Kindness | Fruits of the Spirit | Week 5

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”.

Background & Application - Ephesians 4 was written by Paul, he’s describing both the unity of believers and the new hope which Christians have in Jesus. He writes about how Christians should posture themselves and act towards one another. Believers are called to put away sinful practices and attitudes. Verse 32 reminds us to look to Christ as the model and strive to act as He has acted towards us; if He can forgive us for our sinful ways, we can forgive our neighbors.

What is kindness?

What ways can we show kindness to those around us?

What are some stories from the Bible that display kindness?

What are some ways in which the Lord has shown his kindness to us?

Dive Deeper:

Titus 3:4-7 NIV: 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. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Romans 11:22 NIV: Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Ephesians 2:6-7 NIV: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.