First Quarter--2010--LESSON 6--The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness

[Wally]

LESSON  6     *January 30 - February 5

   The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness
     
   
   
   SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week's Study:
     

2 Sam. 9:1-13; Prov. 15:1-5; 25:11-15; Matt. 5:43-48; Luke 6:35, 38; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12-14.

Memory Text:
     

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering" (Colossians 3:12, NKJV).
         When Paul illustrated how love behaves, patience came into his mind first: "Love suffers long" (1 Cor. 13:4, NKJV). Immediately after patience, he wrote that love "is kind," showing that love and kindness so belong together that without kindness no act is truly done in love!

Patience, we saw, is love forbearing. Kindness, on the other hand, implies a more active expression of love. Often patience might be manifested by doing nothing; kindness, in contrast, is manifested by what we say and do and, more important, by how we say it and do it and, even more important, why we say and do it.

Kindness is not beyond the reach of any, although it may take the sacrifice of time and energy. Kindness is a verb that reveals itself in numerous ways. And like its close cousin "love," kindness contains incredible power; it is a witness in and of itself of what our God is like.  

*Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 6.

SUNDAY    January 31

The Model of Kindness  (Matt. 5:43-48)

Jesus clearly illustrates in the Sermon on the Mount the kindness and goodness of God. Read Matthew 5:43-48 and answer the following questions:

  (1) To what high standard is Jesus calling us here?  

  (2) What reason does Jesus give for calling us to this standard?  

  (3) Notice Christ's use of the word perfect in verse 48. What is the meaning of perfect here, and how can the use of the word here help us understand what it means to be perfect like "our Father in heaven" is perfect?  

God's gracious gifts are just that, gracious gifts. They are unearned and unmerited by all human beings, all of whom have willingly sinned against Him and either ignored or neglected Him. In this sense the greatest sinner is in the same boat as the holiest saint: Neither deserve the kindness and goodness that God gives to us all.

With these verses, Jesus is calling us to be "perfect," even as perfect as God. How so? By loving our enemies, by praying for those who mistreat us, by being kind to those who have not been kind to us. This is how Jesus defines being "perfect." Try to and imagine what our church would be like and what our homes would be like were we to die to self enough so that we actually could live this way! We would have a power and a witness against which the gates of hell could never prevail. What's the only thing stopping us? Nothing but our sinful, vengeful hearts, which, more often than not, cause us to act like "publicans."
What painful and deep changes must you make if you are going to follow Christ's words in these verses?  

MONDAY    February 1

Kindness to a “Dead Dog”

Read 2 Samuel 9:1-13. How did David show kindness here? How did he, by this act, reveal the character of God?  

"Through reports from the enemies of David, Mephibosheth had been led to cherish a strong prejudice against him as a usurper; but the monarch's generous and courteous reception of him and his continued kindness won the heart of the young man; he became strongly attached to David, and, like his father Jonathan, he felt that his interest was one with that of the king whom God had chosen."--Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 713.

David's kindness to the house of Saul reveals that he sought to use God as the pattern for what he wanted to do for Saul's house. He recognized that he, a sinner like all of us, had received undeserved mercy and kindness from the hand of God and was going to reflect that kindness to others.

Before we can pass on God's kindness to others, what must we first recognize? See Luke 7:47. What crucial principle is found here that can play an important role in helping us understand the whole question of kindness to others?  

Think for a few moments about the goodness and kindness of God toward you. Do you deserve it? Is it something that's owed you? Are your thoughts, your deeds, your words so selfless, so holy, so loving and accepting that God is merely doing to you as you have done to others? Most likely the answer is No. And herein is a crucial point. When we realize what God has forgiven us, when we realize that God loves us despite what we are and what we have done, then we truly can understand what it means to be kind and loving to those who don't deserve our kindness or our love. How important, then, that we keep the Cross and what it means to us, individually, before us at all times.
What things has God forgiven you for over the years? How should that realization help you treat those who have done things to hurt you?  

[Wally]

TUESDAY     February 2

Kind Words (Eph. 4:32)

Ephesians 4:32 begins with the words, “And be kind to one another” (NKJV). Look at how this verse fits in perfectly with what we saw yesterday, about treating others as God has treated us!

