Bible Study: Gentleness

Bible Study Passage:  John 8:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:22-26, 1 Timothy 6:11-12.  Gentleness is a fruit of the spirit, and this week we’re digging a little deeper, by recalling a story of Jesus.  When confronted with another typical ‘catch 22’ situation by the Pharisees, Jesus dealt with the situation in a rather unusual way.  Seldom does he do the same thing twice, but in this particular passage (John 8:1-11), he is gentle with his accusers, and with the accused.  Here’s the excerpt of John 8:1-11:

but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the groupand said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.Now what do you say?”They were using this question as a trap,in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stoneat her.”Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,”Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Here are the other excerpts we’re to look at in the passage.  2 Timothy 2:22-26

22 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. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

And lastly, 1 Timothy 6:11-12:

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Questions

  1. 2 Timothy 2:22-26.  How can gentleness make a difference?
  2. John 8:1-11.  How did Jesus handle the Pharisees?
  3. (Same passage).  How did Jesus handle the woman?
  4. Bonus Round: 1 Timothy 6:11-12:  The bible talks of gentleness then, immediately after, fighting the good fight.  Comment on why this might be?