Day 1
Faith Fact
I can show compassion.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
What is compassion?
Luke 7:11–13
Imagine being part of the crowd following Jesus this day. Seeing a funeral procession would have been sad. This funeral was life-changing for the mother. Not only was she a widow, which means that her husband had died, but now her only son had died. During Bible times, it was the men who provided for their family. For this widow, it would have been very hard for her to pay for food and other needs on top of the pain of losing her son. This is where Jesus stepped in. The Bible says that His heart overflowed with compassion for her!
Compassion means to have care or concern for someone. Compassion can feel like a tug on your heart when you see someone who is sad or hurting. Compassion makes you want to help them. When Jesus saw this woman who was hurting, He had compassion for her and wanted to comfort her. There are times when we may find people who are hurting and need help. Jesus wants our heart to be filled with compassion for others and for us to reach out to people in need just like He did with the widow.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for the way that You love people. Help my heart to overflow with compassion like Yours does when I find others around me who are hurting and need help. Amen.
I can show compassion.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
What is compassion?
Luke 7:11–13
Imagine being part of the crowd following Jesus this day. Seeing a funeral procession would have been sad. This funeral was life-changing for the mother. Not only was she a widow, which means that her husband had died, but now her only son had died. During Bible times, it was the men who provided for their family. For this widow, it would have been very hard for her to pay for food and other needs on top of the pain of losing her son. This is where Jesus stepped in. The Bible says that His heart overflowed with compassion for her!
Compassion means to have care or concern for someone. Compassion can feel like a tug on your heart when you see someone who is sad or hurting. Compassion makes you want to help them. When Jesus saw this woman who was hurting, He had compassion for her and wanted to comfort her. There are times when we may find people who are hurting and need help. Jesus wants our heart to be filled with compassion for others and for us to reach out to people in need just like He did with the widow.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What was happening when Jesus went to the village?
Answer 1. A funeral (Luke 7:12) - Question 2. When Jesus saw the woman, how did He feel?
Answer 2. “His heart overflowed with compassion.” (Luke 7:13) - Question 3. How would you have felt that day if you saw the funeral procession?
Answer 3. Answers may vary. - Question 4. What would you have wanted to do for the widow who had lost her son?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. - Question 5. What is compassion?
Answer 5. Compassion is having care or concern for someone who is hurting and wanting to help them."
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for the way that You love people. Help my heart to overflow with compassion like Yours does when I find others around me who are hurting and need help. Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
I can show compassion.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
Why should you show compassion for others' needs?
Luke 7:13–17
What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate when you hear good news or something special happens? Maybe you put on your favorite music. Perhaps you jump up and down and shout and squeal because you’re so excited. How do you think the mother in today’s story acted after what Jesus did? One minute she was hurting and heartbroken because her son had died. Then, Jesus reached out and showed compassion by bringing her son back to life. Her entire world changed!
Jesus gives us opportunities to reach out and show compassion to others. It may not mean life or death for someone, but simply caring or helping them will affect them. What may seem small to us could mean a world of difference to someone else. By showing compassion to those who are hurting, we help others know that they are loved by God, that they are valued, and that God has a plan and purpose for their life even when they have hard times.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for wanting to use me in big and small ways to show compassion to those around me. Help me to always be ready for every opportunity! Amen.
I can show compassion.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
Why should you show compassion for others' needs?
Luke 7:13–17
What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate when you hear good news or something special happens? Maybe you put on your favorite music. Perhaps you jump up and down and shout and squeal because you’re so excited. How do you think the mother in today’s story acted after what Jesus did? One minute she was hurting and heartbroken because her son had died. Then, Jesus reached out and showed compassion by bringing her son back to life. Her entire world changed!
Jesus gives us opportunities to reach out and show compassion to others. It may not mean life or death for someone, but simply caring or helping them will affect them. What may seem small to us could mean a world of difference to someone else. By showing compassion to those who are hurting, we help others know that they are loved by God, that they are valued, and that God has a plan and purpose for their life even when they have hard times.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What did Jesus do to the young man who had died?
Answer 1. Jesus brought him back to life! (Luke 7:14–15) - Question 2. What did the crowd do then?
Answer 2. They praised God and spread the news about Jesus. (Luke 7:16–17) - Question 3. What are some small things you can do to show compassion to others?
Answer 3. Answers may vary. - Question 4. How can the small things we do be a big deal for someone else?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. - Question 5. Why should you show compassion for others’ needs?
Answer 5. Answers may vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for wanting to use me in big and small ways to show compassion to those around me. Help me to always be ready for every opportunity! Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
I can know the truth.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
Why should we put action to our compassion?
