Embodying Kindness: A Call to Transform Lives
Summary
### Summary
Today's reflection centers on the profound and transformative power of kindness, a fruit of the Spirit that God models for us continually. We began by acknowledging our human vulnerabilities and the importance of surrendering our fears and failures to God. This act of surrender allows us to be filled with God's love and kindness, which we are then called to extend to others.
A poignant story shared by my son Eli highlighted the toxic attitude of self-sufficiency that often prevents us from asking for help and, consequently, from giving and receiving kindness. This attitude can create barriers to genuine human connection and compassion. We are reminded that early Christians were sometimes called "the kind ones" due to the similarity between the Greek words for kindness (Christos) and Christ (Christos). This historical tidbit serves as a powerful reminder of the identity we are called to embody as followers of Christ.
The narrative of David and Jonathan from the Bible was used to illustrate the depth of covenantal love and kindness. Despite King Saul's jealousy and attempts to kill David, David's relationship with Jonathan remained steadfast. After Saul and Jonathan's deaths, David's act of kindness towards Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, exemplified the boundless nature of God's love and kindness. This story underscores that true kindness often involves acts of service and love towards those who may not expect it or even deserve it.
Kindness is not just about random acts towards strangers but also about consistent, intentional acts towards those we are close to. It requires an investment and a lifestyle of love and service. The story of Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand's experience with racism and the protective kindness of her teammates further illustrated the power of kindness to break down barriers and transform hearts.
As a community, we are called to be known for our kindness, even towards those who may oppose or misunderstand us. This counter-cultural approach to kindness can change the world, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways.
### Key Takeaways
1. Surrendering to God: Surrendering our fears and failures to God allows us to be filled with His love and kindness. This act of surrender is crucial for us to be able to extend genuine kindness to others, as it frees us from the burden of self-sufficiency and opens us to divine grace. [44:03]
2. The Toxicity of Self-Sufficiency: The belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness can hinder our ability to give and receive kindness. This attitude creates barriers to genuine human connection and compassion, making it difficult to experience and share God's love. [44:48]
3. Historical Identity of Christians: Early Christians were sometimes called "the kind ones" due to the similarity between the Greek words for kindness (Christos) and Christ (Christos). This historical identity challenges us to embody kindness as a core aspect of our faith and witness. [46:28]
4. Covenantal Love and Kindness: The story of David and Jonathan illustrates the depth of covenantal love and kindness. David's act of kindness towards Mephibosheth, despite Saul's enmity, exemplifies the boundless nature of God's love and calls us to extend kindness even to those who may not expect it or deserve it. [53:47]
5. Transformative Power of Kindness: Kindness has the power to break down barriers and transform hearts. Whether through small, consistent acts towards loved ones or protective, sacrificial acts in the face of adversity, kindness reflects the love of Christ and can change the world. [01:02:25]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[44:03] - The Story of Eli and Asking for Help
[44:48] - Self-Sufficiency and Kindness
[46:28] - Early Christians: The Kind Ones
[47:13] - God's Kindness in Everyday Life
[48:40] - David and Jonathan's Covenant
[53:47] - David's Kindness to Mephibosheth
[55:36] - Kindness in Close Relationships
[57:50] - Personal Story: Kindness at Work
[01:00:48] - Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand's Experience
[01:02:25] - Protective Kindness
[01:04:14] - Epworth: The Kind Ones
[01:05:04] - Responding with Kindness
[01:08:24] - Reflections on Annual Conference
[01:14:16] - Call to Action: Show Kindness
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 - "As soon as David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan's life became bound up with David's life, and Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself. From that point forward, Saul kept David in his service and wouldn't allow him to return to his father's household. And Jonathan and David made a covenant together because Jonathan loved David as much as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, as well as his sword, his bow, and his belt."
2. 2 Samuel 9:1-13 - The story of David's kindness to Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson.
3. Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the relationship between David and Jonathan as described in 1 Samuel 18:1-4?
2. How did David show kindness to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9:1-13?
3. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the fruits of the Spirit, and how is kindness described among them?
