"Make sure you never pay back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." 1 Thessalonians 5:15
"As God's chosen people. holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
"Your kindness should be known to all!" Philippians 4:5 (NAB)
KINDNESS is LOVE IN ACTION
Jesus' Story of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37
3 POSSIBLE ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE
- I CAN KEEP MY DISTANCE
"There was a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. It so happened that a Priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side." Luke 10:30-31
- I CAN BE CURIOUS BUT UNCARING
"In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, but then walked on by on the other side." Luke 10:32
- I CAN SHOW KINDNESS
"But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity." Luke 10:33
"Always treat others as you would like them to treat you." Matthew 7:12
"The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others…harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds!" Galatians 6:7b (Mes)
"Your own soul is nourished when you are kind." Proverbs 11:17 (TLB)
HOW CAN I BECOME A KINDER PERSON?
- I MUST SEE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AROUND ME
"When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him." Luke 10:33
"Look out for the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24 (NCV)
Action Plan: Start each day this week by asking God to give you eyes to see the people who he is bringing into your life. Ask God to help you see their condition and
- I MUST SYMPATHIZE WITH THEIR PAIN
"When he saw him, his heart was filled with compassion." Luke 10:33
A KEY TO KINDNESS:
STOP ASKING: WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEM?
START ASKING: WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?
"Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
Action Plan: With the person God has placed on your heart, visit or call them this week. Listen to how their week is going. Take mental notes and ask leading questions to get them talking in more detail about what they are going through.
- I MUST SEIZE THE MOMENT TO HELP
"He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine." Luke 10:34a
"Whenever we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it! But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers." Galatians 6:10 (NCV)
"Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them NOW." Proverbs 3:27-28
Action Plan: Reflect this week on whether or not you are interruptible. People's needs are never an interruption, they are a part of your ministry. Be intentional about being interruptible.
- I MUST SPEND WHATEVER IT TAKES
"Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he gave the innkeeper some silver and told him to take care of the man. He said, ''If his bill runs higher than that, I'll pay the difference the next time I am here.'" Luke 10:34-35
"Jesus asked, 'Which of these 3 people would you say was a true neighbor to the one attacked?' The man said, 'The one who showed him kindness.' Jesus replied, 'You're Right! Now YOU GO & DO the same!'" Luke 10:36-37
"Being kind to the people in need is like lending to the Lord, and He will repay you for the kindness you have shown." Proverbs 19:17 (NCV)
"God saved you through faith as an act of his kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God." Ephesians 2:8 (GW)
Doable Discipleship: This week's episode of Doable Discipleship features a conversation with Pastor Ken Baugh on what it means to take a Sabbath. New episodes release every Tuesday. To listen,click here.
Talk It Over: Have you ever discussed the weekend message in your small group? Talk It Over provides weekly small group discussion questions as a way to bring the weekend message into your small group. To view this week's Talk It Over,click here
