Jan30–Feb5: The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness

Teaching Points

1. Read Luke 6:27-38 and answer the following questions.

QUESTIONS:

• What response to evil does Christ tell us we should give in verses 27-30?
• What is the reason Christ tells us this according to verses 35 and 36?
• Compare these verses with Matthew 5:43-48. What are the similarities?
• What qualifies us to be children of our Father in Heaven?
• Why does Matthew 5:48 tell us to be perfect and Luke 6:36 tell us to be merciful? What is the connection between mercy and being perfect?
• In Luke 6:35, how is being kind connected to being merciful?

2. Read 2Samuel 9:1-13. How did David treat the son of Saul?

QUESTIONS:

• What motivated David to treat Mephibosheth with kindness?
• Was David obligated to do this for him?
• Summarize David’s act in your own words.
• How is the idea of mercy connected with kindness in this story?

OBSERVATION:

• We learned in the 2^nd lesson that being perfect has a connection with loving as God loves. Now we see that being perfect has a connection with being merciful.
• So we see that perfect love and mercy are qualifiers of God’s children.
• In David’s treatment of Mephibosheth, he demonstrated mercy, illustrating in a small degree how God treats us, who are nothing but undeserving humanity.
• Typically Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, would have been considered an enemy of David. Yet David treated him as a close friend. 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• What lessons can you learn from the story of David and Mephibosheth that will aid you in learning to apply loving your enemy and showing mercy to your enemy?
• Who do you consider your enemy, or someone you just don’t like; and what can you do to bless them and show them mercy?
• What attitude do you have toward people who have offended you—merciful or unmerciful?  

3. What was Jesus’ attitude toward His enemies?

ANSWER:

• “Father forgive them. . .” Luke 23:34

OBSERVATION:

• Jesus demonstrated love and forgiveness toward those who crucified Him.
• Jesus demonstrated how to love His enemies.

4. What is the definition of kindness?

ANSWER:

• Hebrew: H2617 piety, mercy, merciful, pity, loving-kindness 
• Greek: G5363 Love toward man, benevolence; G5360 fraternal affection, brotherly love
• Greek: G5544 usefulness, moral excellence, gentleness, good

OBSERVATION:

• Kindness is directly correlated to mercy, gentleness, goodness, moral excellence and love.

5. What is it about God that draws us to Him?

ANSWER:

• Romans 2:4 The goodness of God leads to repentance.

OBSERVATION:

• The word goodness here is the Greek word, G5544, for kindness.
• It is the kindness of God or the moral excellence of God that leads us to repentance.
• This kindness leads to recognition of the love of God for us and our great need so that we will “turn around,” or repent.
• God does not force us to repent, but rather, leads.

6. Paraphrase in your own words what Colossians 3:12-14 mean to you.

ANSWER:

• For this reason, cloth yourselves my dear Christian friends, with deep inward mercy, kindness, humbleness, gentleness and patience. Hold each other up, forgiving each other’s faults, as Christ did you. Love is the key element; it is the uniting tie. 
• Or simply “True self-less love”

OBSERVATION:

• “Therefore”—this is a reference to the proceeding verses and tells us why we need all these things.
• The reason to wear these things is because you have put off the old man and put on the new man—you are a new person. You need everything new!
• The old man’s characteristics are the opposite of the new man’s characteristics.
• Sometimes we try to wear old man and new man at the same time—or we say we are new but we act just like our old man—this does not work!
• Love is the motivating, uniting factor in all of the characteristics mentioned.
• All the other characteristics flow out of love.
  

