Introductory Thoughts
Our previous studies revealed that the word kind is connected to a term suggesting family relationships. Therefore, today’s passage associating kindly with brotherly love makes perfect sense. The book of Romans instructs believers to be “kindly affectioned one to another.” By being kindly affectioned, believers will naturally exhibit “brotherly love” toward each other. The Bible reveals God as the Christian’s Father. This relationship indicates that each believer is related as a part of the same family, the family of God. How should family members treat other family members? The context of today’s passage reveals that believers should prefer others before themselves (Romans 12:10), distribute to the necessities of other saints (Romans 12:13), and give themselves to hospitality (Romans 12:13). In other words, believers should treat other believers as members of one’s family. As many Christians soon find out, the relationships enjoyed between fellow believers will frequently be closer than those enjoyed with blood relatives.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Ask dad or mom to read Galatians 6:10 to you and explain what it means. Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another (John 13:34). Are you treating your church friends right?
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(For everyone): Whom do you generally put first: yourself or others? When you fail to put others first, why do you think you fail? Whom should you prefer? What should you do if you are wrong in this matter?
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Do you find it difficult to help others financially? Is it because you are unwilling or unable? Do you enjoy helping others grow spiritually? If not, why?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give you affection for the people of God.
- Ask God to soften your heart to the needs of others.
Song
BRETHREN, WE HAVE MET TO WORSHIP
