Elementary Level, Block 9—Jesus
Week 86
Jesus—Showing Compassion
Point to Emphasize: We can be those who care for others.
Reference Reading: Matthew 15:32-38
Memory Verse: Be full of compassion, even as your Father also is full of compassion. (Luke 6:36)
Story Sample
One time as a child, I saw a baby bird that had fallen from a nest. A bunch of us children gathered around and looked at the bird, wondering what to do. We felt so sorry that the bird had fallen from its nest. We couldn’t return that baby bird because the nest was too high in the tree, and we surely could not find that mama bird and tell her to come and get her baby. We all felt so sorry about the baby bird. [Storyteller, include your own story about showing compassion.]
I am sure that at some time, as a child, you have felt the same way when you’ve seen something. Maybe you have felt this way when you watched your friend have a hard time tying their shoes. Maybe you felt this way when you saw someone was afraid to jump 5 steps down the stairs while another child did so easily. Or maybe you felt this way when you heard someone stutter when trying to say certain words. That feeling is a kind understanding and concern for others when they are sad, suffering, or having trouble. This is a good feeling to have when we see someone who is sad or having trouble. It is terrible when someone sees these kinds of things and makes fun instead of showing care.
I want you to know that Jesus always had such a kind understanding and concern for others. So many times He did something to help someone out, because He felt this way for them. Some people think Jesus only went around doing miracles, but really He traveled from place to place and met people who needed care. Instead of turning away from them or mocking them as others might have done, Jesus cared for them.
When Jesus was with people, He always saw their need and took care of it. If they were hungry, He fed them; if they were sick, He healed them. One time a crowd of 4,000 people had been there with Him for three days, listening to Him. He told His disciples that He was moved with compassion for the crowd because now they had nothing to eat. Jesus was not willing to send them home hungry, because He feared they might faint on the way. Jesus had tender care and kind concern for this crowd, so He fed them. With a few loaves of bread and a few small fish, He fed them all.
He helped them because He had compassion for them. Jesus shows us it’s not hard to care for others with kindness. When we see someone on the playground who is sad because they fell and skinned their knee, or someone feeling bad because they forgot their lunch, we can be the ones who go and help them. I think if we all were like this, we would enjoy being together more.
It really isn’t hard to care for others with kindness. We can easily consider others and show them our care by being friendly to them.