Patience

What is Patience?

Patience is the ability to wait on God. We can trust that God is working for our best and His glory in His perfect timing. Patience with others grows as we are reminded that God is patient with us.

1. What are you having trouble waiting for God to do?
2. Lack of patience usually exhibits itself in anger. Read James 1:19-20. How does being quick to listen and slow to speak exhibit God’s righteousness and patience?
3. Read Proverbs 14:29. In what areas do you need to work on patience, with God’s help and other’s encouragement? Share this with someone else.

Best Use

A date night conversation to discuss depending on God to develop more patience

Advance Prep

A printed or online dictionary, Bible, pen, and two index cards

Step One

Look up the definition of patience together. What meaning sticks out most to each of you?

Step Two

Write “Patience” at the top of your index cards. Each share several ways God is patient with you and write them on your individual index cards.

Step Three

Read Proverbs 14:29. Each share one recent incident when you observed your spouse being patient. Now each share one recent incident in which you know you acted impulsively or quick-tempered.

Step Four

Brainstorm some “patience-stretching activities” you could use this week to practice intentional patience. Pick from the list below or come up with your own. Now, add those to the reverse side of your index card.

• Get in the longest checkout line at the store.
• Park in one of the furthest spots from the entry door.
• When approaching a stoplight get in the lane with the most vehicles.
• While driving, stay at or just below the speed limit.
• Sit in silence for five minutes each day.

TIP: Don’t purposefully cause your spouse to wait on you and say that you were helping them develop patience!

Step Five

Decide where each of you will keep your index card for the coming week to help remind you of God’s patience and His desire to grow this fruit in your life.

Best Use

A family time activity to learn about patience

Advance Prep

A Bible, ingredients, and the recipe to bake a special treat such as cookies or brownies

Step One

Work together to mix all the ingredients to bake. Put the mix in the oven and then sit on the floor near the oven to watch and wait.

Step Two

As you wait, read Isaiah 40:31 together (King James Version if possible). Talk about the meaning of patience – to be content while waiting for God’s timing. Try to come up with a list of characters in the Bible who needed to wait for God’s timing (e.g. Waited well = Joseph in prison, Jacob waiting for his wife, Abraham, Prodigal son’s father. Not so well = The children of Israel waiting in wilderness, prodigal son).

Step Three

If you have the time, go ahead and read a few of the character’s stories together in the Bible. Discuss if the character(s) “waited well” for God’s timing? Were they patient? Did they complain and grumble while waiting or did they choose to trust God and be content?

Step Four

Once your yummy treats are finished baking and are ready to eat, spend some time talking about ways your family can “wait well” and areas in which each of you may need to practice the art of patience.

Pray

Thank God that He is faithful and we can trust His plans. Pray that He will give each of you the grace needed to grow the fruit of patience.

Best Use

An activity with older children/teens used to discover and understand patience from a Biblical perspective

Advance Prep

A Bible or device that has a Bible, index cards, and something to write with

Step One

Talk about a time each of you were impatient over the last few days. What were the circumstances? What happened as a result of your impatience? How could things have gone differently if you would have shown patience instead?

Step Two

Read James 5:7-11 and Galatians 6:9. What do these passages teach us about patience? What do we know about a farmer and his crops? How does this apply to the situations in which we become impatient?

Step Three

Discuss situations where you struggle the most with patience like in your car, at school, on your team, or with a family member or friend.

Step Four

Each person take an index card and write out Ephesians 4:2. Then put the card in a place where you might need the reminder to practice patience the most (e.g. car, school locker or binder, etc.). Let this verse remind you to be patient with others and in every circumstance as God is patient with you.