Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 15:4, 5; Rom. 5:3–5;
1 Samuel 26; Ps. 37:1–11.
Memory Text: “But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . longsuffering” (Gala-
tians 5:22, NKJV).
Scientists did an experiment with four-year-old children and
marshmallows. Each child was told by a scientist that they could
have a marshmallow; however, if the child waited until the sci-
entist returned from an errand, they would be given two. Some of the
children stuffed the marshmallow into their mouths the moment the
scientist left; others waited. The differences were noted.
The scientists then kept track of these children into their teenage
years. The ones who had waited turned out to be better adjusted, bet-
ter students, and more confident than those who didn’t. It seemed that
patience was indicative of something greater, something important in
the human character. It is no wonder, then, that the Lord tells us to
cultivate it.
This week, we’ll look at what could be behind some of the most try-
ing of all crucibles: the crucibles of waiting.
The Week at a Glance: Why do we sometimes have to wait
so long for things? What lessons can we learn about patience while
in the crucible?
