Kindness is more than being nice or agreeable or positive. But what distinguished the fruit of kindness in our lives from these cultural counterfeits? Answering that question can magnify our impact on the community around us. Kindness is an essential characteristic of a Kingdom person.
1. Icebreaker: If you could have an unlimited supply of one snack or treat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
2. Next Step Question: You were challenged to consider an unrequited act of kindness this week. How did you intentionally show kindness this week? How did it impact you? If you haven’t done it yet, what is your plan? What can your small group do to help encourage you?
3. Kindness is described as the generous orientation of our hearts toward others. Can you think of a time when someone’s kindness impacted you in a meaningful way?
4. Read Titus 3:4-5. We are told that God showed us kindness. According to this passage, in what ways are we recipients of God’s kindness? We are reminded that God showed us kindness by saving us out of His mercy, not because of anything we did. How does recognizing Godly kindness toward us change the way we should show kindness to others?
5. Read Romans 15:1-3. One of the attributes of kindness is that it builds others up (Romans 15:2). What are some practical ways we can use our words and actions to encourage and uplift those around us? How is one practical way to show kindness to your spouse? Kids? Coworker? Neighbor?
6. Read Galatians 6:1-2. The sermon pointed out that kindness also involves confrontation, as seen in Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman (John 4:17-18). How can we balance truth and kindness when addressing difficult conversations, especially with other Jesus Followers? Can you think of a time that biblical kindness required you to confront sin or evil? How were you able to be kind while living in the tension between truth and kindness?
7. Read Romans 12:20-21 challenges us to respond to evil with kindness. Have you ever struggled with showing kindness to someone who wronged you? How did you handle it?
8. The message talked about how kindness often comes at a cost to us. What are some personal sacrifices that may be required when we choose to be kind?
9. Luke 6:35 teaches that God is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked. Showing kindness to ungrateful and wicked people doesn’t come naturally to us. How can we develop a heart that extends kindness even when it’s undeserved?
10. Jesus prayed for forgiveness for those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). How does kindness play a role in forgiveness, and what steps can we take to forgive those who have hurt us?
Take time to pray for one another.
