Love Is Kind

Being kind is much more than being polite. The main idea of kindness is doing something that is helpful or useful for someone else. It’s easy to show kindness to friends or to people you expect to treat you the same way. It is much more difficult to show kindness to someone you either don’t know very well or are at odds with. The pattern of our kindness is our heavenly Father who patiently demonstrates grace even toward rebellious sinners. Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to them, knowing that we have a reward in heaven (see Matt 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:18-21)

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the ways YOU are unkind to others, even if they don’t realize it? Think of unkind words, attitudes, and actions expressed in society, in the church, and in your own family.
2. Who are some of the most difficult people in your life to be kind to? Why do you think that is?
3. What excuses do you make for yourself when you are unkind to others? How do you try to justify your lack of love?
4. Can you think of a time when someone might have accused Jesus of being unkind? In those situations, what was Jesus’ motive? How might his actions be different than our sinful, unkind acts?
5. What are some practical ways you can show kindness to others in your family, in your church, or in your neighborhood? Will you commit to doing one of these this week?
6. Have someone in the group close with a prayer confessing our lack of kindness and asking for the grace to show biblical love to all.