1 John 3:16–19
Imagine that you’re walking through the grocery store. When you turn the corner to the next aisle, there’s a huge display that you didn’t see. You trip, fall flat on the floor, and knock down the entire display. Everything goes flying. How would you feel? Maybe you feel sad because you hurt your ankle, or maybe you feel embarrassed because you made a huge mess. Would you feel worse if people laughed at you, or would it be better if those around you had compassion and stopped to help you pick up all the things that had fallen?
Probably all of us would want someone to stop and help us. That’s the kind of compassion we’re supposed to show and receive when we’re part of the Church. Jesus has shown us so much compassion and love! As the verses we read explained, His love should make us want to love other Christians the same way. One way we can show that love is by putting it into action when we see other Christians hurting or in need.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for showing how much You love me by giving Your life to pay for the wrong things I’ve done. Help me to always consider how others feel and show them Your love and compassion by the things I do. Amen.
I can know the truth.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
Why should we put action to our compassion?
1 John 3:16–19
Imagine that you’re walking through the grocery store. When you turn the corner to the next aisle, there’s a huge display that you didn’t see. You trip, fall flat on the floor, and knock down the entire display. Everything goes flying. How would you feel? Maybe you feel sad because you hurt your ankle, or maybe you feel embarrassed because you made a huge mess. Would you feel worse if people laughed at you, or would it be better if those around you had compassion and stopped to help you pick up all the things that had fallen?
Probably all of us would want someone to stop and help us. That’s the kind of compassion we’re supposed to show and receive when we’re part of the Church. Jesus has shown us so much compassion and love! As the verses we read explained, His love should make us want to love other Christians the same way. One way we can show that love is by putting it into action when we see other Christians hurting or in need.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. How do these verses say that Jesus showed us love and compassion?
Answer 1. Jesus gave up His life for us. (1 John 3:16) - Question 2. When was a time someone showed you compassion?
Answer 2. Answers may vary. - Question 3. Who is someone in your church that you could show some compassion?
Answer 3. Answers may vary. - Question 4. How may God be wanting to use you to help care for other Christians’ needs?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. - Question 5. Why should we put action to our compassion?
Answer 5. It shows our love and that we belong to God. (1 John 3:18–19)
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for showing how much You love me by giving Your life to pay for the wrong things I’ve done. Help me to always consider how others feel and show them Your love and compassion by the things I do. Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
I can know the truth.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
How can I show compassion to others even when it's hard?
Psalm 103:8–13
Everyone’s done things that they knew were wrong. Maybe they borrowed something they shouldn’t have without permission. Or maybe they broke something and never told anyone. Those things are bad, but there’s something even worse. When we do things that God says are wrong, that’s sin. Every single sin deserves God’s punishment. But He shows us compassion and offers us forgiveness. When we ask for His forgiveness, instead of getting what we deserve, we get His love and mercy.
God’s compassion for us is an example for us. Has anyone ever been mean or hurtful to you? If so, maybe you wanted to get back at them. They may have deserved whatever you wanted to do It can be very hard to feel compassion for someone who’s done you wrong. Remembering God’s compassion when we sin can help us show compassion to those who do wrong to us.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for the compassion You have shown to me and for loving me even when I mess up. Help me to show compassion to those around me even when it’s hard. Amen.
I can know the truth.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
How can I show compassion to others even when it's hard?
Psalm 103:8–13
Everyone’s done things that they knew were wrong. Maybe they borrowed something they shouldn’t have without permission. Or maybe they broke something and never told anyone. Those things are bad, but there’s something even worse. When we do things that God says are wrong, that’s sin. Every single sin deserves God’s punishment. But He shows us compassion and offers us forgiveness. When we ask for His forgiveness, instead of getting what we deserve, we get His love and mercy.
God’s compassion for us is an example for us. Has anyone ever been mean or hurtful to you? If so, maybe you wanted to get back at them. They may have deserved whatever you wanted to do It can be very hard to feel compassion for someone who’s done you wrong. Remembering God’s compassion when we sin can help us show compassion to those who do wrong to us.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. According to the verses we read, what are some ways God shows us compassion?
Answer 1. He’s slow to get angry, filled with unfailing love, He doesn’t punish us for all our sins, He doesn’t deal harshly with us, and He’s like a father to His children. (Psalm 103:8–13) - Question 2. How far did the verses say God can take our sin from us?
Answer 2. “As far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) - Question 3. Why is it sometimes difficult for us to show compassion to those who have been mean to us?
Answer 3. Answers may vary. - Question 4. Who in your life right now is difficult for you to show compassion to?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. - Question 5. How can I show compassion to others even when it’s hard?
Answer 5. Answers may vary.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for the compassion You have shown to me and for loving me even when I mess up. Help me to show compassion to those around me even when it’s hard. Amen.