Lifestyle Compassion: The Jesus Model

Mark 5:21-43 & Matthew 8:1-13

October 14 , 2007

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Study Guide

                         How Compassionate are You?

            |-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|

           0                                   5                                  10

(what’s compassion?)                                          (off the charts)

Four Scenes of Jesus’ Compassion

The Synagogue Ruler (Mark 5:21-24; 35-43)

Jairus was one of the most respected and important men in the community.

He was at the end of his rope and didn’t know where else to turn.

              Compassion comes without condition—no strings attached.

              How good are we at extending compassion without strings?

The Woman (Mark 5:25-34)

The woman had been sick and bleeding…for twelve years!

She was ceremonially unclean & separated from her community.

Compassion refuses to ignore the helpless and powerless.

How good are we at demonstrating compassion to those who cannot help themselves?

The Centurion (Matthew 8:5-13)

Centurions were the backbone of the Roman army.

Jesus and the centurion are on the same page: the servant needs to be healed.

Compassion is apolitical; it’s politically neutral.

Are we willing to go beyond politics to be like Jesus to the least of these?

The Leper (Matthew 8:1-4)

Lepers were ceremonially unclean. They were societal outcasts.

Lepers were seen as cursed by God.

Compassion embraces the outcast.

Who are our lepers?

Cultivating Compassion

Seize the opportunities when they present themselves.

The flag: “Will you help me?”

You can’t do everything…start with what presents itself.