4. In the sermon, what was the toxic attitude that Eli's friend exhibited, and how did it affect their interaction? [44:03]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jonathan's love for David was described as being as much as he loved himself? How does this reflect the nature of covenantal love? [51:02]
2. What does David's act of kindness towards Mephibosheth teach us about extending kindness to those who may not expect it or deserve it? [53:47]
3. How does the historical identity of early Christians as "the kind ones" challenge modern Christians to embody kindness in their daily lives? [46:28]
4. Reflecting on Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand's experience, how can acts of kindness break down barriers and transform hearts, even in the face of adversity? [01:02:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by your fears and failures. How can surrendering these to God help you to be filled with His love and kindness? [44:03]
2. Have you ever hesitated to ask for help because you thought it was a sign of weakness? How can changing this mindset help you to give and receive kindness more freely? [44:48]
3. In what ways can you intentionally practice kindness towards those you are close to, making it a consistent part of your lifestyle rather than just random acts? [55:36]
4. How can you embody the identity of "the kind ones" in your community, especially towards those who may oppose or misunderstand you? [46:28]
5. Reflect on a situation where you witnessed or experienced kindness breaking down barriers. How can you replicate such acts of kindness in your own life to transform relationships and communities? [01:02:25]
6. Identify one person in your life who may not expect or deserve kindness. What specific act of kindness can you extend to them this week, following David's example with Mephibosheth? [53:47]
7. How can you respond with kindness in situations where you are attacked or misunderstood, as suggested in the sermon? What might this look like in practical terms? [01:05:48]
Devotional
### Day 1: Surrendering to God
Theme: Surrendering opens us to divine kindness.
Description: Surrendering our fears and failures to God is a crucial step in experiencing His love and kindness. When we hold onto our anxieties and shortcomings, we create barriers that prevent us from fully receiving God's grace. By surrendering, we acknowledge our human vulnerabilities and invite God to fill us with His transformative love. This act of surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice that allows us to be vessels of God's kindness to others. It frees us from the burden of self-sufficiency and opens us to the divine grace that empowers us to extend genuine kindness to those around us.
In our daily lives, this surrender can take many forms—prayer, meditation, or simply a moment of quiet reflection where we lay our burdens at God's feet. As we do this, we become more attuned to His presence and more capable of reflecting His love and kindness in our interactions with others. This divine kindness is not just for us to keep but to share, creating a ripple effect that can transform our communities and the world. [44:03]
Bible Passage: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What specific fears or failures are you holding onto today? Take a moment to surrender them to God and ask Him to fill you with His love and kindness.
### Day 2: The Toxicity of Self-Sufficiency
Theme: Self-sufficiency hinders genuine kindness.
Description: The belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness can be a significant barrier to experiencing and extending kindness. This toxic attitude of self-sufficiency creates walls that isolate us from genuine human connection and compassion. When we refuse to ask for help, we not only deprive ourselves of the kindness others are willing to offer but also miss opportunities to show kindness in return. This self-imposed isolation can make it difficult to experience and share God's love, as it goes against the very nature of community and mutual support that God intends for us.
Recognizing the toxicity of self-sufficiency is the first step towards breaking down these barriers. By embracing our need for help and being open to receiving kindness, we create a space for genuine human connection and compassion. This openness allows us to experience God's love more fully and equips us to extend that love to others in meaningful ways. [44:48]
Bible Passage: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with asking for help? How can you take a step today to break down the barrier of self-sufficiency and invite kindness into your life?
### Day 3: Historical Identity of Christians
Theme: Christians are called to embody kindness.
Description: Early Christians were sometimes referred to as "the kind ones" due to the similarity between the Greek words for kindness (Christos) and Christ (Christos). This historical identity serves as a powerful reminder of the core aspect of our faith and witness. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody kindness in all our interactions, reflecting the love and compassion of Jesus. This identity is not just a label but a way of life that challenges us to be intentional in our acts of kindness, both towards strangers and those we are close to.
Embodying kindness means going beyond random acts and making it a consistent, intentional part of our daily lives. It involves being mindful of the needs of others and responding with love and compassion, even when it is inconvenient or challenging. By doing so, we reflect the love of Christ in tangible ways and fulfill our calling as His followers. [46:28]
Bible Passage: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Reflection: How can you embody kindness in your daily interactions? Think of one specific way you can show intentional kindness to someone today.
### Day 4: Covenantal Love and Kindness
Theme: Kindness extends beyond expectations.
Description: The story of David and Jonathan illustrates the depth of covenantal love and kindness. Despite King Saul's jealousy and attempts to kill David, David's relationship with Jonathan remained steadfast. After Saul and Jonathan's deaths, David's act of kindness towards Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, exemplified the boundless nature of God's love and kindness. This story underscores that true kindness often involves acts of service and love towards those who may not expect it or even deserve it.
