Discussion questions:

• 1 Peter 5:5 indicates that God’s humility (which is most clearly demonstrated in Christ) stands in opposition to, haughty, prideful behavior. Yet we trust that God loves even the most prideful man and gently calls him toward humility. Where do you catch yourself being prideful?
• What would it look like for you to lay down that pride?
• What does it mean to clothe yourself in humility toward one another?
• What has worked in the past to soften your heart after realizing you’ve behaved pridefully?

Discussion questions:

• What kinds of things do you think God desires for you?
• What steps can you take to find hope in God’s good plan?
• What good expectations or positive outcomes can you hope for right now?How can having hope help to improve a situation you might currently be in?
• MOG Challenge: Think about scripture verses that talk about God’s good promises. Think about the qualities of God who is love. Think about what God desires for all people and for you. As an exercise in hope, take a few minutes to write reassuring statements in God’s voice to yourself. Write as many as you can! Some examples might be “I promise I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “I will always love you.” “I will never harm you.” “I am your strength and your shield.” How many phrases can you come up with?

Today’s MOG virtue is compassion. It means to be thoughtful of others and to feel for them. In John 8: 1-11, a woman is brought before Jesus. Some of the people want her to be stoned for adultery, but Jesus says, “Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone.” No one throws a stone, and Jesus forgives the woman, telling her not to sin anymore. He knew she had messed up, but he showed that he understood her and cared about her. She didn’t need to be stoned; she needed compassion. The people didn’t need to stone her; they needed to show compassion.

In the spring of my senior year in high school, I was going through a stressful time. I hadn’t heard back from most of the colleges, but I was watching all my friends get accepted to the schools they wanted to go to. So, I started distancing myself from them, and I got kind of snippy. One day, a buddy of mine asked, “How are you?”

I said, “I’m fine.”

Then he said, “No really, how are you? Cause you’ve been acting a little off recently and I want to make sure you’re alright.”

I realized I’d been taking out my anxieties on people I cared about, so we talked about it. He didn’t have to be so understanding, but it’s what I needed. Imagine if he had carelessly said, “Hey you’ve been acting like a jerk.” He might have been right, but it wouldn’t have helped.

Our society pressures men to be independent. Men aren’t supposed to need anyone, and if we see something wrong with someone else, we’re supposed to call them out with tough love because feelings are for the weak. But that attitude isn’t how healthy relationships are built. Instead, we should check in with each other and be honest without getting angry or defensive. Compassion doesn’t blame or shame people.

In Galatians 6:1-2, Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

We all make mistakes. And God calls us to restore each other gently, to carry each other’s burdens. We show each other compassion. We listen to each other. This is the way God’s Spirit calls us to act.

Discussion questions:

• Have you ever seen someone behave with compassion? What stories can you think of?
• Think of someone who often causes you frustration. In what ways could you seek to understand them more or care for them better?
• What are the challenges you face when receiving or giving criticism? How might having compassion change the way you talk to someone when you have an issue with them?

Challenge: If you can, in your mind, name one person you’ve had a problem with recently and to whom you have not shown compassion. Say a prayer for them. Ask God to guide you in understanding them better. Before confronting them with criticism, consider letting them know how much you care about them — write a letter, a text, give them a compliment.

Discussion questions:

• When do you think Jesus showed gentleness the most?
• Sometimes people aren’t gentle with us, yet Jesus showed us that it is still possible to be gentle with those who hurt us. How did you respond the last time someone hurt you?
• How can being gentle make a family stronger?
• What annoys you the most and how can you respond with gentleness?

Discussion questions:

• How often do you make time to rest in God’s presence and “just be” outside?
• Is there a way you could build this into your weekly rhythm?
• What did you see, hear, smell, feel when you spent your time outside?
• What metaphors or deep truths about God, faith or life might be revealed in the things you saw in the natural world?
• Ps. 19 says that the heavens and skies are speaking to us about God’s qualities. Surely the rest of his creation speaks as well. What might God be saying to you through creation this week?