Welcome to our ninth week of Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore. If you have been reading along with us, we’ve already covered love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. This week we looked at the fruit of Gentleness. We’ll be completing our study next week with a look at self-control.
(Image: Unsplash)
Our guest post this week is from Tonya Jones, author of PoeticWord.org She is currently aspiring to obtain her seminary degree in Biblical Counseling with theological studies of the New and Old Testament. Tonya now manages and operates her own publishing company called By Faith Publishing through which she aspires to help others spread the love of Christ through poetry.
Hello Everyone,
I pondered over how I could summarize this ninth week of such an amazing Bible study. Have any of you realized yet, that by studying the Fruit of the Spirit we were given a personal invitation to explore the inner and most sacred components of the heart of our Sovereign Creator, God Himself? And what is so wonderfully beautiful about it, is that we were given front row seats with the Holy Spirit Himself being our tour guide helping us to understand each of their divine characteristics.
Around 5:30 am this Sunday, these tingling sensations in my brain awoke me from a deep sleep saying “that’s it! That’s it!” I sat up, wanting to run to the tallest building overlooking the world and watch these little light bulbs popping on as each of you came into the same truth about our amazing study. I just knew that someone must have discovered what I just had. I wonder how many nights of revelations Beth must have experienced as she researched to find the best narratives for this study. Since I realize that I could probably never put into words with clarity the revelation that suddenly invaded my thoughts last evening, and how my heart overflows with this newfound adoration for our loving all-wise Heavenly Father, I will just stick to giving this week’s summary as best I can.
I applaud Beth Moore for taking these amazing characteristics of God and breaking them down for us to relate to. Her repository is the insights given by the inspired devout men of God, who remember were transformed by the Spirit themselves, “some remembering first-hand accounts” expressed as best they could in scripture the full Fruit of the Spirit giving us all an inside view of the most intriguing attributes of our Triune Creator. Then ultimately, the most important and relevant truth that we all must realize is the only real way that any of us can experience the absolute fullness of this study is through our Faith.
In this ninth week, Beth explored the Greek word praotes, which when translated means gentleness. We learned that Gentleness in the Fruit of the Spirit has three important aspects submission, humility, and teachability. We learned how all of these components make up a gentle behavior that can only be obtained through complete surrender and faith. One can’t completely surrender unless one truly believes “correct”? They go hand in hand.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that I have truly enjoyed this study and look forward to sharing future studies at this wonderful Bible Café™. I must end my summation now for fear that I began rambling to you about the amazing revelations that I just experienced. For those of you who have children will understand this last point probably better than those who don’t. When your child was born, your sole purpose became to teach this little person everything you could about their parents. You instilled in them your beliefs, influenced them with your personalities, and proudly watched as they grew into adult versions of yourselves. Imagine now how God the Father did with us at Creation. Created in their image we needed to become familiar with the attributes that make us part of their unique structure.
Though we got sidetracked and fell into the temptation of the flesh, it was always evident that God the Father’s sole purpose was to help us come into our inheritance of the Fruit of the Spirit. After all, we are His children and He wants us to be just like Him. Scripture reveals how time after time God the Father breathed humility and gentleness toward our rebellious behavior. Yet the one part of the Trinity that I want to conclude with is the gentleness that embodied our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How humbling it must have been for him to take on human form and leave the comforts of Heaven’s perfectness to come and be Jesus for all of us, to this wonderful Spirit of whom we are now studying. I can’t think of a better teacher- can you?
The Sword of the Spirit is to injure Satan, not the body of Christ. -Beth Moore
Assignment For Next Week
- Read Week Ten in the workbook
- Listen to the Session Ten Audio (optional)
- OR…Listen to the Session Ten Video (optional)
God’s Word has always provided me with strength. When I am in The Word the world just goes away and I feel such peace. I wish I never never had to come back to this place. God has work for me here though so I endure but only through His Word and the support of Christian friends and family.My grandson is in the service and spend a lot time in The Word praying over his safety. He has always come home all in one piece. He is being tormented by Satan right now and he and I pray together often over the phone. He is winning this battle but has been tough. God is awesome and will see us through all. We just need a mustard seed of faith.
God bless and keep you all.
It is wonderful that He has you to pray with him. I will pray too that God will give him peace in the midst of his storm. God Bless you Both.
During this winter season I like to think of God’s Word as my winter coat. It warms me, keeps me safe from harm, and protects my heart. I would not leave the house without it- and I would not leave the house without God’s Word nestled inside my heart.
