Faithfulness and Gentleness
This is the fourth class in the fourth series of classes of the Women’s Foundation series.
This series explores what it looks like when the Holy Spirit is working in your life to develop the character of Christ in you.
I. Welcome
II. Review
III. Faithfulness
A. The ____________________of Faithfulness –
Faithfulness means “that which is firm and can be counted on.” Some of the words that are closely related to faithfulness are dependable, reliable, trustworthy, and loyal. The word faithfulness often means absolute honesty and integrity. “The faithful person is one who is dependable, trustworthy, and loyal; who can be depended upon in all of his relationships; and who is absolutely honest and ethical in all of his affairs.”
Webster’s Dictionary defines faithfulness as “having or showing true or constant support or loyalty; deserving trust; keeping your promises or doing what you are supposed to do.”
Often the words “corrupt” and “negligent” are contrasted with “faithfulness.”
B. The Application of Faithfulness -
1. Absolute ____________________– Prov 12:22, Lev 19:11, Luke 16:10
2. Utter ____________________– Prov 10:26 Psalm 15:1-4
3. Unswerving ____________________– Prov 17:17, Prov 20:6, Prov 27:6, Eph 4:15
C. Ways we are dependent upon God’s faithfulness
· For our ____________________ (I Cor 1:8-9)
· For deliverance from temptation (I Cor 10:13)
· For ultimate sanctification (I Thess 5:23)
· For the ____________________of sins (I John 1:9)
· For deliverance through time of suffering (I Peter 4:19)
· For the fulfillment of our ultimate ____________________of eternal life (Heb 10:23)
D. Examples of God’s Faithfulness John 8:46
E. Examples of Faithfulness in Bible Characters
1. ____________________–
2. ____________________–
IV. Application Questions for Faithfulness content
V. Gentleness
A. ____________________of Gentleness –
George Bethune, famous theologian from the 1800’s said “Perhaps no grace is less prayed for, or less cultivated than gentleness. Indeed it is considered rather as belonging to natural disposition or external manners, than as a Christian virtue; and seldom do we reflect that not to be gentle is sin.”
Gentleness is an active trait where we seek to deal sensitively and mildly with others, especially considering their feelings and reactions to our actions. Gentleness is an attribution of power, not timidity or cowardliness.
. Gentle/meek [“PRAOS”] = accepting God’s dealings with us as good and therefore offering no resistance or disputing.
Gentleness/meekness recognizes that even evil is permitted and employed for the chastening and purifying of believers! We are not victims! REPEAT! Here are some verses for you to jot down: Genesis 50:20, Rom 8:28-29
B. Applications of Gentleness
1. Treating ____________________Gently Col 3:12, Gal 6:1-2, Matt 18:15-17, Heb 12:11-14
• ___________________________
• ___________________________
• Those who are ______________
• Those with whom we _________
2. The ________________:
Anger or fear rooted in pride.
C. Examples of Gentleness
1. ________
Isaiah 40
Verses on God’s Power:
Verse 10 Behold, the Lord [i]God will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him.
Verse 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, And are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; Behold, He lifts up the [n]islands like fine dust.
Verse 25-26 “To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars,
The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the [y]strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.
Verse on God’s gentleness:
Verse 11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
Psalm 18:35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness (condescension) makes me great.
2. ____________________– 2 Cor 10:1, Matt 11:28-30, Matt 12:20
3. ____________________– I Thess 2:7
4. Sermon on the Mount: ____________________________ – Matt 5:1-5
VI. Application Questions for Gentleness
VII. Questions
VII. Recommendations for Further Study
1. Help! I’m In A Conflict by Ernie Baker
2. Knowing God by J.I. Packer
3. Attributes of God by A.W. Pink
4. Stand by John Piper and Justin Taylor
5. Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman
6. The Biggest Story by Don Clark
7. Always True by James MacDonald