Covenantal love and kindness go beyond mere obligation; they are rooted in a deep commitment to the well-being of others. This type of kindness requires us to look beyond our own interests and extend love and compassion, even to those who may have wronged us or whom society deems unworthy. By doing so, we reflect the boundless nature of God's love and fulfill our calling to be His hands and feet in the world. [53:47]
Bible Passage: "And David said, 'Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?'" (2 Samuel 9:1, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may not expect or deserve your kindness. How can you extend covenantal love and kindness to them today?
### Day 5: Transformative Power of Kindness
Theme: Kindness transforms hearts and breaks barriers.
Description: Kindness has the power to break down barriers and transform hearts. Whether through small, consistent acts towards loved ones or protective, sacrificial acts in the face of adversity, kindness reflects the love of Christ and can change the world. The story of Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand's experience with racism and the protective kindness of her teammates illustrates this transformative power. Their acts of kindness not only protected her but also challenged and changed the hearts of those around them.
As a community, we are called to be known for our kindness, even towards those who may oppose or misunderstand us. This counter-cultural approach to kindness can create a ripple effect that transforms our communities and the world. By consistently choosing kindness, we reflect the love of Christ in tangible ways and fulfill our calling to be His ambassadors of love and compassion. [01:02:25]
Bible Passage: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you faced opposition or misunderstanding. How can you respond with transformative kindness in a way that reflects the love of Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "There's something about this attitude that we're supposed to be self-sufficient that is really an obstacle to giving and receiving kindness. This fruit of the Spirit that we're going to look at today. Because we have this sense that, you know, asking for help or needing help is a sign of weakness." [44:48](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Kindness is something that God has modeled for us over and over and over again. In fact, here's something I found out this week, and this was earlier in the week because I did do some homework, is that early Christians, were sometimes accidentally called the kind ones. And that's because in Greek, kindness is Christos and Jesus is Christos. Christos, Christos. You could see how they would kind of, you know, get it confused." [46:28](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When we think about it, we can think about we got up this morning, right? We didn't tell the sun to rise. We didn't make the plants grow so that we could eat our breakfast. Or we didn't make the chickens lay the eggs so we could have eggs for breakfast. Whatever it is you eat for breakfast, right? All of that is simply kindness. And it shows us that we are indeed interconnected." [47:13](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Kindness is probably the most outwardly focused of the fruit of the Spirit because you can see when someone's being kind or not. You can tell because it's this sense of, you know, offering acts of service to another person and expecting nothing in return." [54:41](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I often think of kindness as being little drips of water, and you think, Okay, whatever, you can just brush it off. But over time, have you seen what water does? Have you been to Niagara Falls? Have you seen how drips and drips and drips and drips of water change rocks, change rocks that we couldn't even begin to move? And that's what kindness does. It's these small drips of God's love and grace and kindness that begin to slowly change even the hardest of situations." [59:56](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And so God's love is this binding agent that holds us together with God and that holds us together not only with each other but with those beyond. Those that we might call other. And so God pours out this loving kindness on us and invites us to do the same thing. And I think that's what was going on with King David today." [47:57](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "David said, is there anyone in Saul's household to whom I may show kindness? Okay? This sense of loving kindness. Is there anyone? And so he sends, you know, out his servants. His servants find Ziba. Ziba comes back and says, yes, there is actually someone named Mephibosheth. And I had to practice that a gazillion times too, Kathy. Mephibosheth, Mephibosheth. And so he said, and, you know, he's still surviving. And so David reached out to him and brought him into his household because Mephibosheth was differently abled in his feet." [53:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so David's like, come on into my household. His enemy's grandson. Come on into my household. What an amazing gift of kindness. And, you know, and it shows that when you are swept up, we're told in Scripture that David was a man after God's own heart, right? So when you are so swept up in God's love for you and your love for God, you can offer this kind of kindness to other people." [54:41](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And yet who needs kindness more than the people we love? When was the last time you told your best friend or your parent or your child or your spouse or significant other or your neighbor, I appreciate you. You do this and that brings me such joy. You know, and yet those are acts of kindness that can change people's hearts. Because our world is filled with messages that say, you're wrong. You're not enough. You can't do this. You don't look like models. You don't have money like millionaires. You can't succeed in this." [56:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so, I hope you know that God pours out loving kindness on you every single day. And I hope that gives you the courage then whether it's to throw your body on someone to protect them, or to offer small acts of kindness over and over and over again. Because when we do that, we experience the amazing presence of God in our lives as we share that kindness with others." [01:05:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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