From Roots to Fruits (Week 5 - Kindness)

Icebreaker:

Give each person a standard piece of paper, preferably blank.

Handout pencils, pens, and/or markers to each person.

From Roots to Fruits

The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

Tonight = kindness

I want you to take your pen/pencil/marker and draw on your piece of paper a table setting, complete with fork, knife, spoon, plate, etc.

Then, on your plate I want you to draw your favorite meal.

Then we’ll go around and try and guess what you’ve drawn.

Have them start.

Q., While we’re drawing, would a few of you tell us about a time that you went to a “fancy” restaurant or dinner or event where you had to dress up and kind of act a certain way?

Q. What are some of the rules of “etiquette” that you’ve heard or you had to follow?

No elbows on the table, don’t slurp your soup, cut our food with a knife, say please and thank you, etc.

Questions To Tie It In:

Q. What does table etiquette and manners have to do with kindness?

Etiquette = certain rules, kindness = acting certain ways

Practicing kindness is important

Examining kindness in the Bible

Start with fruit of the Spirit passage

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

HS indwells believers, produces fruit

Pressing into what the Spirit is doing within us

The fifth = kindness

Other Bible passages about kindness

Acts 28:2 (ESV)

2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.

Q. How is the kindness described in this verse?

Kindness = Unusual

Q. What was unusual about it?

Kindness to strangers

Being extra kind

Q. What did they do that was kind?

Made a fire in the midst of the rain and cold and welcomed them

Meeting needs

The connection between kindness and ministry

Q. Is it especially important to be kind to visitors? Why or why not?

It is!

First impression

Want to come back

The ultimate example of kindness

Titus 3:4–7 (ESV)

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Q. Where is God’s kindness seen most clearly?

In Jesus, our Savior!

Q. Why is God interested in us being kind?

Created for kindness

“Kindness” in Greek = “to put at ease.”

Q. How does a kind person put you at ease?

Kindness calms down

Kindness disarms

Kindness tears down walls

Q. Why should Christians have a reputation as being kind?

Jesus is kind

His kindness is what saves us

Q. Do you think most Christians do?

Do you think YOU do?

Think of someone you know that you find it easy to be around...

Q. What does kindness have to do with your witness to others who don’t know God?

Unusual kindness sticks out

Q. How can being kind create opportunities for you to share the truth of God with others?

“Why are you so kind?”

A principle about kindness:

Luke 6:38 (ESV)

38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Q. What is this verse saying?

Generous to others = others generous to you

What does this verse say about kindness?

Kindness given = kindness received

Is that a good motivation to be kind? What motivation do YOU need to be kind?

Partially; although shouldn’t be primary reason

Is the fact that God is kind and expects us to be kind motivation enough?

It should be!

God is kind to us, so we are kind to others

Application:

Give each person a piece of paper, and have them anonymously write one kind thing about each person.

After these are written, I will say them out loud

Q. How does it feel to hear something kind about yourself?

Q. How does it feel to say something kind about someone else?

Kindness = important

Kindness changes things

Its time to embrace this

Pray as we go into small groups

PRAY

Small Group Questions:

1. Why do you think practicing kindness is important in our daily lives?

2. Read Galatians 5:22-23. How is the kindness mentioned here different from just being nice?

3. How can we show kindness in simple, everyday situations?

4. What are some ways we can be kind to strangers or visitors in our church or community?

5. Can you think of a story from the Bible where someone showed great kindness? What can we learn from that story?

6. What role does kindness play in our church community, and how can we encourage each other to be more kind?

7. Why is it important for Christians to be known for their kindness? How can this be a part of our witness to others?

Closing Activity:

As we close tonight, let’s all think about someone who we can show kindness to as a small group. Who is someone in our church that we can show kindness to? What will we do and when will we do it?

- The person to receive kindness from our group is:

_____________________________

- What we’ll do and when:

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

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