Teaching Compassion in a Heartless World

“I just can’t people anymore,” we say, and then laugh at our creativity in expressing our dislike of other humans. Whether it’s the other political party, the annoying neighbor, or the whiny child in our home, we easily tip into frustration with people. Then we passive-aggressively let the world know with sarcastic quips on mugs, shirts, and bumper stickers.

While it all seems benign, it can feed into an uncaring mindset that opposes Jesus’s call to love them—all of them—as God does. We can’t just laugh off our intolerance. Somehow, we need to grow in caring about other people. We need to be more like Jesus.

When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36 (CEV)

With the heart of his Father, when Jesus saw the crowds, he felt compassion. He looked past their actions to see their motivations. He saw them as God’s children fantastically made and deeply in need of grace. He took pity; he cared and showed concern.

Humility, forgiveness, and compassion are three components of growing our love for others. They all work together, each bolstering the next to make them all possible. There are times we’ve all been alarmed when our children seem heartless or cruel towards others, especially their siblings. Compassion doesn’t come naturally. We need to coach them in developing each of these three virtues.

We can encourage our children to be compassionate by talking with them about other people’s feelings, applauding kindness, and modeling in word and deed how we care for humanity. We can surround them with compassionate people, hopefully in an outreach-oriented church. And most of all, we can pray for our children to be caring. And, most importantly, we can point them to the most compassionate one of all, our loving Father God.

A compassionate home will shine as a bright example for a world in desperate need of more love. Compassionate children will change their culture for the Lord.

PRAY

Lord Jesus, thank you for seeing me and my children and feeling compassionate love toward us. Help us to see others with compassion as well. May we be more like you in caring for people. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): What are some ways we can show compassion right here where we live?

Apply: Brainstorm with your children. Make a plan together to show compassion to others in your neighborhood and town. Feed the homeless. Assist the elderly. Purchase necessities for a family who just had a baby. While doing it, remind your children of Jesus’s examples of amazing compassion for us.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 145:9

1 Peter 3:8