Fruit of the Spirit Monthly Scripture Focus: Patience
As part of our monthly character lessons, we are going through the fruits of the spirit one by one. This month’s character lesson focus is patience.
Follow along with us as you invite and encourage your teens to allow God’s spirit to develop their character. The content of this monthly study is geared for middle and high school students, but feel free to adapt if you wish for younger students. Included are a variety of suggestions to use throughout the month to maintain a focus on cultivating patience.
At the end of this article, you’ll find the complete list of monthly character lessons based on fruits of the spirit, and will be able to click directly through to any additional lessons you wish to access.
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Fruit of the Spirit Passage
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Patience in the Bible
Question: How many times does the word patience or patient appear in the Bible?
Answer: 41 times in the ESV**
**statistics from logos.com. Each translation will have a slightly different count.
Big Picture: How the Bible Talks about Patience
1 // Patience brings peace
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)
2 // Patient waiting is part of God’s plan
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
3 // Being patient is not inactive
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 24:14 (NIV)
What Does the Bible Say about Patience?
Look at the following scriptures and ask these two questions.
Question #1: What do I learn about God and how He views patience from this scripture?
Question #2: Is there any instruction for me in this scripture about how I should live patiently?
Scriptures about Patience
The Bible describes God as being patient with us in many places. The famous passage in Exodus 34:6-7 where God proclaims his character to Moses says this: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” The word patient isn’t used here, but “slow to anger” certainly implies patience with the people who provoke that anger.
Read the scriptures below that reference patience or being patient and consider the questions asked above.
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14:29 (NIV)
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV)
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:25 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Examples of Patience in Scripture
Look up one or more of the following passages to read a story displaying patience in some way. Ask yourself these two questions.
- How do I see patience in action here?
- What does God want to teach me about patience from this passage?
Passage #1
1 Samuel 1-2 (Hannah)
We’re not told how many years Hannah hoped for a baby, but the passage does tell us it went on “year after year.” And yet Hannah continued to go to the tabernacle and continued to bring her request to the Lord.
We’re not promised a “yes” to our requests, even after years of patient waiting, but Hannah’s response to God’s “yes” is to open her hands and offer back everything He gives. Hannah’s prayer in chapter 2 reveals her absolute trust in God’s sovereignty and wisdom.
Passage #2
Genesis 39-41 (Joseph)
The story of Joseph being unjustly accused and imprisoned shows a man who has learned patient waiting while trusting in the Lord. Prior to being tossed in prison, Joseph had been powerful in Potiphar’s household. Imagine going from a position of authority, your commands immediately obeyed, to imprisonment, with no knowledge of even how long you’ll be imprisoned.
In his patient waiting, Joseph continues to serve his God with integrity. He takes advantage of the opportunity to have someone put in a good word for him, but it is two more years before that request is remembered.
It’s easy when reading a story to get caught up in the drama and action, but if you put yourself in his shoes and take a moment to reflect on what his life was really like, you can understand how difficult it would have been to be patient with God in those circumstances. It’s clear, though, that Joseph did not lose faith. In chapter 41, verse 52, Joseph names his sons in a way that reveals his appreciation for God’s faithfulness through the hard times.
Passage #3
1 Samuel 16 (David)
In 1 Samuel 16, David is anointed by Samuel as the next king. Likely he was an adolescent at this time. From Chapter 16 through the end of 1 Samuel, David encounters roadblocks and obstacles, up to and including attacks on his life. It is not until 2 Samuel 2 that we read about David becoming king of Judah after Saul’s death. This is almost 15 years after he was anointed by Samuel!
Although given multiple opportunities to take matters into his own hands and kill King Saul, David shows patience in waiting on the Lord’s timing.
Examples in Scripture of a Heart Lacking in Patience
Now, look up one or more of the following passages and think about these questions.
- Describe the lack of patience in this story.
- What can we learn from the impatience we read about in these passages?
Genesis 16:1-6 (Sarai)
Abraham’s wife, Sarai, has no children and impatiently takes matters into her own hands by suggesting Abraham have a child with her servant, Hagar. As you would expect, this sinful behavior leads to unhappy consequences. Hagar treats Sarai with contempt and Sarai responds by mistreating Hagar. Proverbs 10:16 in the Good News Translation reads, “…sin only leads to more sin.”
Genesis 25:19-23 and Genesis 27 (Jacob)
Jacob was the second-born twin described in Chapter 25. The Lord told his mother that he would rule over his older brother. In that culture, the oldest male would receive a greater inheritance and blessing. In Chapter 27 we see Isaac, Jacob’s father, nearing death. He asks the older brother, Esau, to prepare a meal in expectation of receiving his blessing.
