When a little Peruvian bear finds himself at Paddington station, London in search of a new home, the Brown family see him and decide to show a little kindness….

 

Applications:

Kindness:

Say: Mrs Brown showed such kindness to Paddington Bear at the train station didn’t she?! She could have simply walked on by, like the rest of the family was doing, yet she chose to display kindness and speak to the bear. It is not usually difficult to show a little kindness during our day, yet it is so surprising how often we forget to do it. Sometimes showing kindness requires a little thought; what would be the kind thing to do for that person? What would make that person smile? How can I make that person’s day better?

Have you ever had someone do something for you that was a kind thing? Sometimes someone simply opening a door for you, or sharing their toys with you can bring a smile to your face. God loves it when we show kindness because it shows that we are thinking about other people and not just ourselves. He loves and cares about everyone and so it brings a smile to His face when we spread a little kindness to those around us. Besides, our God is a kind God! When we are kind we are showing those around us what our God is truly like! HE IS KIND. So… what kind thing can you do for someone today?

PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE THAT SHOWED KINDNESS:

The Good Samaritan showed much kindness to the man that lay on the road. He could have simply walked past him like everyone else did, yet he showed kindness and helped the man, even paying for his treatment. (Luke 10:25-37)

David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheph (2 Samuel 9). David was also kind to Nabal and his men (1 Samuel 25:2-42).

The servant girl showed kindness to Naaman.

Jesus was kind to the children and to those that nobody expected him to be kind towards such as the woman caught in adultery.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT KINDNESS:

In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. Isaiah 54:8.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge,  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8.

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. Titus 3:4-5.

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. Ephesians 2:6-7.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32.

A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. Proverbs 11:17.

For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you,provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. Romans 11:21-23.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1.) When was the last time you did something kind?

2.) What do you think the world would be like if everyone was a little bit kinder?

3.) How does it feel when somebody does something kind to you?

4.) What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

5.) Why is kindness important to God? Why is it a fruit of the Spirit?

6.) How did Jesus display kindness?