Gentle and Lowly: Session 6 (Spring 2022)

Session 6 – Small Group Study Guide

Gentle and Lowly Chapters 10-11

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Study Questions

1. When we think of God, we are often captivated by His holiness and His glory. And while it is true that His glory does indeed draw “us in and causes us to conquer our sins and make us radiant people” (97), it is only because we have been touched by the beauty and loveliness of His heart. Read and meditate over the following passages. What does each passage say about the heart of God? How should we respond?

• • Psalm 63:1-3
  • Lamentations 3:31-33
  • Micah 7:18-20
  • Matthew 23:37
  • Romans 2:2-4

2. When it comes to seeing God’s goodness and not His greatness as our deepest need (97), one danger is that we can easily twist Christ’s heart and love for us and make it more about us than it is about Him. But this danger is not inherent in the truth itself or in God, but it is due to the sinfulness of our own heart. Have you been tempted to do that in your own life? What are certain truths or ideas that help you to personally guard against using Christ’s heart and love for us to tell a man-centered story of redemption and instead focus on God’s glory?
3. When it comes to the glory of Christ, we might be tempted to “keep our distance.” But how does the heart of Christ, one that is “conjoined with the sweetest grace, one that clothes himself with mildness and meekness and love” (98) encourage us to draw near to Him in intimacy and how does that encourage you? How can you practically draw near to Him in intimacy?
4. In chapter 11, Ortlund helps us to see that the importance of sound doctrine is to preserve the beauty of Jesus. He encourages us to consider how we might make the heart of Jesus beautiful and exceedingly attractive to children. But in general, we should do this with all. So consider either someone in your life who is unsaved, or suffering, or discouraged by their sin – How might you present Jesus as beautiful to that one person in their unique situation?
5. Luke 6:45 reminds us that “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” So our emotions are always an overflow of our worship, what we treasure, or what we trust in. Practically this means that when Christ is not in His proper place, we can either “sinfully overreact” and also “sinfully underreact” (107):
   • Consider the area of compassion in your life. In what ways do you find yourself “sinfully underreacting” (or if possible, “sinfully overreacting?”) Why? How can you further pursue Jesus so that your compassion is more reflective of a heart that loves Him and responds like Christ?
   • Consider the area of anger in your life. In what ways do you find yourself “sinfully underreacting” or “sinfully overreacting?” Why? How can you further pursue Jesus so that your anger is more reflective of a heart that loves Him and responds like Christ?
6. We tend to think that our emotions are a private affair. But one way that we can make Christ known is through our emotions. Think about the things that move you the most – whether it’s to compassion, anger, or something else – what do you think those emotions say to those around you? Start with your inner circle such as family; then consider your coworkers; and then strangers in public.

Sharing and Prayer

1. What is one thing from this study that has impacted your understanding of Jesus? How might this add a dimension to how you relate to Him?
2. Share other prayer requests: