“Acts of Kindness”
Last month we focused on the command to “Love Thy Neighbor.” By loving others we forgive, accept and honor others based on God’s love for us, not based on how others have treated us. This type of love that is described in God’s Word is patient and kind. The kindness in love is what we are going to focus on this month. In Romans 2:4, the apostle Paul says: "God's kindness leads you toward repentance." In other words kindness has the power to soften hearts. The Greek root for kindness, as used in the New Testament, means uprightness or benevolence and describes the ability to act for the welfare of others. Kindness can be quite unnatural due to our selfishness or experiences when we have been hurt, offended, or frustrated by others. Kindness is when your child, though treated badly by a friend, shares gummy bears with his friend at snack time. Kindness is when you, though frustrated by your child's poor choices, choose not to react in anger. It's an unnatural act that comes supernaturally through the Holy Spirit. But kindness by itself is insufficient. Paul describes kindness as a part of the fruit of the Spirit, which also includes love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). He speaks about the fruit of the Spirit, however, not as a list of isolated character traits, but as one thing. We show the fruit of the Spirit only as we develop these qualities together.
Key Points
· Kindness has the power to soften people's hearts.
· Kindness is the ability to act for the welfare others.
· To be genuine, kindness must be accompanied by the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.
Family Memory Verse
Titus 3:4-5
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy."
Scripture Study
For a more in-depth look at kindness, read these Bible passages:
· Matthew 5:43-45
· Romans 11:22
· Ephesians 2:6-7
· Colossians 3:12
Family Application
Use this activity to help your child understand how our acts of kindness can reflect the kindness of God. You'll need a coin, white paper and several crayons in bright colors, as well as one black crayon.
Draw an outline of a person on the paper. Then, with your child, fill in that shape with bright splashes of color. While you are coloring, explain that God designed us to show His love and kindness to those around us. Our actions demonstrate His kindness to others.
Now give your child a black crayon and have him add black splotches over the bright colors. Explain that when we don't treat others with kindness, our lives no longer show God's character. Discuss a few situations in which people may act unkind.
Next, use the coin to lightly scratch away the black patches. Tell your child that as we are kind to others, the kindness of God begins to shine through. If we continue to show kindness, people will see a clearer picture of God’s character. Kindness not only blesses others through our actions but also helps people see the ultimate Creator of that kindness. (thrivingfamily.com)
Since it is summertime, and there is more free time since our kids are out of school, I thought this would be a great opportunity for us to display random acts of kindness in our community in the name of Christ. Below is a list of suggestions that you can do:
1 – Leave your mailman a box of cookies and a note thanking him for delivering your mail.
2 - Take a plate of homemade muffins and hand written note or picture to your local fire department thanking them for their service in your community.
3 – Have children create their own colorful “Have a great day” cards and deliver them to an assisted living facility near your home.
4 – Have each child pick out and deliver a vase of flowers to strangers at a local hospital. You could also leave coloring books and crayons in a waiting area at doctor's office.
5 – Make a donation to your local food pantry.
6 – Make special notes for your Children’s Pastors and Children’s Ministry volunteers.
7 – Drop off candy for your local librarians.
8 – Leave your waitress an extra treat and note along with their tip.
9 – Go to a local swimming pool and pass out popsicles.
10 – Extend an act of kindness to someone who has tested your patience or been unkind to you recently.
*These are just some suggestions to get you started. Feel free to do them all or just a few. Have fun and let your children be creative. I look forward to hearing what kind of responses you received from your children and the receipients of your acts of kindness.
Crystal (:
