Gentle & Lowly Video Study

In Gentle and Lowly, author Dane Ortlund draws on wisdom from Scripture and the work of renowned pastors and theologians to unravel false ideas about God's nature and reclaim his wondrous love for us. In this introduction to the series, Ortlund helps viewers get to know the true heart of Christ: a friend to sinners and sufferers.

Dane Ortlund opens this teaching series by discussing Matthew 11:28–30, the central passage of Gentle and Lowly. Ortlund explains that Jesus's divinity doesn't make him unapproachable; Christ's true, innermost heart is tender and always accessible to those who trust him.

Dane Ortlund walks through chapters 3–5 of Gentle and Lowly. He refers to Hebrews 4–5 to explain how Christ's human experience-minus sin-allows him to have solidarity with believers and sympathize with us in our anguish. Ortlund also expounds on what brings Christ joy: when we draw near to him and find comfort in his atoning work.

In chapters 6–7 of Gentle and Lowly, author Dane Ortlund expands on the promise in John 6:37 that Jesus will never cast out those who trust in him. Ortlund also explores Hosea 11 to prove that God demonstrates the same compassion in the Old Testament as Christ does in the New Testament.

In this session Ortlund reflects on chapters 8–9 of Gentle and Lowly, exploring how Jesus intercedes, or advocates, for us. Reading from Hebrews 7:25 and 1 John 2, Ortlund demonstrates that, while Christ's atoning work is complete, intercession applies his work personally in our lives.

Chapters 10–12 of Gentle and Lowly focus on Christ's gentle heart, his emotional life, and his heart as a friend to believers. Dane Ortlund reads from John 11:33, explaining how Christ's goodness draws us to him. Also, in Matthew 11:19, we learn that Jesus is a friend of sinners.

In Chapters 13 and 14 of Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund explores the connection between the heart of Christ and the rest of the Trinity. Reading from the book of John as well as 1 and 2 Corinthians, we see how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all share the same gentle, forgiving heart for believers.

Covering chapters 15–16 of Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund shares from Exodus 34 and Lamentations 3 to show how the God of the Old Testament, "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love," is reflected in the nature of Jesus.

Reviewing chapters 17–18 of Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund explores the meaning of the passage in Isaiah 55 that says God's "ways are not our ways." Ortlund also examines Jeremiah 31, underscoring God's mercy and yearning love for us.

Chapters 19–21 of Gentle and Lowly reflect on Paul's letters in the New Testament and what they tell us about the nature of God. While humans are naturally inclined to believe in works-based love, passages such as Ephesians 2 and Romans 5 reveal that God is rich in mercy and loves us even in our sin.

In this final session, which covers chapters 22–23 of Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund looks to the future described in John 13:1 and Ephesians 2:7. For those in Christ, our death is a beginning, not an end, and our salvation is certain. Because of Jesus's death on the cross, the love we'll enjoy in heaven begins right now in our Christian lives in this world.

Dane Ortlund closes the Gentle and Lowly teaching session with a few parting thoughts and a final reading from his book.