Kindness
Key Takeaways
Definition of Biblical Kindness:
Kindness is God's costly love extended to the hostile through us.
Three Key Distinctions:
Kindness is not self-protective niceness
Kindness is not random; it's costly and relational
Kindness originates with God, not us
The Path to Kindness:
Let God diagnose you
Receive his kindness through the cross
Let the Holy Spirit flow through you
Study Questions
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John offers a definition of kindness as 'God's costly love extended to the hostile through us.' How does understanding yourself as once hostile toward God change the way you extend kindness to others who may be hostile toward you?
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In what ways have you confused niceness with kindness in your own life, and what would it look like to move from self-protective niceness to vulnerable, costly kindness?
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What gospel opportunities might you be missing by choosing to play nice rather than engaging with the real malice or brokenness in the people around you?
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How does recognizing that meanness 'works' and provides social rewards help you understand why our culture has become increasingly cruel, and what alternative does the gospel offer?
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How would your relationships change if you consistently asked yourself, 'How would I treat this person if I were Christ?' and 'How would I treat this person if they were Christ?'
Seeking God’s Face Devotional
How then do we keep the gospel front and center in this season of shadows known as Lent? The cross keeps our gospel focus clear. Lent is a season to journey with Jesus in his passion, to survey the cross, taking the measure of Christ’s love in his suffering and death.
This year, we’ll be using the devotional “Seeking God’s Face” for our personal daily discipleship. Also, please plan to join us for the upcoming Sunday Morning Class “Seeking His Face: A Lenten Exploration” starting March 8.
This Week’s Liturgy
Call to worship
Psalm 34:8
Leader: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
All: Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Confession of FAITH | the new city catechism question of the week
New City Catechism Q & A #8
Q: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
A: You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony.
You shall not covet.
Confession of sin
Most Merciful Father,
We have not loved you with our whole hearts,
and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We have managed our hostility rather than surrendering it to you.
We have chosen self-protection over love.
We have missed gospel opportunities,
because we preferred comfort to vulnerability.
We are truly sorry and humbly repent.
Have mercy on us according to your kindness,
which you have lavished on us in Jesus.
Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Psalm 103:3-4
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
This Week’s Playlist
Looking Ahead
Join us next week as we continue to explore Fruit of the Spirit.