With all the discipline and behavior issues we’ve had lately, this Fruit of the Spirit really stuck out to me this week: GENTLENESS. I need it. She needs it. Our household needs it.
SCRIPTURE
The first verse that comes to mind (and was our “A” verse) is Proverbs 15: 1, “A gentle answer turns anger away.” Today would have been a perfect time for Lydia to test this verse out as I was pretty angry with her behavior most of the day. Alas, it’s me who had to practice this verse so I could set the gentle example. (Not sure if I did it…)
As I looked through the verses about gentleness, it was encouraging because most of them were referring to Jesus. Or encouraging us to be gentle like Him. Isn’t it lovely to think about Jesus as gentle? Sometimes its easy to fall into that Zeus-like god image where Jesus/God is sitting there impatient, disappointed and ready to knock our heads together. I love thinking about Jesus as the gentle Good Shepherd instead. What a model to emulate!
The verse I ended up choosing is found in 1 Peter 3:3-4. It is the perfect verse for my girly girl:
Braiding your hair doesn’t make you beautiful. Wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes doesn’t make you beautiful. Instead, your beauty comes from inside you. It is the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Beauty like that doesn’t fade away. God places great value on it.
Lydia was amazed that braids are in the Bible. And gold jewelry! She had it 90% memorized after reading it three times. I kid you not. Every time she learns a new verse I feel bad for not teaching her more—she’s a sponge!
ACTIVITY
I chose grapes to represent gentleness. Basically because a lime and grapes is all that’s left from our scratch-n-sniff fruit basket. So, we made the coolest grape craft after dinner tonight. I found it at Danielle’s Place (a great site–especially if you teach kids at church!)
All you need is a funnel, flour, one balloon and a little scrap of green craft foam. Use the funnel to fill the balloon. Then tie. Add a little leaf to the top (cut or punch a hole and pull the knot through). Now you’ve got your own fruity stressball! Isn’t it cute?
We talked about how soft and nice it was to squeeze her new “Gentle Grape”. She loves it and decided she is going to carry it “EVERYWHERE WE GO TOMORROW!” I hope she carries some gentleness, too. My heart AND hers are in need of some gentleness.
The Lord has been impressing gentlenss upon my heart as well, through Psalm 18:35. King David is recounting that the gentleness of the Lord hath made him great. Wow, who doesn’t want their children, husband, mother, friend to be great? One of the ways greatness is obtained is through the gentleness of others. Still a daily challenge with my kids..
I love it. Juliet was begging to use the funnel today, but I didn’t have any ideas of what to do with it. This is perfect.
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How neat! I want to make one!
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We are just starting up our own messy church and one of our themes is “I am the true vine” this will make a fantastic craft and teaching tool or both adults and children alike. Fantastic idea x
I love all of your fruit of the spirit posts. I’m doing a half-day camp at my church next week and picked fruit of the spirit for our theme. The kids are going to love all your ideas 🙂
My English not good can I get this in Arabic please .. Thanks