SOP:

• Let the tenderness and mercy that Jesus has revealed in His own precious life be an example to us of the manner in which we should treat our fellow beings.... Many have fainted and become discouraged in the great struggle of life, whom one word of kindly cheer and courage would have strengthened to overcome.... We cannot tell how far reaching may be our tender words of kindness, our Christ-like efforts to lighten some burden. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the spirit of meekness, gentleness, and tender love.  {ML 235.2} 
• In all your transactions with your fellow men never forget that you are dealing with God's property. Be kind; be pitiful; be courteous. Respect God's purchased possession. Treat one another with tenderness and courtesy.  {ML 235.3} 

CONCLUSION:

• Kindness is closely related to gentleness and mercy.
• God calls us to the high standard of being merciful as He is merciful.
• The mercy and goodness of God is what leads us to repent (turn around) and surrender to Christ. Here, we put on the “new man” and Christ puts kindness, mercy, and genuine love in our hearts.
• The uniting factor is love, and from love flows kindness, gentleness, mercy and patience for others.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• Have you been demonstrating kindness, gentleness, and mercy today?
• Have you put off the old man and put on the new?
• What situations can you think of in which you have or are falling short in showing kindness?
• Are you willing to plead with God today to give you a heart full of kindness, gentleness, and mercy?

Jan23-29: The Fruit of the Spirit is Patience

Teaching Points

1. Read Exodus 34:6 and 2 Peter 3:8, 9 answering the following questions.

·      What does God proclaim Himself as?

·      What does patience mean?

·      How critical is it that God be patient with us?

·      How does God’s considering a thousand years as a day show His patience?

·      Why is God so patient?

·      How is God’s patience vital in answering the Great Controversy questions?

·      Why does God stand back and let some things happen? Is God lazy or is there another reason?

·      How has God been patient with you? Are you testing His patience?

2. Think about Ephesians 4:1, 2 and answer the following questions.

·      How are we to walk worthy of our calling?

·      Why is patience a part of walking worthy of our calling?

·      How do all these characteristics relate to each other?

·      Can you truly have one without the other?

·      How should we use these qualities in relating to others in the church?

·      How should we use these qualities in relating to our family?

·      Our family are the ones we should love the most; so shouldn’t we be the most patient and understanding with them?

·      If God treated you as you treated your family or church members, what would the result be?

3. Contemplate 2 Timothy 4:2 and the following questions.

·      Why do we need patience in preaching the gospel?

·      When you first heard the gospel, how long did it take you before you followed it?

·      Are you still learning aspects of the gospel?

·      If a person has heard the gospel 2 or 3 times, should you give up on them, thinking they will never respond?

·      How does this patience play out in how we present the Gospel?

·      Should we dump everything we know on a person all at once and expect them to accept it all? (Compare this with Mark 4:26-29.)

·      What lessons can we learn about planting the gospel seed from this parable?

·      How does the patience of a farmer show us how to be patient in presenting the Gospel?

·      Does all seed that you can plant grow fruit in the first year?

·      Some trees or plants don’t bear fruit until the second or third year—or longer—does that mean they are not growing?

4. Read Genesis 6:3 and 1 Peter 3:20 and answer the following.

·      Does God’s patience have its limits?

·      Notice that God says their hearts are only evil continually, but He still gives them 120 more years to repent with warning. How does this show a beautiful balance of mercy and justice?

·      Does God allow sin to go on forever?

·      Think about Sodom and Gomorrah, and the captivities of God’s people because of rebellion and sin. How do these stories show God’s patience and justice?

·      Even in giving His people punishments, did God leave them without pleading with them to repent?

·      How should this fact affect the way we deal with erring children or others?

·      Does justice give us an excuse to blow up or speak harshly, or scold or yell at others?

·      Should we not have a patient spirit as we administer the justice necessary for the offences?

·      What is the result if we carry patience to the extreme and fail to discipline our children or administer proper discipline in the church?

SOP:

·      Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns; and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. The only safe-guard against these dangers is to add to patience godliness,--to reverence God, His character and His law, and to keep His fear ever before the mind. By communion with God, through prayer and the reading of His Word, we should cultivate such a sense of the holiness of His character that we shall regard sin as He regards it.--AA 504

5. Read James 1:2-4 and answer the following questions.

·      How should we face trials?

·      Should we be discouraged when our whole day falls apart?

·      What are these trials teaching us?

