MAY 2012 - LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER SERIES KEY INGREDIENT #2 - KINDNESS (DRAFT VER 5.2012.

1) WARM-UP: What is a bully? Has someone bullied you before? How did you react? (Whats the signicance of the question? -- Sometimes, we can bully our spouses by our actions, words or the way we relate to each other.) DEFINITION: Tolerance towards others, bountiful; it is courteous and obliging. Ready to show favor and to do good; Considerate. MAIN TEXT: 1 John 4:20-21 (ESV) If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. COMMENTARY: The real test of our love for God is how we treat the people right in front of us -- our family members and fellow believers. [extracted from the Life Application Study Bible] In our marriages, how are we expected to treat our spouses? When we say we love God, it should be evident in our love for our spouses.

What does the bible say about Kindness: 1. Kindness is about giving encouragement Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benet those who listen. Watch the way you talk to each other. Say what only helps. Each word is a gift. 2. Kindness is about seeking the best in each other 1Thessalonians 5:15 (NASB) See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Be careful that when you get on each others nerves you dont snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. 3. Kindness is about forgiving Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be gentle with one another. Be sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

OUR RESPONSE: Love and give without expecting a return... Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Remain passionately in love with each other... 1Peter 4:8 (NASB) Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. TALK TIME: Husband and Wife As you understand what Kindness is all about, how then will you apply this in your Marriage? What now will you do if there were unkind words or actions that you did in the past towards your spouse? Discuss and make new commitments at this time.

VICTORY ALABANG THE MARRIAGE JOURNEY