This lesson is a part of my Media2 Message Bundle where I take what is going on in the world and bring a biblical context to to it.
Focus: Helping students respond, compassionately, to the needs of others.
Opening: Lonely Authors
Video Clips: Author One or Author Two (both are under a minute)
Both of these authors were found sitting alone trying to sell their books and no one was engaging with them. Choose a video and ask these questions.
Transition
What is it about this video, if anything, do you connect with?
What would be a modern version of this you might see every day last school? How do you respond.
The women who shot one of the videos said, “My heart is breaking every time someone passes him” This is compassion. When your heart breaks. What breaks your heart?
Opening Questions
When have you seen an act of compassion that really stood out to you? What made it powerful?
How would you define compassion in your own words? How is it different from just feeling sorry for someone?
Bible Study/Discussion (What breaks the heart of Jesus?)
Matthew 9:36 – Why do you think Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the crowds? What does it mean that they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”? Do you know people who are harassed and helpless? How do you respond to them?
Matthew 14:14 – Jesus healed the sick because of His compassion. What are ways we can “heal” or help people around us when we feel compassion for them?
Matthew 15:32 – Jesus was concerned that the people would go hungry. What are some modern-day needs that move you to compassion?
What do these passages reveal about Jesus’ heart for people? How does that challenge you in your own life?
Note: For backstory on the greek word for compassion, splagchnizomaimai, click here
Application Questions
Can you think of a time when you felt compassion for someone but didn’t act on it? What held you back?
What are some practical ways we can act on our compassion instead of ignoring it?
Who in your life needs compassion right now? How can you step in to help them this week?
Jesus’ compassion led Him to take action. How can we, as a group, put compassion into practice this month?
Closing
We see Jesus: See, Feel and Act.
Jesus sees the lost and confused and becomes their Shepherd.
Jesus sees the sick, he feels and he heals them.
Jesus sees people hungry, he feeds them.
How many people do you see, every day at school, who are
Lost without a clue?
Sick (maybe not physically but emotionally or spiritually)?
Hungry (maybe even physically) for more purpose?
Compassion is not optional for those who follow Jesus.
Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12, James 5:11 and I Peter 3:8
Close in prayer.
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