Fruit of the Spirit Monthly Scripture Focus: Kindness
As part of our monthly character lessons, we are going through the fruits of the spirit one by one. This month’s character lesson focus is kindness.
Follow along with us as you invite and encourage your teens to allow God’s spirit to develop their character. The content of this monthly study is geared for middle and high school students, but feel free to adapt if you wish for younger students. Included are a variety of suggestions to use throughout the month to maintain a focus on demonstrating kindness.
At the end of this article, you’ll find the complete list of monthly character lessons based on fruits of the spirit, and will be able to click directly through to any additional lessons you wish to access.
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Fruit of the Spirit Passage
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Kindness in the Bible
Question: How many times does the word kind or kindness appear in the Bible?
Answer: 169 times in the ESV**
**statistics from logos.com. Each translation will have a slightly different count.
Big Picture: How the Bible Talks about Kindness
1 // God’s kindness has a purpose for you
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? Romans 2:4 (ESV)
2 // Kindness is expected of you
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (ESV)
3 // Kindness is life-giving to you
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)
What Does the Bible Say about Kindness?
Look at the following scriptures and ask these two questions.
Question #1: What do I learn about God and how He views kindness from this scripture?
Question #2: Is there any instruction for me in this scripture about how I should be kind?
Scriptures about Kindness
The Bible describes God as being kind toward us, but that kindness is sometimes paired with discipline or instruction. Kindness is not weakness. In 1 Corinthians we read that “love is kind” and in 1 John the Bible tells us that “God is love.” That means that at the very essence of his character, God is kind. Our kindness is an outflowing of action toward others as a result of God’s kindness to us.
Read the scriptures below that reference kindness or acting kindly toward someone and consider the questions asked above.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. Psalm 138:6 (NIV)
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. Psalm 145:17 (ESV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Proverbs 14:31 (NIV)
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 (ESV)
Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another…” Zechariah 7:9 (ESV)
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? Romans 2:4 (ESV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Examples of Kindness in Scripture
Look up one or more of the following passages to read a story displaying kindness in some way. Ask yourself these two questions.
- How do I see kindness in action here?
- What does God want to teach me about kindness from this passage?
Passage #1
Joshua 2 (Rahab)
Rahab shows kindness to the Israelite men, offering protection from harm at great risk to herself. She defied the will of the king because of her conviction that the God of the Israelites was worthy of her allegiance.
She asks for a promise of kindness from the Israelites, who indeed swear to treat her kindly in return.
Passage #2
2 Samuel 9 (Mephibosheth)
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, who was David’s dear friend. Although Mephibosheth rightly feared for his life, David’s reason for summoning him was not to eliminate any threat from the previous king’s family, but to show kindness to him for the sake of his friendship with Jonathan.
According to the cultural norms in place during this time, it would have been very typical for David to have Mephibosheth killed simply for being part of King Saul’s family. Yet David went out of his way, above and beyond, to show kindness to this person who would have been discarded by many.
Passage #3
Ruth 2 (Boaz and Ruth)
Boaz, the wealthy landowner, shows kindness to Ruth repeatedly in the way he speaks to her and the generosity he shows her. When asked why he would show such kindness to a foreigner, he responds to Ruth’s question by detailing the knowledge he has of her good character.
Examples in Scripture of a Heart Lacking in Kindness
Now, look up one or more of the following passages and think about these questions.
- Describe the lack of kindness in this story.
- What can we learn from the unkindness we read about in these passages?
1 Samuel 25 (Nabal)
Nabal was a wealthy man known for being surly and mean. When David requested food and water for himself and his men, Nabal refused. David is angry and begins preparing to attack Nabal in response.
Exodus 5:6-6:8 (Pharoah)
In this passage, Pharoah orders the Israelite slaves to continue meeting their quota of bricks while piling on the additional requirement of them having to gather the straw needed to make them. The people complain to Moses and Aaron, and ultimately God, who responds with a declaration of intent to deliver his people.
