13 | Kindness and Goodness

Taste & See | Fall Message Series on the Fruit of the Spirit

How would you describe the culture around us? Selfish, angry, prideful, jealous, explicit, divisive, mean-spirited, and sexual impurity? These are all words Paul uses in Galatians 5 to describe what it means to live driven by the desires of our flesh. But what if you and I chose to interact with our world as people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Paul calls these words the "Fruit of the Spirit," characteristics produced when the Spirit of God is at work in a person's life. The Fruit of the Spirit is not just for us but that we would be people who produce love, joy, and peace so that others have a chance to "taste and see that the Lord is good."(Psalm 34)

Season 2 Episode 13 of Unschooled and Ordinary discusses the importance of the Fruit of the Spirit in the lives of believers.

Bible Reading Plan & Devos 

"Taste & See" Message Series

Find a House Church

Venture Church Original Podcasts

Venture Church Website

Scripture 

Primary Text: Romans 2:4; Romans 12:22 

Supplemental Text: Proverbs 11:17; Romans 2:4, Romans 12:17-21; Galatians 5:21-22; Galatians 6:9 

Observations & Applications 

1. Proverbs 11:17 says, “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.” What does this verse reveal about the impact of kindness on our own lives? 

2. Romans 2:4 says, “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” What does this teach us about the character of God and how we should approach others with kindness? 

3. Romans 12:17-21 instructs us not to repay evil for evil but to “overcome evil with good.” How does choosing goodness in difficult situations transform us and potentially the situation? 

4. Galatians 5:21-22 lists kindness and goodness as fruit of the Spirit. How does understanding these as part of the Spirit’s work in us change the way we live them out?

5. Practically, what does it look like to live out kindness and goodness daily? 

Prayer 

Father, help us to not grow weary in doing good - to not grow weary in living out the kindness and goodness that You have called us to. Amen. 

S.O.A.P. METHOD

Use this tool to study God’s Word 

SCRIPTURE 

Write which passage of scripture you are reading. 

OBSERVATION

What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands or instructions? 

APPLICATION 

How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 

PRAYER

Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.