I've been tapped to substitute in my 12 year old son's Sunday School class tomorrow. I'd like to offer a lesson on how to offer sympathy/help (not something this age group is known for) when something bad happens to friends OR strangers (ie- Haiti). Small class but many know a local family who just lost their home in a fire, another student had a relative burned out of her home, and one poor kid just lost his pet dog to a coyote attack.
Any scripture or other lesson suggestions? Thanks!
Good Samaritan! Lost of stuff online and historical info too on why Samaritans weren't generally liked which makes the story about helping and also stereotypes.
From the Daily Show with John Stewart:
Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
And - Psalm 34:18-20
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
New International Version (©1984)
he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Good Samaritan parable. Can't think of the reference offhand , but should be in one of the four Gospels.
There's another passage that is something like, "Brethren, let us love one another for love is of God".
if you have a Bible with a concordance, check the entries for "love" and "compassion", stuff like that.
You can always remind them to keep those folks in their prayers.
I think it's good that you are substituting, and that you want to instill this in your students!
K. Z.
Sorry I just read this, but I know EXACTLY what you need. maybe you can use for future reference. II Cor 1:3-5. Basically tells us that we go thru things so that when others go thru them, we can have compassion and understanding and help them go thru difficult circumstances as well.
MANY organizations, charities, foundations, scholarships, etc are BORN out of loss.
The parable of the sheep and the goats. Matthew 25:31-46
The parable of the good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37
Galatians 5:13-14
The above scriptures focus on loving and serving others. Hope you will have a good lesson with the kids.
