1. Icebreaker: If you could pay someone to wait in line for anything in the world, what would it be and why?
2. Next Step Question: Where in your life do you see ungodly patience? Either bottled-up, pressure-cooker or apathetic “it is what it is” patience? How can you actively choose to trust God in that situation?
3. Patience is not just holding in frustration like a pressure cooker. Can you think of a time when you thought you were being patient, but in reality, you were just suppressing emotions? How did that affect you or others?
4. The sermon mentioned that patience is not resignation ”just accepting things passively.” How does biblical patience differ from simply “putting up with” a situation or person?
5. The Bible repeatedly describes God as “slow to anger.” How does God’s patience with us shape the way we should be patient with others?
6. The sermon said patience is an active choice, not just a feeling. How does that challenge the way you typically think about patience in your life?
7. Romans 12:12 says, “Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” How can patience and prayer work together when you’re going through a difficult time?
8. Waiting is often a key part of trusting God. Have you ever experienced a time when you had to wait on God’s timing? What did you learn from that season?
9. The analogy of trees growing stronger in the shade suggests that slow, steady growth leads to resilience. Can you think of a time when a season of difficulty actually made you stronger in your faith?
10. The sermon mentioned that patience applies both to situations and relationships. Is there someone in your life you struggle to be patient with? Boss? Children? Spouse? Yourself? God? How might choosing to trust God change the way you respond to them?
