- Describe the most patient person you know. What do you feel makes them so? Have they always been a patient person or is this something you have seen grow in them? Would you describe yourself as someone who is patient? Why or why not? If not, what do you feel is preventing you from being patient?
- In what situations do you find yourself struggling the most with patience? What does this reveal about your growing edges? How can you reframe these situations to see them as opportunities to develop in Christ-likeness?
- The fruit “patience” in Galatians 5:22-23 is translated from the Greek in three different ways in the NIV, NLT, and NKJV. Compare and contrast the words used. What conclusions do you come to about the intended ‘type’ of patience based on this?
- Why is patience with circumstances generally easier than patience with people?
- Exodus 34:6, Nehemiah 9:17, and Psalm 103:8-10 (to list only a few) describe God as being “slow to anger.” Describe the ways in which you have experienced God’s patience in your own life.
- Read Proverbs 14:29. What are some of the repercussions of our lack of patience?
- Look carefully at Colossians 3:12-13 and Ephesians 4:1-2. In both cases, what phrase do you find which indicates the need for patience with one another? Why do you think it is used?
- If the “fruit of the Spirit grows best in the garden of obedience”, what does this look like for you this week?
- What do you sense God has been saying to you through this study? What are you going to do about it?