Matthew 12:1-13 (Pharisees)
One of many examples of unkindness displayed by the Pharisees, this passage deals with their belief that Jesus should not heal a man on the Sabbath day. They are looking for ways to accuse Jesus of breaking their laws and condemn him.
Reflection Questions
Now that you’ve read several Bible verses about kindness, seen examples of kindness in action and examples of unkindness, reflect on the following two questions.
- Would others describe me as a kind person?
- How can I express this fruit of the spirit—kindness—in a practical way in my life this month?
Audio/Video Content Related to Kindness
Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness (YouTube – 412teens.org)
The Fruit of the Spirit Children’s Talk – Kindness (TheBibleApplied)
True Kindness: Beyond Being Nice (The Daily Grace Podcast)
Music Related to Kindness
Add some of these to your regular music playlist this month. Listen while you study, clean your room, or take a walk.
Day by Day (YouTube – Reawaken Hymns)
Love Is Kind (YouTube – John Lucas)
Jesus, Strong and Kind (YouTube – CityAlight)
Lovingkindness (YouTube – KeithandKristyn Getty)
Kind (YouTube – Cory Asbury)
Prayer Related to Kindness
Your relationship with God is deepened by not only listening to His word, but communicating back to Him through prayer.
Following are prayers you can personalize and pray from your heart. Your words don’t have to be fancy. Simply thank God for His kindness to you and ask him to give you a deep and expansive kindness toward others.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the kindness you show in keeping your promises and providing hope to all who look to you. Remind me of your kindness when I see others in need, physically or emotionally, and help me respond with kind words and kind deeds to everyone I interact with.
(based on Psalm 145:13-17)
Jesus, thank you for the example you set of kindness to everyone you encountered while on this earth. Give me words that are good and helpful today. Show me opportunities to be an encouragement to others by the kind words they hear from me.
(based on Ephesians 4:29)
God, I ask humbly for you to help me be kind and tenderhearted to my family and friends today. Give me a forgiving spirit when someone is unkind or hurts me, remembering how much I am forgiven by you.
(based on Ephesians 4:32)
Key Bible Verses about Kindness
Choose one verse to memorize this month, either from the selections listed, or find another scripture that speaks to the attribute of kindness. Make sure it is a verse you have not already memorized!
Psalm 138:6
Psalm 145:17
Proverbs 12:25
Proverbs 14:31
Proverbs 21:21
Micah 6:8
Romans 2:4
1 Corinthians 13:4
Ephesians 4:2
Ephesians 4:32
Additional Reading on the Topic of Kindness
Choose Kindness: 3-Minute Devotions for Teen Girls by Kristin Weber
Radical Kindness by Candace Cameron Burre
One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional
Galatians 5:22-23
Read through the passage several times this month to help you commit it to memory. Just reading the verse repeatedly as you go through studying a different fruit of the spirit each month will help you to “hide God’s word in your heart.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Word Study
Moving through the fruit of the spirit in order they are listed in the passage, this is the progression throughout the school year. However, you could certainly choose to rearrange the topics if you chose to do so.
For example, you could explore the character trait of being loving in February to tie in with Valentine’s Day or study joy in December to correspond to Christmas activities. Each word stands alone and the resources do not build on one another, so you have freedom to “drag and drop” into whichever time period you wish.
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Study for Students
This isn’t a typical Bible study in the sense of having daily or weekly lessons. Instead, it’s intended to be used as a supplemental study that’s low-key and flexible.
The monthly focus on one specific fruit of the spirit gives plenty of opportunity for discussion, scripture study, and reflection.
Even if your kids are doing a regular Bible study (which I hope they are), you can add in a few scriptures, a video, have them listen to a piece of music or read a poem each month and consider whether they are exhibiting that fruit of the spirit.
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Fruit of the Spirit Study: Kindness (for Middle and High School Students)