·      In what ways can trials benefit our abiding in Christ experience?

·      Hopefully you want more patience by now! How can you get more patience?

·      What are some other words to describe trials?

·      Is it such a terrible thing to be tempted?

OBSERVATIONS:

·      Patience is a vital part of God’s character. That is why you and I are alive today!

·      Sometimes I have been tempted to think why isn’t God doing anything? But I have to remember He is doing things I can’t see and He has to allow some things in order to show the character of both sides in the Great Controversy. Life is not all about me!

·      Patience is vital in presenting the gospel. It is like a tiny seed that needs constant care and nurturing to grow into a fruitful plant.

·      Even in God’s judgments He was patient and merciful. He was constantly sending warnings and entreaties.

·      Justice is never an excuse to be hard rough or cruel to another human being made in God’s image. They may need correction, but it should never be administered in anger.

·      Trials can be a blessing if we face them with courage and overcome the temptations.

·      Each trial or temptation will strengthen our walk with God. This is a reason for joy!

SOP:

·      Be firm, be decided in carrying out Bible instruction, but be free from all passion. Bear in mind that when you become harsh and unreasonable before your little ones, you teach them to be the same. God requires you to educate your children, bringing into your discipline all the generalship of a wise teacher who is under the control of God. If the converting power of God is exercised in your home, you yourselves will be constant learners. You will represent the character of Christ, and your efforts in this direction will please God. Never neglect the work that should be done for the younger members of the Lord's family. You are, parents, the light of your home. Then let your light shine forth in pleasant words, in soothing tones of the voice. Take all the sting out of them by prayer to God for self-control. And angels will be in your home, for they will observe your light. The discipline you give your children will go forth in strong, clear currents from your correctly managed home to the world.  {CG 240.1} 

APPLICATIONS:

(Some application questions are included with the other questions.)

·      Think back over the past two days, have you been patient in everything?

·      Have you rejoiced in temptations knowing they will strengthen you—if you overcome them?

·      Are you committed to maintaining patience in your heart as you administer correction?

·      In what areas do you struggle the most in patience? What are some things that you can do to strengthen these weak points?

·      A person can never be patient while they are intemperate in what they eat or drink.  Is this a cause of your impatience? These things can really change how you feel and make the battle of patience almost impossible.

SUMMARY:

·      Patience is an attribute of God’s character. It is revealed over and over in the stories of Israel and other nations. Patience is a vital principle in sharing the gospel. Patience does not override justice or the need for correction. It does not excuse sin. We need patience, but how do we get it? God lovingly sends us trials! These trials, if joyfully faced and overcome, will develop patience in us. At the same time, trials will strengthen our dependence and relationship in Christ. So rejoice when tried!

Jan16-22: The fruit of the Spirit is Peace

Teaching Points

1. Read John 14:27 and consider the following questions.

·      What is the definition of peace?

o   Strong’s 1515: prosperity, one, quietness, rest, set at one again.

Note: It is very interesting that "peace" has the implication of unity: one or to set at one again.

·      Whose peace are we given?

·      Does the world try to give false peace?

·      How does guarding the thoughts and feelings relate to retaining this peace?

·      Our heart is our thoughts and feelings. Jesus says don't let your heart be troubled or afraid.

·      In what ways does Eph. 4:3 bring out the same ideas?

2. Read Romans 5:1

·      What does it mean to be justified by faith?

·      How does this justification bring us into peace with God?

·      What is our condition before we are justified?

·      Who is the only source of true peace? Compare with Isaiah 9:6

OBSERVATIONS:

·      To be justified means not only forgiven but also without sin. Our record of sin must be blotted in addition to our need of Christ’s strength to overcome today.

·      This is why justification is by faith. We believe we are justified because God promises, but in reality sins are not blotted out until the end of the judgment in heaven.

·      Our sins separate us from God. They alienate our hearts from God. When we are justified by faith we are brought into unity with God.

·      The true meaning of peace is oneness or unity when we have peace with God we become one with Him.