I’m running behind but hope to get caught back up this weekend
I only started reading the Bible recently … as in maybe 2 years now. I did read Matthew once in high school. The first Bible study I did (there was one I tried once when I tried church in my 30’s – in my 50’s now – and the only thing I remember about that was the house where we met) was Beth Mooore’s Believeing God. It was really hard for me. Although I liked it I didn’t understand a lot of it. Then I did the Kelly Minter Ruth study this summer. This is when things really started to click for me. Now I am doing this one and realize I don’t ever want to go without reading God’s word. Now, I will admit that for the first time in this study I am a few days behind (and the dog broke my CD player this weekend so I couldn’t listen to this week’s CD!!), but I will catch up and continue. It’s amazing what the word says to me. Yes, it is true once in awhile I might find a whole page or 2 of the study where I am thinking … say what?? but that’s OK. It just probably isn’t something God wants to dazzle me with at this time … the next pages will.
Renee,
Good job keep up the good work. Sorry your dog(name?) broke your CD player….will it not run on your computer?? Onyx and Brandi(dogs), mess with me by wanting to go out twenty or more times when I am studying. LOL. If you only know how rebillious I was before I come to the Lord, and how many times I have turned away from Him, but I always come back to Him. The Ruth study was aawesome was it not?? She(Kelly Minter) has a new study coming out in April, and I hope we can talk Christine in doing it. Please keep up the good work, and do not worry if you get behind. I do…than play catch up. I am still not done with week 3.
Blessing to you.
I move around a lot so I was using one of those CD players you can go on walks with. I rarely use a desk top computer because I feel stuck in one place! My “computer” I do use is an iPad because I can use it on the patio, at the kitchen table while my husband cooks, or in bed! I have a new CD player ordered from Walmart (they run $10 these days) and will listen when it gets here. I just finished this week’s study. Wooo hooo!! It was very good. I liked the part about being ready to share your story when someone asks.
Concerning question #3: I look for qualities in a person that I don’t have. Everyone has something to offer!
I would love to do the new Kelly Minter study!
I loved the Ruth study this summer and would really be interested in another Kelly Minter study!
I’ve been searching Kelly Minters new book and found amazon pre-selling it. I was unable to determine if this is a Bible study. We’ll do the study…I just need to find it!
Christine,
The book is on Kelly Minters blog as coming out of April 11, 20011, if that helps any. That is how I find out about it. Thanks for checking.
Let me know when the book is coming out and we’ll study it together. I enjoyed the Ruth study too!
Christine,
April 2011, and it is called “Putting on the Fitting Room of God”, I think. Thanks, Christine.
I had a similar experience and I found that Beth Moore explained the Bible to a level I could relate to and understand. She walked me through the pages and connected the dots from one book to another. It became my Daily Bread because I started to understand it and apply scripture to my daily life. As a Bible Cafe leader, I try to alternate the authors and the length of the lessons.
I know it is too late to study with the group but I would like to do this study.
You can start now and each week when you finish your reading come to the Bible Cafe and post a comment for that week. Someone is always reading the comments and will reply.
God’s word substaines me, and comforts me. I could never live without it. The other day I noticed that when I read His Word I feel His Peace. After I feel like I just had a massage.
God fixes my big ol messes by giving me a second chance to make it right with people I ofend when I speak without thinking..
I like this visual image Joanna :-)It is relaxing to be in His presence…and stressful when we are not.
I certainly can remember making a mess of things and finally allowing God to fix it. I had come to the errant conclusion that my marriage was over. I left my husband and we divorced. I was miserable beyond belief. I kept thinking, “I thought things were supposed to be better now.” Finally it occurred to me that the problem was not with my marriage, but my unwillingness to follow God’s commands within that marriage. With trepidation, I wrote a letter to my ex and said if he still had feelings for me, I would dearly love to try again. I am happy to report we are celebrating our second anniversary soon.
Your story of reconciliation is beautiful, thank you for sharing it!
Hi Michele,
I heard a young mother with similar circumstances give her testimoy on her blog @ http://www.juanamikels.com It is always so wonderful when God renews a love within us. It affects not only us, but so many others. Thanks for sharing your story. Happy Anniversary!
1. He is always untangling my messes and always will be. The big ONE was putting me in jail overnight in the nineties. He needed me to see the light and come back to Him and stop sinning and running away from him. He needed to straighten me out all over again. Isn’t He an AWESOME GOD? It worked again but how many times will He forgive me?
2. By telling someone that they did a great job, complementing someone on something that they said or did, by saying a prayer for them and holding them up to the Lord.
3. By all my sins in my teen years. Being awful to my family and friends and not caring about anyone or anything. I just hope that they have accepted my apologies and know how sorry that I am now for the things that I did for them. Even the ones that are in Heaven with the Lord. I was just so stubborn back then. I was not listening to them or to God at that time. I still have a stubborn streak and God, and I still need to work on that part. Amen.
