HOW CAN I BECOME A KINDER PERSON?
50 Days of Love
Part 2 of 8
November 8-14, 2004

During the next 43 days I hope you will make an extra effort to love God and others. Last week we learned if I don't live a life of love nothing I do will matter. This week we’re learning "loving others makes me a kinder person." What do you need to do to fulfill God's second command? Take five minutes each morning and recite the memory verse five times. By the end of the week you'll have God's word memorized and planted within your heart.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK

Always treat others as you would like them to treat you.

Matthew 7:12

Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:30-37

MONDAY

Fellowship (Membership)

Your Objective: Understand your attitude toward others affects your relationship with God.

3 ATTITUDES TOWARD OTHERS

"Keep my distance"

There was a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side.

Luke 10:30-31 (GN)

"Curious but uninvolved"

In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on by on the other side.

Luke 10:32 (GN)

"Treat others how I want to be treated"

But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity.

Luke 10:33 (GN)

According to Luke 10:31

  • What would cause the priest to walk by Him?
  • What attitudes cause you to overlook the needs of others?

According to Luke 1:5–10

  • What should your attitude be toward others?
  • What can you do to change your attitude?

TUESDAY

START SEEING THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AROUND ME

When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him.

Luke 10:33b (Mes)

Look out for the good of others.

1 Corinthians 10:24 (NCV)

The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others ...harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds!

Galatians 6:8a (Mes)

According to Psalm 38:10-11

  • How do the attitudes of others affect the way you solve your problems?
  • How does it make you feel when your friends stand away from you or desert you when you experience trouble?

Fellowship (Membership) - God created you for relationship with Him and others. Your attitude affects your relationships with God and others. God wants you to have concern for the needs of people around you.

WEDNESDAY

Discipleship (Maturity)

Your Objective: Realize ministry to others is necessary for spiritual growth.

SYMPATHIZE WITH PEOPLE'S PAIN

When he saw him, his heart was filled with pity.

Luke 10:33 (GN)

Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

(God) comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials... So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:4 (LB)

Read Matthew 5:21-26

  • What is required to have an intimate relationship with God?
  • Think about a time when you were unwilling to follow God's leading. How does it make you feel to know you disobeyed God.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:15-17

  • What is the significance of having "the inward man" renewed daily?
  • Why does God allow you to go through afflictions and trials?

Discipleship (Maturity) - It's never too late to start growing. Your heavenly Father's goal is for you to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus Christ. Spiritual growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment.

THURSDAY

Service (Ministry)

Your objective: The development of Christ-like character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time and effort. Develop the habits needed to grow spiritually.

SEIZE THE MOMENT TO BE KIND

Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them.

Luke 10:34a (NLT)

Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.

Proverbs 3:27-28 (GN & Mes)

Always treat others as you would like them to treat you.

Matthew 7:12 (JB)

Read 1 Peter 4:10

  • What special ability has God give you to pass on to others?
  • God doesn't waste your abilities; He matches your calling and your capabilities to minister to others. In what ministry should you be involved?

Read James 1:22-25

  • What does God promise to do to those faithful in their ministry?
  • In what way can you see yourself passionately serving others and loving it?

FRIDAY

SPEND WHATEVER IT TAKES

Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, 'I'll pay the difference the next time I am here.'

Luke 10:34b-35 (NLT)

If you feed the hungry and take care of the needs of those who are troubled, then your light will shine in the dark. The Lord will always lead you and He'll satisfy your needs in dry lands... You'll be like a spring that never runs dry!

Isaiah 58:10-11 (NCV)

Your own soul is nourished when you are kind.

Proverbs 11:17 (NLT)

Read 2 Timothy 2:4 and Matthew 7:12

  • How should you treat the needs of your church family?
  • What causes you to miss occasions for serving? Consider sensitivity and spontaneity.

Service (Ministry) - Your call to salvation included your call to service, they are the same. Regardless of your job or career, you are called to full-time Christian service. A "non-serving Christian" is a contradiction in terms.

SATURDAY

Evangelism (Missions)

BE SENSITIVE TO OTHER'S NEEDS

Your Objective: Identify those people who you come-in-contact with at least every other day and name the number one struggle they're facing.

If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday: [11] The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:10-11 (NKJV)

The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Proverbs 11:17

Read Isaiah 58:10-11 and Proverbs 11:17

  • How are you affected by reaching out to others?
  • Why do you find it difficult to be sensitive to the needs of others?

SUNDAY

WHAT ARE YOU PLANTING?

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Galatians 6:8

  • What are you sowing?
  • What has God promised if you sow to the Spirit?

Evangelism (Missions) - God is at work in the world. This assignment is called your mission. Your mission is your service to unbelievers. Your mission gives your life meaning.