Connect How can you demonstrate self-control on your frontlines this week?     

Warm-Up

1. What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
2. How important is kindness in our world? Does it have a different value in different settings?

Read Mark 6:30-34

3. How are the disciples feeling? Why does Jesus suggest going to a solitary place? 
4. How would you feel seeing a crowd rushing towards you, when you were tired and seeking solitude?
5. What is Jesus’ response to the crowd? What does Jesus feel and what does Jesus do?
6. Do you ever feel tempted to only focus kindness on yourself? How does Jesus show us kindness is also directed outward, towards others?
7. When are you more likely to ignore the needs of others? What might help you see the needs of others, and be moved like Jesus in compassion?
8. Have you ever thought of kindness being brave and daring? What would brave and daring kindness look like on your frontline?

Read Mark 6:34-44

9. What is the danger of being ‘sheep without a shepherd’? 
10. How does Jesus care for the people? How is it relevant for them, at that time and place?
11. Have you ever had someone do a really considerate act of kindness? How did it make you feel? How does Jesus really see our need and respond? How does the Spirit really see our need and respond?
12. Why do you think the disciples wanted to send the people away? 
13. Why might you be tempted not to notice people’s needs? Does it ever feel too overwhelming?
14. What does Jesus do with five loaves and two fish? What might Jesus do with the small acts of kindness we offer others?
15. What is the greatest act of kindness we have ever received? What did we do to earn it? 
16. How does Jesus show us kindness is costly?
17. Who should be the source of our kindness? How can you nurture your relationship with God, that you are reminded and delight in the costly grace and kindness that God has first given to us?

Apply Pray each day that the Spirit would open your eyes and heart to see the needs of those around, and help us respond in Christlike kindness.

On Your Front Line this Week

How can you pause to pray (even for just 1 minute), amidst the busyness of your day?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Book: “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit: Growing in Christ’s Likeness” by Chris Wright: https://bit.ly/3sE81la 
• Videos: “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit” by Chris Wright: https://us.langham.org/fruit/ 
• Book: “Friendship with God” by Mike McKinley: https://bit.ly/3RdCkcA 
• Sermons: “Fruit of the Spirit & the Character of Jesus” by Tim Keller: https://bit.ly/3r5alRY 
• Book (regarding patience): “Becoming Friends of Time” by John Swinton: https://bit.ly/45YskJ7 (or in the St Bart’s Library: https://bit.ly/3r5dyRo)
• Book (re patience): “Three Mile an Hour God” by Kosuke Koyama: https://bit.ly/48aYwdM 
• Book (re joy): “Surprised by Joy” by C S Lewis: https://bit.ly/44SKbzO (or in the St Bart’s Library: https://bit.ly/44LPCAq) 
• Book (re joy): “The Pleasures of Pessimism” by Natasha Moore: https://bit.ly/481x6a5

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