Weekly challenge to focus on and practice LOVE through kindness. 

Sunday – God’s Kindness toward us

Ephesians 2:1-10   As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Challenge: Paul states that when we were by nature deserving of wrath, God showed his great love for us expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  How have you seen God’s kindness toward you lately? Write a note to God thanking him for his loving kindness and mercy. 

Monday – Our response to God’s Kindness

Romans 2: 2-4  ² Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. ³ So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? ⁴ Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Challenge: How have you rejected or shown contempt for God’s kindness?  As Paul reminds the Romans, God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance. How does God’s kindness lead you to repentance?  

Tuesday – Our Kindness toward family

Colossians 3:12  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Challenge: It is easy to take for granted those that we live with and neglect to show them kindness.  Paul encourages the Colossians to clothe themselves with kindness.  They are to wear kindness all the time.  Who have you found difficult to show kindness in your family?  Perform one act of kindness for that person.  Write down what you did and how it went.  Look for more ways to perform acts of kindness. 

Wednesday – Our Kindness toward friends

Proverbs 12:25  Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Challenge:  A true friend will show you kindness when you are down.  Look for a way to cheer up a friend.  Write down what you did and how it went. 

Thursday – Our Kindness toward our neighbor

Ephesians 4:32   Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Challenge: God was compassionate toward us forgiving us.  Pay it forward by being kind and compassionate to someone else.  Practice an act of kindness for your neighbor.  Write down what you did and how it went.

Friday – Our Kindness toward our enemies

1 Corinthians 4:12-13  ¹² We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

Challenge:  Paul tells the Corinthians that following Jesus makes us a target to be mistreated.  When mistreated we are to act kindly rather than react in the normal human manner.  Find someone that it seems unnatural to show kindness and perform an act of kindness.  Write down what you did and how it went. 

Saturday – Our Kindness toward the lost

2 Timothy 2:24-26  ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Challenge: Paul instructs Timothy as the Lord’s servant that he must be kind to everyone, able to teach and not resentful.  It is difficult to not be resentful and kind if we are not accepted.  Write down the name of someone that you want to influence for Christ.  Pray to God that you will be accepted.  Practice an act of kindness toward them. Write down what you did and how it went.