Trail of Goodness (God’s Kindness Leads Us to Repentance)

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4 NIV

 Props: small pieces of wrapped candy

 As today’s power point says, God has been kind to us.  Let’s be kind to others.  God is the One who teaches us what it really means to be kind.  In fact, the Bible says that God’s kindness leads us toward repentance.  In other words, God is so kind to us that it causes us to want to change our ways and turn toward Him, following Him. 

 Let’s say that when my (son/daughter/husband/wife) comes home at the end of the day, I have something very special for him.  But I need him to go to a certain room to get his surprise.  So I think of a plan: I place his favorite candy on the floor, leading to the room.  (Begin placing candies on the floor in a trail).  When he comes home, he automatically follows the trail of candy, leading to his special surprise.  (Have a helper come in and follow the candy, picking them up as he goes and eventually leading to where you are). 

 I’m not trying to tell you that God is going to leave you a big trail of candy, leading straight to Heaven, but He leaves a trail of blessings leading you to Him.  He blessed you by creating you and bringing you into the world.  He blessed you by sending His only Son to take your punishment and die for your sins so that you wouldn’t have to die forever.  He blesses you by hearing and answering your prayers.  He blesses you by giving you the Bible, His Word, to help guide you through this life and into eternal life with Him forever.  He blessed you by preparing a place for you in Heaven, where you can live with Him for all eternity.

 God has been kind to us.  If there’s anyone here who has never accepted God’s kindness and love, we want to pray with you today.