Kingdom Character: KINDNESS (Week 6)

Preacher: Stephen Scott

Worship:
Song: Same God – Elevation Worship
As the song plays, reflect on this: How has God’s kindness been evident in your life recently?
This song reminds us that the same God who was kind, faithful, and near in Scripture is the same God we trust today.

Check-in:
Let’s be honest – kindness can be tested in everyday life.
What’s one funny or real-life moment recently where you found it hard to “just be kind”? (Think traffic, waiting in queues, bad customer service, load shedding, or online comments!)

Synopsis of message:
This week’s message reminded us that kindness is not optional – it’s a fruit of the Spirit that God grows in us.

The Greek word for kindness (chrēstotēs) means something that is useful, beneficial, and good for others.

Kindness is:

• Good for others – it heals, restores, and reflects God’s heart.
• Good for us – Proverbs 11:17 says kindness benefits our own soul.

But there are barriers that choke kindness. Stephen highlighted 4 “Uns” from 2 Timothy 3 that harden our hearts:

1. Unthankful – we forget how kind God has been to us.
2. Unholy – compromise makes it hard to reflect God’s nature.
3. Unloving – without love, kindness dries up.
4. Unforgiving – offense blocks kindness and hardens the heart.

The antidote? A tender heart.
Paul writes: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Scripture Focus:

• Galatians 5:22 – 23
• Ephesians 4:32
• Proverbs 11:17
• Proverbs 16:24
• Colossians 3:12 – 14
• 2 Timothy 3:1 – 5

Discussion Questions:

1. God’s Kindness to Us
   • How have you personally experienced the kindness of God?
   • Why do you think remembering God’s kindness helps us be more kind to others?
2. Barriers to Kindness
   • Of the 4 “Uns” (unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving), which one do you most relate to right now?
   • What’s one way you can keep your heart soft in that area?
3. Kindness That Heals
   • Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey – sweet for the soul and healthy for the body.”
   • Can you think of a time when someone’s kindness brought you healing or hope?
   • Who in your life needs kindness from you this week – even if it’s hard?

Prayer Moment:
Take a moment to pray personally:
“Holy Spirit, where is kindness being choked out in my life? How do You want to grow it in me?”
Then pray together:

• Thank God for His kindness toward us.
• Pray for soft, responsive hearts.
• Ask for specific opportunities this week to reflect God’s kindness to others.

Next Step:
Choose one intentional act of kindness this week.
It could be a kind message, forgiving someone, or serving without being noticed.
Write down and memorise this verse:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32