Download a PDF copy of the February Family Faith Conversation

Pear-fect questions to jump into the fruit bowl! 

Let’s continue to explore the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23.)  These are the amazing, God-given traits that grow in us through the Holy Spirit. 

This month, we are going to learn more about kindness. It’s one in a melon!  

Bunch up for a grape question time with your family.

• Who is someone you know who is very kind? How do they show their kindness? 
• What is kindness? 
• When have you shown kindness to someone? 

• When is it difficult to be kind?  What holds you back from expressing kindness sometimes? 
• I wonder, what colour is kindness in your mind? What sound do you hear when you think of kindness? 
• Can someone learn to be kind? What would they need to know?  

Dolphins remind us of kindness.  Did you know that dolphins care for injured or sick dolphins in their pod? They all work together to ensure that one dolphin’s health and safety. Dolphins are incredibly intelligent creatures, too.  They even use “tools” like marine sponges to protect their noses from sharp rocks. They communicate with each other and even have names.  Enjoy our February Colouring Page with Daphne Dolphin who shares the message of our memory verse for this month… 

Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.. Ephesians 4:32 

Watch these videos to learn more about dolphins:

God’s Story 

Jump into the story! Jesus used special stories called “parables” to teach lessons to the people around him. These parables often used common objects or situations that people could relate to and understand.  In Luke 10:25-37 we find the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s about some men who pass by someone in need – hurt and helpless – and one man who chooses to be kind and caring towards this stranger. 

Let’s look deeper at what is going on in this story… 

As the story begins, it says that the person asking Jesus about how he can have eternal life was an expert in the law as well as seeking to test Jesus.  Why would someone want to test Jesus? What outcome is the expert hoping for?  

Jesus asks the expert what is written in the law, and the man answers “Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbour as yourself.” Jesus confirms this is the right answer, and that the man should do it. How do you love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind?  And what does it mean to love your neighbour as yourself? 

The expert then asks “Who is your neighbour?”  What is your answer to this question… who is your neighbour? 

Jesus tells the story about a man who is travelling and gets robbed and beaten.   

The first person to come upon this person is a priest. A priest back then is kind of like a pastor now, but with some differences. What qualities should someone have if they are going to be pointing people to God?  Why was it so bad that he passed by the man who needed help? 

The second person to come upon the hurt man was a Levite.  A Levite was someone who was a helper to the priests in the temple – they got things ready and were assistants to the priests – so they were in God’s house all the time.  Why do you think it was so bad that the Levite passed by the man in need? 

The third man to come along was a Samaritan.  Back then, the Samaritans and the Jewish people did not like each other at all.  Why do you think that Jesus specifically mentioned that the man was a Samaritan? Why is it a big deal that it was a Samaritan who took pity on the man?  Do you see kindness at work here? How? 

The Samaritan not only takes pity on the man, but also takes action. He bandages him and cares for him, then takes him to an inn where he can be cared for even more.  I wonder how pity or concern turns into action? Why do we sometimes stop with pity?  I wonder why we sometimes choose to act and sometimes don’t?  What helps you make that choice? 

The Samaritan also pays money for the beaten man’s care – about two days’ wages for a regular worker.  What does kindness look like when it costs something? Money, time, effort? Is it easier or more difficult?  

Jesus asks the expert who was the neighbour to the man who was hurt, and the expert said “the one who had mercy on him” (v.37) and Jesus tells him to “Go and do likewise”. I wonder how mercy and kindness work together?  Can you have one without the other?  Have you experienced mercy from someone else? Or shown mercy to someone? How are some ways that you can “do likewise”? 

Imagining Story 

Let’s imagine ourselves into the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Picture yourself on a sunny road to Jericho.  What do you see on the side of the road?  How does the sun feel? What do you hear?  

A man is suddenly attacked by the robbers and is left alone, beaten, very hurt and with nothing. I wonder what that man is thinking about? What feelings do you think he is having? 

The priest sees the beaten man on the road, and chooses to pass by. I wonder what the priest is thinking as he chooses to pass by.  Do you think he considers helping?  What excuses might be have in mind for not helping? 

The Levite also passes by.  I wonder what he is thinking as he passes.  Do you think he is thinking similarly to the priest, or might be thinking differently? 

When the Samaritan arrives on the scene, he takes pity on the man. Share what you think he might have thought or said.  It says that the man helped him onto his own donkey.  How heavy do you think that man was? What sounds and words might have been uttered?  

The Samaritan and the hurt man then went to an inn. What do you think that looked like? Do you think the innkeeper was glad to see them?  What do you think that conversation was like?   

I wonder how the hurt man felt when he laid his head on his bed and knew he would be cared for. What do you think his room looked like? How did the room smell?  How long do you think it would take for him to feel better? 

In the story, it doesn’t say what happened when the Samaritan returned to pay the extra expenses and check on the hurt man.  Let’s imagine it!  What do you think they would talk about and share on his return? What do you think the innkeeper would say? I wonder what would come next for the hurt man and the Samaritan. 

Make your own story! You could write it down, or create it in drawings. You could create it out of play dough or lego bricks.  Be creative! 

Story prompt:  

Daphne Dolphin, Jesus and I were playing on seashore together. It was a wonderful sunny day with blue skies and not a cloud in sight.  A breeze was tickling our cheeks and we could smell the salty sea air.   

We decided to swim over to a raft.  The water feels warm and refreshing, so lovely! 

As we reached the raft, we found Terry Turtle crying in the sun. He was on his back, and couldn’t get flipped over. 

“What happened?” Jesus asked, crouching down to help Terry to his feet. Jesus wiped his tears. 

“Some bullies flipped me over and took my sunglasses.  They thought it was funny! The worst part is, after they left, I saw two people swim right by and just leave me like this!  I saw them see me! I was so alone!” 

“We are here now,” said Jesus… 

Prayer time… the cherry on top! 

God thank you for being kind with me.  I praise you because… 

Thank you that your kindness is such a gift. Help me to share it by… 

Help me share your kindness with… 

I confess that sometimes I am unkind.  Help me to be more kind when… 

God, thank you that your kindness is seen in so many ways. Help me to see it… 

God, help me be a kind person by also being a person who forgives, shows grace and trusts.  Forgive me, and help me forgive… 

God, help me practice mercy. Please continue to show me your mercy…