Why Kindness Can Change Your Whole Classroom

Hey, carpool crew, whether you're walking to school with your favorite hoodie, wrapping up your homeschool at the kitchen table, or heading to practice later. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. Let me throw out a quick question to you. What makes a classroom awesome? Is it cool posters on the wall? Is it a fun teacher that plays pranks on other teachers? I had that when I was growing up. It was great. Is it fun games your teacher sneaks in during the lesson? Maybe a secret snack drawer that you swear is hidden in the back cabinet? Well, yeah, all that stuff is great, but here's something even more powerful, something that can change the whole vibe of a classroom. It's kindness. And here's the wild part. Kindness doesn't just magically appear. It starts with you. You'll see in today's verse, Ephesians chapter four, verse 32. Here's what it says. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another. Okay? And this is important, because here's just a quick translation for you. Be kind. Show compassion. Forgive people, not just when they're nice to you, not when you feel like it. Always. See, the apostle Paul wrote this to a group of Christians in a city called Ephesus. These people wanted to follow Jesus, but big shock, they sometimes argued, sometimes they annoyed each other. They got their feelings hurt all the time. Paul basically told them, if you are gonna say you follow Jesus, act like it. Be kind, forgive, show compassion. And that's not just solid advice for adults in ancient Ephesus as they're starting the church there. It actually works for you, for your school, your classroom, your team, your group chat. Anywhere you are, you can be kind. You know, if Jesus walked into your school with you, I think he'd say something like, find the kid who's sitting alone and make them feel like they belong. Use your words to build people up, not roast them just to get a cheap laugh. When someone messes up, forgive them like I forgive you. Because being kind isn't just about being polite. It's the heart of Jesus showing up in the way you act. So how do you actually do this day to day? Well, here's a couple ideas. Talk right. Even if other people are sarcastic or rude, they're trying to be clever, they're trying to maybe get under your skin, or they're trying to make a joke at someone else's expense. You know what that feels like? Don't join in. Use words that don't tear people down. Be the guy who includes people. Sit with the new kid. Start a conversation with the people who you never really talk to. Give a high five or a fist bump to the kid who looks bummed. Also, don't hold on to grudges. If someone cuts you in line or bumps you in the hallway or says something they probably shouldn't have, don't carry it all day. Don't look for ways to get even. Let it go and move on. And here's the truth. Your kindness might be the best thing that happens to someone all day, and you might never even know it. That's the best part of kindness. God wants you to help him. Let his love, the love that you carry with you, he wants you to help him let that spill over into every classroom, every hallway, every lunch table. Kindness won't always get you attention. It won't win you an award. It won't always be cool. But it will always matter. So today, choose kindness even if no one else does, especially if no one else does. And don't forget, no matter where you are, no matter how you're listening, God loves you. Parents, if you love today's podcast, share it with the kids' pastor at your church or some of the kids' volunteers. They may love to share it with the people at your church too. And before you go, answer this question together. What's one thing you can do today that shows Jesus' love to others? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.