September 5 Sermon Discussion Guide - "Gentle Living in a Harsh World"
Sunday we continued our examination of the first few verses of Ephesians 4, where Paul urges the church in Ephesus to live in a manner worthy of the calling to which they had been called. They were being called to visibly, outwardly demonstrate the innate, intrinsic reality that was theirs in Jesus Christ: Unity. And for Paul it seems that our charitable conduct is the means by which we demonstrate that unity. How well we love one another paves the road toward unity. Last week we focused on our call into humble love. This week our focus shifted to gentleness, which Paul urges in verse 2:
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Now there is obviously a lot of overlap in these qualities Paul uses to instruct the church. In fact, the word that is translated as ‘gentleness’ in verse 2, is translated elsewhere in the New Testament as ‘meekness’ (like Matthew 5—blessed are the meek) or ‘humility’.
It was suggested that a gentle heart and spirit is one that refuses to walk over the life of another. It is one that eschews harshness, being critical, being closed off, and cynicism in favor of gentle alternatives. This is an important part of our vocation as followers of Jesus because it helps lead us into personal and communal health and peace, it enables spiritual depth, and it’s who Jesus is and how he interacts with us. We see this when Jesus describes his heart in Matthew 11:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus describes his heart as gentle and lowly. These characteristics were animating features of his life and how he approached people. And his followers are called into similar gentleness. Furthermore, responding to Jesus’ invitation to rest in those gentle arms might be the path forward in our pursuit of gentle living in a harsh world.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Is gentleness desirable? Do you find it difficult to live gently in a harsh world?
2. How might resting in the gentle arms of Jesus propel us into gentleness?
3. It was suggested that gentleness is not only an area for people with a particularly abrasive
or rough personality to grow in. There are a variety of subtle ways a lack of gentleness is
manifested among us (i.e. cynicism and always operating from a place of extremes).
Did this suggestion resonate with you? Why or why not?
4. Are there any unique challenges you experience in the pursuit of gentle living?
Texts from Sundays Liturgy:
Call to Worship – Psalm 146
Scripture Reading – James 1:19-27
Prayer for the Week
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.