Practicing Empathy -The Way of Jesus: Compassion in Action (Sean) - Week 2
- Sean Stanfield
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
The Way of Jesus: Compassion in Action
Rev. Sean Stanfield
Matthew 9:35-38
35 Jesus traveled among all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, announcing the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers. 38 Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.”
Use some of these questions for your discussion:
1. What does this passage say about the kind of ministry Jesus was doing?
2. Why is it significant that Jesus didn’t stay distant from people’s pain?
3. What does it mean that Jesus had compassion?
4. How is true compassion different from sentimentality?
5. Have you ever mistaken feelings of pity for genuine empathy? What was the result?Who in your life needs to be truly seen this week?
6. Where is God inviting you to enter into someone’s pain?
7. How can you turn your empathy into action?
8. Why do you think Jesus followed His expression of compassion with a call to prayer and labor?
9. What does the metaphor of a “harvest” teach us about people’s spiritual condition?
10. How can empathy become a driving force behind our obedience and service?
11. Who do I find it hard to empathize with? Why?
12. What is one way I can see someone more clearly this week?
13. What might I need to sacrifice to show real compassion?
14. How does Jesus’ example challenge or inspire the way I interact with others?
Comments