This document discusses the fruit of patience from the spirit. It describes God as patient, slow to anger, and compassionate. It provides examples of God's patience from the Old Testament. The document also discusses how humans should develop patience through enduring trials, with God's help, and lists Bible verses about patience and endurance. It notes that patience involves forbearance and perseverance. Finally, it suggests ways to cultivate patience through considering trials a joy and allowing them to mature one's faith.

1. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ISPATIEENCLesson 5

2. “GOD OF PATIENCE”Romans, 15: 5Hischaracter: God is “slow to anger” (Exodus, 34: 6). He is forbearing, calm, kind and persevering under all circumstances.Hisexample in Nineveh: “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity” (Jonah, 4: 2)Treatingthesinners: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance… our Lord's patience means salvation”(2 Peter, 3: 9, 15)

3. LIMITS OF GOD’SPATIENCEGod knows every heart and waits patiently until man regrets following his evil will. He ends His patience and destroys the sinner only when there is no chance of regretting.

4. HUMANPATIENCEWe must show this kind of patience in our character:Makrothumía. Forbearance, calm response;opposite to: impatient or easy frustration.“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and makrothumía” (Colossians, 3: 12)“Youtoo, havemakrothumía, and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near” (James, 5: 8)“But the fruit of the Spirit is… makrothumía” (Galatians, 5: 22)

5. HUMANPATIENCEWe must show this kind of patience in our character, too:Hupomoné. Resistance, perseverance, integrity.“Add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, hupomoné; tohupomoné, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love” (2 Peter, 1: 5-7)“For you have need of hupomoné, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise” (Hebrews, 10: 36)“Byyourhupomonépossessyoursouls” (Luke, 21: 19)“Hereisthehupomonéof the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation, 14: 12)

6. PATIENCE …“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone”(1 Thessalonians, 5: 14)“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction”(2 Timothy, 4: 2 NIV)“Be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians, 4, 2)“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” (James, 5: 10)

7. LIMITS OF HUMANPATIENCEWe should follow God’s example; are we willing to being patient for 120, 130 or 400 years?Our patience can run out legitimately only in very special circumstances.When that happens, we must use the other fruits of the Spirit.

8. HOWTODEVELOPPATIENCE“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Patience must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”(James, 1: 2-4)

9. HOWTODEVELOPPATIENCEThose trials can be a result of various circumstances:Because the devil tempt us to do evil.Because God permits them to develop our character.Because our disobedience leads to them.Because we live in a sinful world.Every trial will help us with improving our Christian character, by God’s grace.Patience is a gift from God, and He develops it in our lives.

10. “Christ gave His disciples a most important lesson in regard to who should be His disciples … “He who seeks to serve others by self-denial and self-sacrifice will be given the attributes of character that commend themselves to God, and develop wisdom, true patience, forbearance, kindness, compassion. This gives him the chiefest place in the kingdom of God".”E.G.W. (This day with God, December 13)

11. ADAPT it!Teaching ApproachEffective for SMALL GROUPSASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?We invite you to download and study each one of the 13 lessons about the Fruits of the Holy SpiritSlideshare.net/chucho1943