Kindness is to mark the Christian at all times. But there are at least three specific needs that call for three specific kinds of encouragement.

First, we are to show kindness to spiritual babies. “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (1 Thess. 2:7, NKJV).

Second, we are to show kindness and encouragement to the weak. “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1, NKJV).

Third, we are to serve as a nurse to the spiritually sick (2 Tim. 2:24, 25).

A businessman was once heard to say, “I can’t wait to get home at night, I get so tired of being kind all day!” What a sad attitude to have toward human life.

Kindness, especially in our homes, is crucial. And one of the most important ways we can manifest kindness, especially in our homes, is in the way we talk to each other. The atmosphere of the home largely is determined by the words we speak. So many problems, so many hurts, so many tensions and outright fights could be avoided were we careful not only with what we say but how we say it. Oftentimes one could say something and not hurt or offend, or one could say the exact words to the same person and greatly hurt and offend. The key is how we speak. Human speech is more than just the meanings of words themselves; tone, facial expression, body language, stress are all part and parcel of conveying our thoughts, emotions, and ideas to others.
Read Proverbs 15:1–5 and Proverbs 25:11–15. What important principles about what you say and how you say it are revealed in these texts? As you read them, ask yourself about your use of words when talking to others. In what ways could you be kinder in your verbal communication with others? 

WEDNESDAY    February 3

Kindness Returned (Luke 6:38)

“ ‘Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you’ ” (Luke 6:38, NKJV). What is Jesus saying here? What principle of life is He talking about? 

So often, how we treat others comes back on ourselves. That is, when we are kind, it’s so much likelier that others will be kind to us. It works the other way, too: be mean to others, and others will be mean to you, as well.

Of course, it doesn’t always happen that way. (Look at Jesus and how He was treated!) But whether it does or doesn’t, in one sense it doesn’t really matter. As Christians, we always should be kind, even if that kindness is not given back to us. In fact, as we have read, being kind to those who are unkind to us is a hallmark of being a true follower of Jesus. In general, however, how we treat others will impact how we ourselves are treated. “‘Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets’” (Matt. 7:12, NKJV).

Read Luke 6:35. How does this fit in with what we’ve been talking about all week?

It’s always easy to be kind to someone who could be of benefit to you down the road. Anyone will do that. What’s harder, however, is to be kind, especially when it costs you something, to those who can never do anything for you in return. That’s the real test.
Examine yourself. Is your kindness motivated by selfless and self-sacrificial love, or is it motivated even slightly by a desire to look out for number one? If it’s the latter, how can you change? 

[Wally]

THURSDAY     February 4

Put on Kindness (Col. 3:12–14)

Read Colossians 3:12–14 and then rewrite it in your own words. In what ways do these verses reveal the essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ (notice the use of the term perfect or perfection? Also, think about how powerful our witness to the world would be were we to put these words into practice. 

Alexander Maclaren, noted London clergyman of the late nineteenth century, wrote: “Gentleness is the strongest force in the world. You take all the steam hammers that were ever forged and battle at an iceberg, and except for the comparatively little heat that is developed by the blows and melts some small portion, it will still be ice, though pulverized instead of whole. But let it move gently down to the southward, there the sunbeams smite the coldness of death, and it is dissipated in the warm ocean. Kindness is conquering.”

As Adventists, we have very powerful scriptural evidence to back up our positions. (If we don’t, then what are we doing here?) And that’s, of course, important. But we need more than just correct teaching, don’t we?

“If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 189.

When we teach the doctrines of the church, we include the Sabbath, the state of the dead, the origin of sin, and other defining beliefs. But are we as careful about emphasizing the importance of kindness and the other fruit of the Spirit, along with the Sermon on the Mount and 1 Corinthians 13? Knowing that the Sabbath is the seventh day or that the dead sleep until the resurrection or that Christ’s righteousness covers us now and in the final judgment is all fine, and important. But having knowledge alone isn’t the same thing as knowing the truth as it is in Jesus (John 14:6), for the truth sets us free (John 8:32); that is, the truth changes us and makes us more like Christ. Could one then ask, Do we really have the truth if the Truth, Jesus, doesn’t have us?

 

FRIDAY    February 5

Further Study: 
     “From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action . . . showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out—homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew.”—Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 37, emphasis supplied.

