Sabbath School Commentary: 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:

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:

OBSERVATION:

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:

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?

Sabbath School Commentary