October 12, 2009 Patience in Relationships

Life Journey Ministries

Small Group Bible Study & Prayer Support

 

I.  Bible Passage(s)

Galatians 5:23 …the fruit of the Spirit is…patience

 

God is love…  Love is patient…  God is patient….

 

John Short writes in his exposition of 1 Corinthians 13:4, “One of the great notes struck by the prophets…is that God’s love never relinquishes those who are His own.  Over the entire history of Israel from the pilgrimage of Abraham to the crucifixion of Christ could be written the legend, Love is patient.”

 

Jesus is God… Jesus is love… Jesus is patient…

 

Jesus took the very nature of God.  Those of us who bear His name take on His characteristics in faith, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God.

 

II. Discussion

1.  How patient was Jesus with His disciples? With the young rich man (Mark 10:17-31)? With the sick and the poor (Matthew 8:2-4, 14-16)? With the work He was called to do? With Pilate? With those who crucified him (Luke 23:34)? With you?

 

2.  Patience is a parent’s love for a strong willed child, a son on drugs, a daughter who does not want help, a   (fill in the blank) _____.

 

3.  How do you know that God’s is at work in transforming patience in you? Your relationships with others? Your relationship to your work?

 

III. Connection

1.  Share the high points and low points of your week. Why do you see these as highs and lows? How are they impacting your life right now?

2.  This week I want to thank God for...

3.  This week God is leading me to confess or grow in...

 

IV. Prayer & Praise

The prayer of the cross can be a helpful guide for prayer and praise. Simply picture a cross in your mind. Label the top of the cross “Praise and Adoration of God.” Label the base of the cross “Requests.” On the cross bar, label the left side “Confession;” and the right side “Thanks.” These four categories help us keep our prayers well rounded.

Many people make the sign of the cross when they pray. You might like to practice this prayer while making the sign of the cross. Touch your forehead and pray your praises and adoration of God. Touch your chest and pray any requests you may have. Touch your left shoulder and make any confessions the Spirit brings to mind. Touch your right shoulder and pray your thanks.