23 Jun
2024

Be Kind

Passage: Galatians 5:22-25 & Ephesians 4:25 – 5:1

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.” —Abraham Lincoln

“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.”  —Romans 2:4

 

SERMON OUTLINE:

  1. What is the kindness of God?
  2. What does kindness look like?
  3. How do we fuel kindness?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. How would you define the type of kindness practiced or celebrated on a day like that? How might that definition of kindness compare with a biblical definition?

Read Galatians 5: 22-25 and Ephesians 4:25 – 5:1. What from these passages do we learn about God and about our human condition? What in this passages surprises, encourages, or challenges your understanding of following Jesus?

In Romans 2:4 the apostle Paul writes, “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” The Bible defines kindness as costly generosity, the opposite of selfishness, not based on merit but mercy, and a powerful action that requires great strength. Interact with this picture of kindness and discuss how we see the kindness of God most clearly in Jesus’s life, death and resurrection. How does God’s kindness lead to repentance?

As we have received the kindness of God we are called to be kind to each other with physical care, confronting sin, and forgiveness. How have you experienced (whether giving or receiving or both) this practice of kindness?

If we expose ourselves regularly to the kindness of God it will fuel kindness in our lives towards others. What practices or rhythms do you have in your life to take in the kindness of God? What gets in your way of gazing upon God’s kindness?

PRAYER

Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week? Spend time praising God for the truth below from Titus 3.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. (Titus 3:4-5 )

SERMON NOTES

In our distracted age, books can give us perspective and space to reflect (Audio books count ☺) Consider the following recommendations for further reading:

Gentle and Lowly – Dane Ortlund (your relationship with Jesus)
Made for People – Justin Early (your relationships with others)
Slow Productivity – Cal Newport (your relationship with work)