When you read the paper, visit social media sites, or watch the news, what is your opinion of the way people treat one another today? Would you say it is harder to extend kindness today than it has been in the past? Why or why not. These are some of the questions that will be discussed in the session this week.
As you lead your group to explore 2 Samuel 9:1-13, lead your group to observe how David expressed kindness and how Mephibosheth responded to kindness. Guide them to determine what they can do to turn around so much of the hate that permeates our culture today.
Words to learn to pronounce!
- Ziba (ZIGH buh) - http://wsb.to/&BwmsJvg
- Lo-debar (loh-DEE bahr) - http://wsb.to/&yffVupJ
- Machir (MAY kihr) - http://wsb.to/&9zvvdfE
- Ammiel (AM ih el) - http://wsb.to/&ZU6uf06
- Mephibosheth (meh FIB oh sheth) - http://wsb.to/&pO7IqkL
Questions
- What did David have to overcome in order to show kindness to Saul’s family? What do people today have to overcome in order to show kindness to others, especially those who might be perceived as “enemies,” adversaries, or just people we don’t agree with?
- Imagine you are Mephibosheth. You remember everything that has taken place since you were five years old. What would be your opinion of David? What kind of attitude would you have?
- Do you think an adversary demonstrating kindness in this way would prompt people today to describe themselves as “dead dogs”?
- If this were the scenario today in our society, how would people respond to someone offering this type of kindness? Would they mock it? Would they return it? Would they continue to fight or protest? Would they continue to demonstrate hate toward a person?
- If you were Mephibosheth. How would you respond to David?
- Is it easier to be kind to someone who once might have been an adversary or to receive kindness from someone who was your adversary?
- What can we do to become practitioners of kindness instead of propagators of hate?
- How hard is it to be practitioners of kindness without compromising what you believe?
- Why is it so important for believers to be practitioners of kindness?
- How can we demonstrate kindness in ways that help people know it is because of our faith in Jesus Christ?
- “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28, CSB
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. – Romans 12:14, CSB
- If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. – Proverbs 25:21-22, CSB
- Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. – 1 Peter 3:13-17, CSB
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