“Fruit of the Spirit” Kindness

The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:25

Note:  The Greek word for this “fruit” is very broad and hard to translate.  It can mean humility, gentleness, kindness, tender-hearted, caring, serving, generous, supportive, etc.  

How are all these concepts related?

The Dictionary:

Kind  Gentle, tender-hearted, generous, affectionate

Care  Close attention, an inclination to do something, protection, custody, concern

All these qualities, fruits, come from God – we are called to reflectthem.  Read the following:

I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me.  Ps. 23:4

I, the Lord, am He who comforts you.  Isaiah 51:12

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loves us, gives us His grace,  eternal encouragement and good hope.  2 Thessalonians 2:16

When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Matthew 9:36

1.

From whom comes all true comfort and care?

2.

Therefore, who will empower us to care?

The Bible is filled with examples of people caring for one another.  Perhaps the best known example is in Luke 10:30-37.  Read that.

3.

Three people encountered the wounded traveler.  The first was a priest, the second a Levite (of the priestly tribe and often assistants to priests).  The third was a “foreigner.”  What strong rebuke is Jesus giving?

4.

What motivated the Samaritan (vs. 34)?

5.

What costs and risks were involved in what he did?

6.

While Jesus certainly means to care even for strangers, the story is told that way to as to make the point clear.  Who else should we care for?

For each of the following verses, note what we are being called to do.  How are they all aspects of this “fruit?”

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by having the same love.  Phil. 2:1-2

Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit but rather in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Phil. 2:3

Each of you should look not just to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.  Phil. 2:4

If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last and the servant of all.  Mark 9:35

Serve one another in love.  Indeed, the entire Law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  Gal. 5:13

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.  Gal. 6:2

Brothers, if someone is caught up in a sin, you should restore him, but be gentle for you too are sinners!  Gal. 6:1

Is anyone sick? He should call all on the elders and they should pray over him. James 5:14

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  1 Cor. 12:26

Encourage one another and build each other up in the Lord.  1 Thess. 5:11

Hold each other up in highest regard. Live in peace with each other.  Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Always be kind to each other – and to everyone else.  1 Thess. 5:13-15

Offer hospitality to each other.  1 Peter 4:9

There should be no division in the church, its members should have equal concern for each other.  If one suffers, all suffer with him.  If one is honored, all rejoice with him.  1 Cor. 12:25-26

They devoted themselves to the Apostle’s teaching and to fellowship with each other, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44  All the believers were of one heart and there were no needy persons among them; they shared everything they had.  Acts 4:32 & 34

7.

How would you summarize these commands?

8.

For what church members have you prayed today?  This week?  Can you list them?  How can you grow in this “fruit?”

9.

When did you last phone a church member?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How can you grow in this fruit?

10.

 When did you last send a card or write a note to a church member?  Is this common?

11.

 When did you last offer purposeful words of affirmation or encouragement or strength or comfort to a church member?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How could you grow in this fruit?

12.

 When did you last have a church member over to your home for a personal visit?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How can you grow in this fruit?

13.

 When did you last help a church member with some personal need?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How can you grow in this fruit?

14.

 When did you last thank a church member?  Suffer with them?  Rejoice with them?

15.  What about the above to those perhaps more difficult:  neighbors, fellow workers, strangers?