4. God’s Word strengthened me in the past by showing me His ways and having His Son Jesus Christ die on the Cross for my sins thus bringing me to the Lord. His Word strengthens me in the future by knowing that He is always there and caring for me in time of trouble.
Blessings to all. Have a wonderful holiday season. My prayers for each and every one on this blog.
Thank You for praying for us
He knew you from birth. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 NIV
1) I think God spent my entire teenage years untangling all of my messes….No matter how many bad decisions I made, everything always seemed to work out right. I always learned from my mistakes, at the time I didnt realize it was God intervening on my behalf but I can see it now.
3) I cant think of a specific time when I was stubborn and didnt listen to God, but I am sure that there have been many times. I am still learning how to live with God in my life and it is not easy. I am determined to keep on working on myself and know that God is helping me along the way.
4) Gods word has strengthend me in the past and will continue to strengthen me evem more in the future as I come to know him more. The bible that I have was a gift from my grandmother when I was 6 years old. I remember when she gave it to me and love that I have had it all these years. I love reading His word knowing that I am using it for what my grandmother intended me to use it for so many years ago. I only wish I had began to study it sooner, it is 21 years old!!!
I have really enjoyed this study and look forward to participating in more studies with this group.
I love the story of the Bible your Grandmother gave you! I gave my daughters a “Purple Princess Bible” with rhinestones. I suppose when they are older they’ll want a new version 😉
I can’t think of one specific time… but I have made so many messes. Mainly because of my attitude and disobedience, haughtiness and pride, but God has always dealt kindly with me, with love and graciousness.
My ideas for esteeming others centers around The Golden Rule. We all are in need of encouragement. Some ways we can esteem others include really listening when they are talking, and offering ourself, truly thinking about heir feelings, and looking for ways to serve others. This includes bragging on them when the opportunity arises.
Oh, yes… so many times I have gone my own way and tried to do my own thing. During these times, I have found myself saying, “If you had only listened…”
God has strengthened me through His Word, and by allowing me to feel His presence. I can further be strengthened in the future by reading my Bible, staying in His word, and actively seeking Him. Through prayer and an attitude of servitude, He can make my weaknesses strong, but I must first surrender all to Him… and I am trying!
I can’t believe we are almost finished with this Bible Study. I have enjoyed it!
It’s impossible to esteem others when we are filled with pride, which is why God hates pride so much. With pride in my heart, I esteem others because it makes me look or feel good. With God’s love in my heart, I esteem others because it brings Glory to God. It took me many years to get her,e and now that the Spirit has convicted me of this, I never want to let go of His amazing love inside my heart.
1. Can you think of a time when you submitted to God’s will and He untangled your mess? (page 182)
I had to submit and trust in God, when my husband’s ex-wife caused all kinds of trouble. In the end all worked out for the best thanks to God.
2. What are your ideas for esteeming others? (page 185)
Be quiet! Let them speak & I listen, not just with my ears but my heart! Help others by doing simple things, put their feelings first,
3. Have you ever had a stubborn period when you refused to listen to God? (page 189)
Not that I can recall, sense I ‘ve been a “real” Christian and have committed to a relationship with Him.
4. How has God’s Word strengthened you in the past, or how can it strengthen you in the future? (page 192)
Because God’s Word, IS and always will BE, it puts my troubles in perspective.
I missed the garden tool / take away in the questions, so I’m gonna add it, anyway being stuborn 🙂
My take-away, garden tool, I love the example of the daughter enduring pain, as her hair became untangled, demonstrating patience. Knowing the pain, short term will make a better outcome.
I love that… listen with your heart, not just your ears. I think we all need to practice that a little more! Thanks!
I love it too! It reminds us why God wants us to have a pure heart.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. Proverbs 22:11 NIV
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matt 5:8 NIV
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 NIV
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 NIV
Late by not forgotten!
Untangled- I am currently in tangled situation. My husband is a contractor and a client from a year ago is making some waves about the job. We have gone in and tried to handle the problem. They are going beyond and making things uncomfortable and making false accusations. God knows what is going on and that is all we can rest on.
Esteeming others- I work in a commission only job. I find that sometimes I get jealous when someone gets a nice order. I sometimes think that they were given that by management not by their hard work. I need to be supportive and be their cheerleader no matter how they got that sale.
Stubborn period- I don’t think I refuse to listen to him I think I just don’t listen. I feel sometimes I just don’t seek and look for HIS answers. I sometimes just assume the answer instead of waiting patiently for his.
Strength- God’s word has been my strength in my current situation. From my husband’s business to our financial situation, it all rests on God. I have no control over these circumstances.
What I love about this chapter is that we can all be Gentle Giants. We have the means with in us with God’s help to become peaceful people, less hating, share the word with all, and remember humility.