Fruit of the Spirit: Part 5 - 'Kindness costs Nothing?'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Galatians chapter 5 verses 22-23 (NIV)

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.


Ephesians chapter 4, verse 32 (ESV)

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.



Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God

We say sorry for the times when we have been unkind, hard-hearted and unforgiving. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to come into a new season of kindness, that we might be tenderhearted towards those who have troubled us. Help us to show sacrificial love, Father, that we might forgive others as You have forgiven us, out of Your great and sacrificial love for us, which we do not deserve.

Thank You that You are so living, and forgiving and merciful to us. Thank You, dear Lord, for Your loving-kindness.

Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. Have you been unkind to anyone? How so? Have you said something unkind, or treated someone badly – been actively aggressive, or (much more common) passive aggressive?
2. Have you gossiped or moaned about someone, or frozen them out? Or has someone done something like that to you, and hurt you?
3. What would kindness look like, in relation to that situation? What would happen if you softened your heart, if you were tenderhearted towards that person?
4. Try the Lectio Divina using the passage from Ephesians, above. Here are the steps:

• In the silence, read the passage several times.
• Meditate on the word or phrase that stands out to you.
• Respond to God as He speaks to you.
• Still yourself and rest in the loving embrace of your Maker. Bask in His presence and receive from Him as He gives to you. You are not taking, rather, He is imparting to you.