The Practice of Loving Kindness in a World of Violence - Class 1

1. THE PRACTICE OF LOVING KINDNESS IN A
WORLD OF VIOLENCE
August 23, 2015

2. WHAT IS SOMETHING KIND YOU HAVE DONE
THIS WEEK?

3. KINDNESS CONVERSATION: WHAT IS KINDNESS?
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
“At the end of life, we will be judged by love.”
- John of the Cross
“Deeds of kindness are equal in weight to
tall of the commandments.”
- - The Talmud
“Kindness is the highest form of wisdom.”
- Unknown

4. PRACTICING KINDNESS
“Be kind and compassionate to one another.”
- Ephesians 4:32
What gets in the way our practice of kindness
with one another?

5. TO PRACTICE KINDNESS IN A VIOLENT WORLD
TAKES COURAGE
Courage is a byproduct of encouragement.
When we encourage another person, we give
them a gift, the gift of courage.
Encouragement is like a spiritual angioplasty: fear
creates a blockage in the heart, but
encouragement allows the fear to pass, and be
healed by courage.
What are the challenges to a practice of kindness and
encouragement in the world?

6. TO BE KIND IN A VIOLENT WORLD DOES NOT
MEAN WE ARE TO BE OVERLY SENSITIVE
You might be too sensitive if…
1. You think helping always helps.
2. You have difficulty saying “no.”
3. You keep trying harder.
4. You allow your salvation to be dependent
upon the salvation of others.
What is the difference between kindness and
sensitivity?

7. PRACTICING KINDNESS DOES NOT MEAN
HAVING EVERYTHING TOGETHER.
A person who tries to keep all systems together
(for me: congregation, family, social, etc.) will
eventually break apart.
God breaks in to us through our brokenness.
What does a church that practices kindness
look like?

8. A PERSON WHO PRACTICES KINDNESS IN A
VIOLENT WORLD WILL BE CRITICIZED.
While painful, criticism does not need to be
negative. Think of criticism instead as
applause. Have you had any standing
ovations?