·      True peace comes from our relationship with Christ: the Prince of Peace.

SOP:

·      When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, that his transgression has been forgiven, his sin covered. He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law, and faith toward Christ, who died for man's justification. "Being justified by faith," he has "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1.  {AA 476.2} 

3. Meditate on Psalm 37:11, 37 and the following questions.

·      What is the description of those who have peace?

·      What does it mean to be meek?

·      How does meekness lead to peace?

·      What do these qualities of being meek, upright and perfect have in common?

·      Does this peace mean an absence of trials?

·      How much peace is this?

·      Can the world give us this kind of peace?

·      Compare meekness with Matthew 11:28-30 and look at the meaning of “meek.”

OBSERVATIONS:

·      Strong’s H6035 meek means: humble, gentle, lowly H6031 to abase self, to afflict self or chasten self.

·      Are we not to afflict our souls during the Day of Atonement in which we are living?

·      This meekness, self-abasement, or surrender leads to true peace and inheriting the earth made new.

·      There is a connection between surrender to Christ—taking His yoke—and meekness.

·      Love of self does not end in peace.

·      Strong’s H8535 Perfect means: complete, morally pious, gentle. This kind of person has peace.

SOP:

·      True happiness is found, not in self-indulgence and self-pleasing, but in learning of Christ. Those who trust to their own wisdom and follow their own way complain at every step. But those who take Christ at His word, and surrender the soul to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. The Lord says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee."  {ST, January 13, 1904 par. 10} 

4. Read Matt. 8:23-27 and make observational questions.

·      What can this story teach you about peace?

·      How does trusting Christ tie into having peace?

5. Compare Hebrews 12:14 and Romans 12:18 and make observational questions.

·      What does it mean to follow peace with all men?

·      Should we ever compromise truth for the sake of peace?

·      Did Jesus, our example, compromise true in order to have peace?

·      How does Romans 12:18 balance Hebrews 12:14?

·      What is the correlation between seeing God and following after peace and holiness?

6. Carefully consider Matthew 5:23, 24 and the following questions.

·      What should you do before you bring your gift to God?

·      What should you do if you remember that someone has something against you?

·      What basic principle is Jesus teaching here?

·      Why is it so important to make things right with others before coming to God?

·      Why should we go to them even though we have nothing against them?

·       If a church member stops coming to church because you did something they did not like, what should you do?

OBSERVATIONS:

·      Perfect trust in Christ leads to peace.

·      There is a connection between peace with man and holiness that helps qualify us to see our Lord.

·      Compromise never leads to true unity, which is the definition of peace.

·      In order to follow peace with all men we need to go to others who we, perhaps unknowingly, offended and make things right.

·      If they are upset at us for any cause we should go to them and make things right.

SUMMARY:

·      True peace comes from full surrender of self to Christ and acceptance of His righteousness and blood on my behalf—justification by faith.

·      The world cannot give this peace because the world focuses on self-gratification.

·      True Christians will reveal peace in their lives by calmness, gentleness, and thoughtfulness of others.

·      We can experience true inward peace even through the most trying circumstances if we are surrendered to Christ.

APPLICATION:

·      Do you find yourself constantly worrying, getting upset, frustrated, or stressed?

·      Ask the Lord to help you surrender and have true inner peace.

·      What choices can you make which will help make the promise of peace in Christ real for you?

·      Are you spending the necessary time with Jesus that you need in order to have constant inner peace?

·      Think about the principle in Hebrews 12:14. Do you relate to others in a peaceful way?

·      In what areas are you falling short?

·      What can you change in your relationship with Christ that can keep you from falling short in these areas?

·      What would your church be like if each member peacefully and humbly dealt with each other, especially in mistakes?

·      Are you a peacemaker?

·      Can you think of anyone who has something against you? Are you willing to go make that right?

PROPHETIC APPLICATION:

·      The world is looking for peace by unity in compromising truth. What happens when they cry peace and safety?  (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 8:15, 11)