Mission Briefing
Be Kind – Just Like God Was Kind to You!
What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you? Now here is an even bigger question: what is the kindest thing God has ever done for you? Paul tells us that the answer to the second question should inspire us to answer the first one – every single day, with every single person we meet. This mission explores Ephesians 4:32.
What Does Ephesians 4:32 Mean?
Paul gives us three commands in this verse: be kind, be tenderhearted, and forgive. “Tenderhearted” means having a soft heart that feels for others – not a hard or cold one that does not care. And all of it is powered by one big reason: God in Christ forgave you. When you remember how much you have been forgiven, it becomes much easier to forgive others. Kindness is not just being nice – it is passing on what God gave you.
Hero Challenge
Think of someone who has been hard to be kind to lately – maybe someone who annoyed you, hurt your feelings, or just gets on your nerves. Do one intentional act of kindness toward them this week. It does not have to be big. Just let God’s kindness to you overflow into kindness toward them.
Did You Know?
Paul wrote Ephesians 4 as a practical guide to how faith-filled people should live together. The whole chapter is about getting rid of things like anger and bitterness and replacing them with kindness and forgiveness. Paul knew that a community of truly kind and forgiving people would be so different from the world around them that it would point others straight toward God.
Ages 4-6: Little Hero Question
Can you name three things this verse tells us to be toward one another?
Ages 7-9: Growing Hero Question
Why do you think Paul links being kind and forgiving others to what God did for us? How does one help the other?
Ages 10-13: Champion Question
Is there someone in your life you have been holding a grudge against? How does remembering God’s forgiveness of you make it possible – not just easier, but actually possible – to forgive that person?
♥ Mission Prayer
God, thank You for Your incredible kindness and forgiveness toward me. Help me to have a tender heart toward others and to be quick to show kindness and forgiveness, just like You showed to me. Amen.
