P A T I E N C E

(Gk. “makrothumeo” and “makrothumis”) – means long-suffering, long-tempered, constancy, or endurance. It is patience in regard to people.

1 Thes. 5:14 Whom should we be patient with?

Are you patient (not easily yielding to anger and retaliation in the face of provocation or irritation) with all kinds of Christians (members of your family, friends of yours, fellow employees or employer at work, classmates, roommates, etc.) when they try to or annoy you? Why?

If you’re not a patient person, how can you be (see Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:22; 1 Jn. 5:14, 15; Col. 3:12; Phil. 2:12)?

Heb. 6:10-12 Whom were these Christians to be imitators of (vs. 12)?

Would you consider yourself a Christian whose life is characterized by faith and patience? Why?

Jas. 5:7-9 How long are these (financially poor) Christians to be patient (vs. 7)?

How long is that?

What command is stated at the beginning of verse 8 regarding the things they couldn’t control (like the rain in vs. 7), such as oppression and injustice done to them by the rich?

Why were they to do so?

It has been nearly 2,000 years since that was written and Christ still hasn’t returned. Why does God view the Lord Jesus’ return as near/at hand, even though it’s been almost 2,000 years already (2 Pet. 3:8)?

What sufferings (vss. 4, 6) were these Christians going through?

Would you have been patient if you weren’t being paid for your labors/work?

Or, would you have been patient if you were about to be put to death, even though you were a righteous person?

Why?

Why else does God want these Christians to be patient and not complain about each other due to the oppression and injustice they were experiencing (vs. 9)?

Jas. 5:10 Who are an example to us of suffering and patience (2 Chron. 36:16)?

Is Micaiah a prophet who suffered and was patient (1 Kings 22:14, 24-28)?

Is Nehemiah an example of suffering and patience (Neh. 2:19, 20; 4:7-14; 6:1-9)?

Is King David an example of suffering and patience (2 Sam. 16:5-14)?

How do you respond to suffering because of your speaking in the name of the Lord?

Why (see also Rom. 12:17, 19; Matt. 5:11, 12; Acts 26:1)?

(Gk. “hupomone”) – is an abiding under or endurance. It is the calm and unruffled temper with which the person bears the evils of life, especially proceeding from circumstances or things. It manifests itself in a sweet submission to the providential appointments of God, and fortitude in the presence of the duties and conflicts of life.

Jas. 5:11 How does James count/consider those who endured?

What was Job an example of?

How did God reward Job’s endurance/patience (Job 42:10)?

What happened to Job, his possessions, and family (Job 1:13-19; 2:7)?

What was Job’s response (Job 1:20-22; 2:8-10)?

Would you have been patient like Job? Why?

1 Pet. 2:18-20 Servants who are submissive to masters that inflict unjust suffering upon them find favor with God since these submissive servants are prompted by a conscious awareness of God’s presence and will. Therefore, these servants do what?

Would you bear up under sorrows if you were suffering unjustly? Why?

1 Cor. 13:4 Being patient is part of what quality?

Are you always patient with those whom you say that you love (i.e., God, friends, family, fellow Christians, etc.)?

If not, why?

How could you be (Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:22; 1 Jn. 5:14, 15; Col. 3:12)?

Eph. 4:1, 2 How does a Christian walk (live) in a manner worthy of his being called/chosen by God for salvation?

If you are not a patient Christian, what do you plan to do about it, and when?

Or, will you make excuses, like: “That’s just the way I am, I can’t help it!”, “I’m only human, what do you expect!”, “I’m just like my parents, I picked it up from them!”?

Col. 1:9-12 In Paul’s prayer for these Colossian believers, for what purpose does he specifically pray for them to be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might (vs. 11)?

Are you praying for Christians whom you know to attain to all steadfastness and patience?

If so, how often, and why?

2 Tim. 3:10, 11 What had Timothy followed Paul in?

Do you have any role-models (godly people) to follow or imitate in this area of patience?

And are you a good example of patience to other people? If not, what do you plan to do about it?

Rom. 12:12 What are Christians to persevere/be patient in?

How did you react/respond to the last trying situation that you had, and why?

(Gk. “anexikakos”) – holding up under evil.

2 Tim. 2:24, 25 Who should be patient when wronged?

Knowing that this is one of the qualifications for the Lord’s bond-servant, would you qualify?

How do you know?

Would other Christians agree with you? How do you know?

**What have you gained as a result of doing this study?

**What changes will you be making in your life right away, and why?

(Heb. “qavah”) – means to wait, expect.

Psa. 40:1-3 How did the Psalmist David wait for the Lord?

Do you wait patiently for the Lord to answer your prayers? How, and why?