Gentle and Lowly: Session 9 (Spring 2022)

Session 9 – Small Group Study Guide

Gentle and Lowly Chapters 16-17

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Study Questions

1. Before reading chapter 16, how would you have described “the glory of God?” What images, ideas, or thoughts come most readily come to your mind and how has this chapter corrected, given insight, or nuanced your understanding of it?
2. Read Exodus 34:6-7:

   6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

   Take time to pause on each idea listed below, and slowly meditate on it (see pp. 148-151). Using your own words, how might you describe each idea in a way that is personal to you, and what does this mean for your unique struggle or sin?

   a. “Merciful and gracious…”
   b. “Slow to anger…”
   c. “Abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”
   d. “Keeping steadfast love for thousands…”
   e. “Visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation” (see pp. 150-51 in particular).

3. Our lives are meant to be witnesses of His glory. Consider the people in your life that you are invested in: Children, disciples, small group members, unbelieving co-workers, parents, friends, etc. What impression of God do you tend to give them? What are some specific ways that you can more accurately, beautifully, and compellingly display the glory of God according to chapter 16?
4. Praise God that His “thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways [His] ways” (Isaiah 55:6-9)! That is good news! Knowing the sinful even legalistic tendencies of our heart (157), why is it so encouraging that God is truly not like us?
5. Think of the most intense love that you’ve ever felt for someone, or perhaps the greatest act of love expressed to you. Even then, it barely scratches the surface of the depth of God’s love and compassion toward you (160). Take some time to meditate upon that and let God’s love encourage you. Can you write out a prayer of praise in response?
6. Is there a passage or story from the Bible that surprises you the most about God’s love/kindness/compassion/mercy? Take time to read over that passage and spend time reflecting on it.

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: