I will be the first to admit that gentleness is not my strong suit. I tend to be more like a bull in a china shop (if that were the opposite of gentleness). However, this is one of the greatest areas of improvement we can all work on for the sake of the students. We need only to cast our eyes upon Jesus and see His gentle touch on the unlovables. What a Mighty God we serve!
Each day during this season of Lent, I will post one verse and pray it with you. Consider saying the verse in your quiet time and praying it also. You may use the same prayer or try your own. Each day until Easter (except Sundays) there will be a new post that contains: a verse, a small reflection, a prayer using the Scripture and an image. Feel free to share the images because I made them with the Bible Lens app and took all the pictures. What a creative God we serve!
Day 24
Galatians 6:1 English Standard Version (ESV)
Bear One Another's Burdens
6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
I wrote an blog entry on gentleness in the classroom a few years ago. This is an excerpt from it:
What might a gentle classroom look like? One of the synonyms for gentle is placid. As a lake without ripples, waves or turbulence, a gentle classroom will have a sense of calm. As the gentle leader, our students will respond to “events” in our classrooms as we do. Ask any substitute teacher about classroom personalities. If the teacher is loud, the class is often loud. If the teacher is calm and soft spoken, the class, in general, takes on those qualities. It’s a great experiment to test this theory. Speak in your normal tone while giving instructions or lecture and then mix it up with a very soft voice. Our students will immediately notice the difference, perhaps strain to listen, and if given the opportunity to respond, they will answer in a quiet tone. Our classrooms environments are set by our standards, our mannerisms and our display of the Fruit of the Spirit. Let’s be purposeful in being gentle to these precious children we will inevitably be making an impact upon. Let’s strive to be gentler in order to give our students a calm, orderly, and safe place to learning.
The greatest teacher who ever lived, Jesus, was described as gentle shepherd. What a compliment if we could be like Him! These four verses are my favorite reference to gentle in the Word. May you and your students be blessed with a gentle classroom this year.
Proverbs 15:1
- A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Matthew 11:29
- Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Philippians 4:5
- Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
1 Peter 3:15
-But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Dear Lord,
Help us to have mercy with gentleness on our brothers and sisters in the public schools when they fail. You are the Ultimate Encourager and You are always so gentle. Help us not to judge, but to gently restore them in their trouble. Who of us has not failed? Help us to see the plank in our own eye before we look at the speck in their eyes. Oh Lord, give us eyes to see when we can be helpful and the wisdom to know when to intercede on their behalf. Thank You Lord for Your gentle mercies each day. We ask this in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayerfully yours,
K
Karen C. Seddon
CEAI - Christian Educators Assoc. Int.
State Director for Florida
407.892.5651
....an unqualified recipient of His unconditional love
2 Timothy 3:16 -17- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
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