allow people to feel that the world will offer them everything, there is a point where the prodigal feels like he is in the pig pen. If he desires to return home, but remembers home being as bad as the pig pen, then he will not return. But if he recalls a kind/gentle atmosphere at home, he will return. The power of gentleness will save souls!
Interact with God’s Word
- How can gentleness be used to save souls? 1 Thessalonians 2:6-9
- Consider Paul’s admonitions to Timothy and Titus. Why do you think they needed these instructions? 2 Timothy 2:24-25; Titus 3:1-2
- What characteristics distinguish the wisdom from above from the wisdom of the world? James 3:13-17
- Should gentleness take away from fervency, power and effectiveness? 2 Corinthians 10:1-5
- How did the prodigal son’s father handle the brother? Luke 15:25-32 Identify the specific acts that support your answer.