“There are many who regard the expression of love as a weakness, and they maintain a reserve that repels others. This spirit checks the current of sympathy. As the social and generous impulses are repressed, they wither, and the heart becomes desolate and cold. We should beware of this error. Love cannot long exist without expression. Let not the heart of one connected with you starve for the want of kindness and sympathy.”—Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 107, emphasis supplied. 

Discussion Questions:
        As a class, go over the final question at the end of Thursday’s lesson: “Do we really have the truth if the Truth, Jesus, doesn’t have us?” What are the implications of your answer?

   “Love cannot long exist without expression.” What does that mean, and why does it represent a principle that’s so important for us as a church?

   Review the texts this week that talked about us being “perfect.” How should we understand what this idea means? What are the common problems and misconceptions that we as a church have struggled with over the use and meaning of this term? 

   Trace in your own experience how the attitudes of other Adventists have affected you and your faith. That is, were folk kind to you and, if so, how did that kindness impact you? On the other hand, were folk unkind to you and, if so, how did that impact you? Share your stories with others in the class. What can you take away from these experiences that can help the class better understand how important kindness is in our witness? 

[Richard Myers]

Are there ever situations where one would not show "kindness" to another?  In order to perceive the truth in this, maybe we need to sweep away some lies.  When would you not be kind, but keep a reserve? Is it justified from Scripture? Would Jesus act in such a way?

[JimB]

I'm guessing that to the pharisees and money changers in the temple didn't perceive Christ as being kind when He cleansed the temple of their presence. I also doubt that Moses was seen as kind as he dealt the with the Hebrews after Aaron made them a golden calf to worship. I'm also reminded of this that was said about Paul...

How different from Paul's manner of writing to the Corinthian church was the course he pursued toward the Galatians! The former he rebuked with caution and tenderness, the latter with words of unsparing reproof. The Corinthians had been overcome by temptation. Deceived by the ingenious sophistry of teachers who presented errors under the guise of truth, they had become confused and bewildered. To teach them to distinguish the false from the true, called for caution and patience. Harshness or injudicious haste on Paul's part would have destroyed his influence over many of those whom he longed to help.  {AA 385.1}

     In the Galatian churches, open, unmasked error was supplanting the gospel message. Christ, the true foundation of the faith, was virtually renounced for the obsolete ceremonies of Judaism. The apostle saw that if the believers in Galatia were saved from the dangerous influences which threatened them, the most decisive measures must be taken, the sharpest warnings given. {AA 385.2}

[Richard Myers]

Yes, it is necessary to understand these actions in light of the fruits of the Spirit. I know that in my life, there are times when I cannot reach out to some in a "kind" way. Kind as in when Jesus turned over the tables? We do not want to make excuses for being nasty, there is no excuse for this. But, we need to better understand how we are to act in different situations.

I am reminded of a statement that discusses those who place their arms around some who have been reproved in an effort to comfort them. I think I am getting close to expressing where it is that we need to have clarification. When we have His Spirit we want to reflect His character as perfectly as we can.

[Richard Myers]

When we see someone who is reproved and it is in harmony with Scripture and not done in anger, then is it appropriate to sympathize with the offender right then? 

[JimB]

I'm thinking of Aaron who was told not to show signs of grief for his two sons. 

[Wally]

When we see someone who is reproved and it is in harmony with Scripture and not done in anger, then is it appropriate to sympathize with the offender right then? 

It would seem that showing them sympathy would be like condoning what they did, and possibly disapproving of the reproof which they received.  The example Jim gave is a good one.

Kindness in a situation like what you described would involve helping this person build their character in such a way as to avoid the necessity of reproof in the future.

[Wally]

I am a reminded of a story told by Charles Edwards (bother of King's Herald's member, Bob Edwards).  There was a young PK who was sowing his wild oats, which incuded the usual vices.  This incident happened at campmeeting time.  Edwards saw him walking along the road cigarette dangling from his mouth; and, instead of shaking his head an driving by, he offered him a lift.  He then proceeded to express his concern for his welfare, and invited him to campmeeting.  He did not utter one word of criticism.  As a result of that converstaion the young man went to campmeeting, accepted Jesus, and became a faithful church member.  Edwards would have never known the results of his kindness, but years later the man contacted him and told him the rest of the story.

