A Patient Life

Posted by Karah

Pause

What things are causing you to be anxious? Instead of worrying about those things, lift them up to God.

Think about the words patient and impatient. What attitudes, feelings, or other words and phrases do you associate with each of those words? Write out your ideas.

Read Ephesians 4:1-5 in your Bible, then read over verse 2 again. Underline the words that should describe your way of life as a follower of Christ.

“Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us”. —Ephesians 4:1-2

According to this passage, why is it important for Christians to exhibit this kind of character? Explain.

Patience is a vital part of maintaining unity within the body of Christ, the church. Do you think that statement is true? Why? How have you seen it play out in your church?

Respond

• There are probably people all around you who try your patience. Think about the people in your life or church with whom you sometimes grow impatient. What are some specific ways you’ll choose to be patient with them this week? List two.

• Identify the triggers that cause you to be impatient, then outline specific actions you will take when tempted to respond impatiently.

• For further study, read Galatians 5:22-23 and to learn more about what walking with Christ looks like.

Behind the Story

The Book of Ephesians is a letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus to strengthen and encourage them. One of his key themes in the letter is the church. Chapter 4 stresses that unity should characterize the Body of Christ. That means that believers should have commitment, concern, and harmony with one another because of their common bond in Christ. How do you see this in your relationships with other Christians?

The Point

Because God is patient, you can be patient with others, especially within the body of Christ. Patience is vital to building unity in the church.

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Weekly Devotions