Impatient Jacob (and his impatient mother) devise a scheme to help God out and make sure that Jacob receives the blessing he believes is his due. His impatience with God’s timing arouses intense hatred from Esau and a whole chain of events is begun. Again, sin only leads to more sin. Impatience is no small thing in God’s eyes.
Exodus 32:1-8 (Israelites & the golden calf)
While Moses is on Mt. Sinai listening to God, the Israelites quickly forget the one true God and impatiently demand something to worship in His place. Aaron complies and makes a golden calf for them to worship.
To us in modern times, it seems silly. We would never worship a decorative item made of wood or metal. But consider this—what do you turn to when God isn’t doing what you want Him to do?
The Israelites had just been delivered from slavery, rescued from the troops pursuing them, and miraculously provided with food. Instead of reminding one another of the powerful and trustworthy God they served, they began to look for ways to take control of the situation on their own.
That starts to sound a little familiar, right? We love to be in control. Lamentations 3:25 says: “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” When we become impatient with our circumstances, our first response should be to seek the Lord earnestly. We can do that through prayer and by reading His words to us in scripture.
Reflection Questions
Now that you’ve read several Bible verses about patience, seen examples of patience in action and examples of impatience, reflect on the following two questions.
- Would others describe me as a patient person?
- How can I express this fruit of the spirit—patience—in a practical way in my life this month?
Audio/Video Content Related to Patience
Fruit of the Spirit: Patience (YouTube – 412teens.org)
Slow to Anger (Bible Project)
Patience with Colleen McFadden on the Journeywomen Podcast
Music Related to Patient Waiting on the Lord
Add some of these to your regular music playlist this month. Listen while you study, clean your room, or take a walk.
Be Still My Soul (YouTube – Reawaken Hymns)
I Will Wait for You – Psalm 130 (YouTube – Shane and Shane)
Wonder in the Waiting (YouTube – music meets heaven)
While I Wait (YouTube – Lincoln Brewster)
Psalm 37 (YouTube – Psalms Project)
Prayer Related to Patience
Your relationship with God is deepened by not only listening to His word, but communicating back to Him through prayer.
Following are prayers you can personalize and pray from your heart. Your words don’t have to be fancy. Simply thank God for His provision and ask Him to give you the willingness to wait patiently on Him.
Heavenly Father, remind me to take time to be still before You when I feel anxious. Help me to wait patiently for your clear guidance in my life. Lift my eyes to you and keep me from worrying about what others are doing around me, knowing that You are in control of everything.
(based on Psalm 37:7)
Lord, thank you for Your patient nature. Help me to remember Your gracious nature when I am impatient with someone, and to always seek to point them to Your love and grace.
(based on 2 Peter 3:9)
God, I confess that I am too easily irritated and hot-tempered. Give me patience today to bring calm into any situations that might escalate into a conflict.
(based on Proverbs 15:18)
Key Bible Verses about Patience
Choose one verse to memorize this month, either from the selections listed, or find another scripture that speaks to the attribute of patience. Make sure it is a verse you have not already memorized!
Psalm 37:7
Proverbs 14:29
Proverbs 15:18
Ecclesiastes 7:8
Romans 8:25
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 4:2
2 Timothy 4:2
James 5:8
2 Peter 3:9
Additional Reading on the Topic of Patience
Just You Wait: Patience, Contentment and Hope for the Everyday by Tricia Lott Williford
Waiting: A Bible Study on Patience, Hope, and Trust by Sharla Fritz
Patience: Waiting with Hope by Megan Hill
Galatians 5:22-23
Read through the passage several times this month to help you commit it to memory. Just reading the verse repeatedly as you go through studying a different fruit of the spirit each month will help you to “hide God’s word in your heart.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Word Study
Moving through the fruit of the spirit in order they are listed in the passage, this is the progression throughout the school year. However, you could certainly choose to rearrange the topics if you chose to do so.
For example, you could explore the character trait of being loving in February to tie in with Valentine’s Day or study joy in December to correspond to Christmas activities. Each word stands alone and the resources do not build on one another, so you have freedom to “drag and drop” into whichever time period you wish.
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Study for Students
This isn’t a typical Bible study in the sense of having daily or weekly lessons. Instead, it’s intended to be used as a supplemental study that’s low-key and flexible.
The monthly focus on one specific fruit of the spirit gives plenty of opportunity for discussion, scripture study, and reflection.
Even if your kids are doing a regular Bible study (which I hope they are), you can add in a few scriptures, a video, have them listen to a piece of music or read a poem each month and consider whether they are exhibiting that fruit of the spirit.
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Fruit of the Spirit Study: Patience (for Middle and High School Students)
