Jesus Showed Sympathy – Discussion starters
- Sympathy. In the US we often see a big display of “sympathy” cards for sale among all the other greeting cards. If you’ve lost a friend or relative lately and have searched through the available cards, how hard was it to find one with just the right words? Or what about finding the right message for a dear friend who has lost a family member? How hard is it to know what to say to a person at church suffering from a serious illness? Was it easy for Jesus to express sympathy? Why or why not?
- Hearing the Groans. If God pays attention to each creature of the sea and knows the number of hairs on our heads, does He hear our every groan? Have you ever stood under a starry sky and felt lost in insignificance? How did God show his compassion toward His people when they felt broken and fallen from grace? God doesn’t feel our physical pain–does He? Or does He suffer with us no matter what happens? Would you like to partake of God’s ability to sense our sorrows? Are there groans going up towards heaven in your church? your neighborhood? Is there anything you can do about them?
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- Our Sympathetic Savior. Jesus saw the sick and was moved with compassion. What is the difference between “sympathy” and “compassion?” How is “empathy” different in meaning from “sympathy”? How do you respond when a fellow church member, relative, or neighbor experiences emotional agony due to a sad experience? Is it enough to mention that person in prayer? What other means can you use to express your sorrow and sympathy for the sufferings of people you know–even if they aren’t close friends?
- Walking in their Shoes. How do we put compassion to work in reaching out to others burdened by some calamity? Do you try to follow the example of the good Samaritan when you see someone in need of sympathy? What have you done to be sure you didn’t neglect such opportunities? Is there room in the narrative of the prodigal son for a little sympathy for the son’s reckless behavior in squandering the family riches? Why was the father so eager to welcome his returning son? And for the other son to reject him?
- Jesus Wept. Do you agree that the shortest verse in Scripture conveys the deepest thoughts of our Savior toward His children? Can you see in your imagination our compassionate Savior with tears running down His face? Was it the death of Lazarus that affected Him so deeply? Ellen White, tells us that Jesus wept because He was burdened by the “woes of the sinful race.” How is that everlasting love expressed to you and me as we swelter in the heat of selfish sin?
- Another Kind of Comforter. Sometimes we tend to assign heavenly comfort to the Holy Spirit, the great Comforter. This lesson points out that all of us in the family of God should strive to learn how to comfort others. Our lesson this week closes with a summary of how we can master the art of comforting others. Read them, study them, apply them, and join the great Comforting Movement!
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I remember when growing up as a youngster of being reminded by my mother to always wash behind my ears. I might reason that my ears don't need washing because I can't see behind them. My perception of my mothers wisdom grew as As I became older.
Sometimes our reasoning needs adjusting as the need arises. I wash behind my ears now because of what I know. We learn as the Master teaches because His words are what we benefit from the most.