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Compassion

Compassion

 

1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s stuff, and seeing his brother in need, shuts up his heart of compassion from him, how does the love of live God in him?

 

We should be moved with compassion to help those in need.  God is full of compassion and his people for the most part are also full of compassion.   Christians are usually one of the first to respond with help for disasters, poverty and famine.  The closer to Jesus we are, the more filled with concern we become for others.    Also, much as we don’t like it, our own personal pain in life can also become a source of empathy for others.  It is my hope that this lesson inspires kids to begin to see the hurting people in their spheres of influence.  They should be reminded that not all pain is physical.   There is much emotional and mental pain in our world today and kind words can help so much.

 

What is compassion?

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance) Compassion:  To have the bowels yearn, to feel sympathy or pity, inward affection, tender mercy.

 

Compassion is love in action.

God loved humanity so much that he gave his only begotten Son.  Jesus was moved with compassion and he healed.  Jesus saw the people as scattered sheep.   He gathered them together and taught them God’s word.  Jesus gave money to the poor. (John 12:5-6, John 13:29)

 

Ways to show compassion.

Giving stuff to those in need.   These could be things like money, clothing, food, a place to live etc.  (meeting peoples’ physical needs)  Giving your time to visit.   Many people are lonely.  Giving your time to pray.  Some problems only God can solve.   It means so much to know that someone is praying for you.  Stepping out in faith and praying for the people while they are with you.

 

The best motivation to do good, is compassion.

When you do something to help, just because you love people, your motives are pure.  Never give grudgingly or out of necessity.   God loves a cheerful giver.  Never give to impress others.   God is not impressed.  Never give out of guilt.   There is no joy in it then.

 

Who needs compassion?

  1. The Poor. “The poor will always be among us,” Jesus said.  
  2. The fatherless.

3.       The Widows

  1. The Sick
  2. The Prisoners
  3. The broken-hearted and persecuted. Some kids get picked on a lot by bullies.  If you are a popular kid, you could show true compassion and befriend kids who don’t have friends.

 

We are called to be salt and light in the world.

Pure religion (true faith) takes care of people in need.In Bible days widows and orphans were the most needy people.  (James 1:27)  Ezekial 16:49   One of the great sins of Sodom was that they did not take care of the poor people.  (Remind the kids of what happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.)  If you really know God you will take care of the poor.  Jeremiah 22:16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy and so all went well.  Is that not what it means to know me? declares the Lord.  (NIV)  1 John 3:17-18  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  The Good Samaritan was more godly than the religious people of his day because he took care of a needy person.   The religious people just passed by and left him there.  Sometimes people even get too busy doing church stuff that they pass by needy and lonely people who live near them.

 

Scriptures to Study:  Zechariah 7:10, John 12:8, Deuteronomy 15:10-11,

Luke 3:11, Matthew 25:31-46