Welcome to Week 6 of the Family Fruit Challenge! This week we are learning about KINDNESS.

Below you will find a short devotional to read with your kids, a link to download Bible memory cards, and links to fun songs and activities that will help you teach your child about the Fruit of the Spirit.

(If you happened to stumble upon this blog post and you haven’t been part of the Family Fruit Challenge, you can sign up HERE to start with Week 1 and get all 10 lessons delivered straight to your inbox).

Our guest blogger today is Bonni Greiner. Learn more about Bonni at the end of this post!

A DEVOTION ABOUT KINDNESS

By Bonni Greiner

My husband and I and our eight young children were invited to a mountain cabin for the weekend. We were shocked at the steep gravel driveway leading to the cabin. We weren’t quite prepared. In fact our car could not make the grade. We proceeded to climb the very steep mountain carrying some basic supplies and clothing that we would need.

After unpacking and enjoying a quick snack, we decided to hike farther up to the top of the mountain. The path was very rocky and steep and the hike took us longer than we expected. After about 30 minutes, we looked towards the top of the mountain and saw a group of 4 to 6 adults huddled around something. They proceeded to continue walking and we never saw them again.

But, we were shocked when we arrived at the spot where they had been huddling. 

There was a young boy, we guessed to be around 4-5 years old, lying on the ground, in pain, next to a bicycle that was bent and twisted. He had obviously had some type of accident.

The little boy was not able to answer our questions, there was no cell phone service, and no cabins or people anywhere.

My husband carefully picked up the child and we proceeded to walk down the mountain, slowly and carefully to our car parked on a dirt road at the bottom of the mountain. At the end of the 60 minute walk down the mountain, we all climbed into our car and proceeded to the closest highway, to call the police and find a hospital. 

Within the next hour the police met us at the closest hospital where the boy was admitted for observation and some x-rays. We gave the hospital our contact information and we left the boy in very good hands. 

On the car ride back to our cabin, we had some interesting conversations with the children. Why hadn’t that first group of adults done something to help that poor child? Suppose we hadn’t been walking on that same path? What would’ve happened to that sweet boy? What would Jesus want us to do?

We all learned a very important lesson that day. We learned that being kind is always the right thing. Jesus always wants us to do for others what we would want them to do for us. 

That day, we became a family that looked for opportunities to be kind to others.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to be kind to others, even when I don’t feel like it. Help me to be unselfish and put the needs of others before my own. Give me the strength to do the right thing.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT KINDNESS

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE BIBLE MEMORY CARDS ABOUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Luke 6:27-28, 31 (NLT)

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you…. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

I Corinthians 13:4-5 (NLT)

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Titus 3:4-6 (NLT)

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Romans 2:4 (NLT)

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE BIBLE MEMORY CARDS ABOUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

SONGS & ACTIVITIES ABOUT KINDNESS

• 17 Activities for kids to practice kindness and compassion
• Book by Bonni Greiner – Godly Character Traits
• Elevate Kids – Give a Little Kindness
• Kindness by the Juicebox Jukebox
• Thy Lovingkindness is Better than Life
• Kindness – Chris Tomlin
• Lovingkindness – Matt Redman

DOWNLOAD FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT PICTURE CARDS

Download a set of 9 picture cards, one for each Fruit of the Spirit. There are two cards on each 8.5×11 sheet of paper. Display them in your home to help remind your kids of the Fruit of the Week!

WHAT’S NEXT?

If you would like to start with Week 1 and receive all 10 Family Fruit Challenge Lessons delivered to your inbox each week, you can sign up HERE.

MEET OUR GUEST BLOGGER – BONNI GREINER

Bonni is an author, blogger, inspirational speaker, a mom of 8 and a grandmother of 10.  She has spoken for Moms groups for over 20 years, and she is the author of several books including Recapturing the Joy of Motherhood, and There’s An Easier Way: 21 Ways to Lovingly Raise Your Children Without Regrets. Bonni is passionate about sharing her wealth of experiences and encouraging young moms on the journey of parenthood. You can find Bonni at her blog, MombyExample.com.