It seems like this story is a fine example of kindness in action.  Pointing out a person's obvious faults is not likely to win them over.  Genuine concern for their welfare might.

[Richard Myers]

Amen!  Often reproof will be rejected when kindness may have won the heart or at least planted seed.

I am still wrestling with the question about not manifesting kindness at times. The example of Jesus turning over the tables is probably a good example as it shows there are times when God does not want "kindness" shown to a sinner. Jesus loved those whom He rebuked, but outward kindness was not what was revealed.

We are not Jesus, but we are to follow His example. Help me here. When we have attempted through kindness to resolve a very very important issue and the effort is either  rejected or ignored and people continue to be hurt, then is it appropriate to continue to manifest "kindness" in all ways and at all times?

Again, I am not saying that we would be unkind, but that we would not manifest the kindness that we are speaking of when we generally think of being kind. I am bothered especially when it is not appropriate to speak to another of private matters that impinge upon the issue at hand. This creates a very difficult situation in that others do not know of the matter and ought not know of it. You speak to the offending party, but may not share all of the information as to who is going to be hurt and why.

These are real world difficulties that bear directly on this week's lesson. When others will not enter into conversation, will not discuss the light given, and are intent on following their own ideas as to what God wants done, it seems there is little that can be done other than pray. But, then the decision has to be made as to how far do I go in participating in this difficulty. When the decision is made to cease participating, then comes the difficulty in what appears to be "coldness" which is certainly not "kindness". But, neither is it love to participate in what you know is wrong.

We all have been faced with these situations. So...share with me how you see it in the context of this week's lesson on kindness.

[Wally]

Another beautiful example of kindness is how Jesus treated Simon at the feast.  When Mary anointed the feet of Jesus, both Simon and Judas were offended.  Jesus was kind to both of them.  Judas was a hypocrite, expressing concern for the poor, while he stole from the money bag that held funds for the poor.  Jesus could have exposed him right then and there, but only issued a mild rebuke.  This put Judas over the edge and he immediately went and made plans to betray Jesus.  

Simon questioned whether or not Jesus was truly a prophet, since He seemed to be unaware of the character of the woman who was touching Him.  Simon was also hypocritical, since it was he who led Mary into sin.  Jesus cold have exposed him also.  But instead, He told him a parable illustrating his debt to Jesus, compared with Mary's debt.  Simon got the point, saw himself for what he really was (and recognized Jesus for who He was) and became a devoted disciple.

Kindness includes giving people the benefit of the doubt--even when we're privy to incriminating information.  Too often we treat people like lepers after they've been exposed as criminals of one kind or another.  But I don't find that to be the way that God dealt with sinners in the Bible.  Look how He dealt with David after the affair with Bathsheba.  In our day and age he would have been dethroned, imprisoned, and possibly executed.  Granted, it was a theocracy, and God was sovereign, but we can learn lessons from it.

What if Barnabas had not shown kindness to Saul (who was responsible for an unknown number of deaths)?  We may have been deprived of one of the greatest of the apostles.

The story of Harry Orchard is a fascinating one.  Condemned to life in prison for murdering the governor of Idaho, he was led to Christ and became a faithful SDA for the rest of his life.  What if no one had shown him kindness?

No one was ever won to Christ by a judgmental attitude or mean spiritedness.

[Richard Myers]

Amen, only the unmerited favor of God will win a soul! And, we are given opportunity to witness that love through kindness to those who do not deserve to be treated kindly. 

Have a blessed Sabbath!

[Richard Myers]

For our students and teachers that are preparing at the last minute, do not forget to bring out the perfection of character that comes when we give our hearts to Christ. Thursday's lesson. This is moral perfection and it is what gives glory to God. The "baby" Christian is perfect in the same manner as is the blade of corn. Perfect at each stage of development.

How is this seen in the Christian's life? At all stages we see the fruits of the Spirit. As long as we abide in Christ we manifest all of the fruits, not one is missing. If we have Jesus, we have His Spirit. If we have not His Spirit we are none of His. Romans 8.

May God bless our Sabbath Schools today around the world. May His Spirit impress hearts with His love that His fruits may be seen in His church.