February 12-18

 

Sunday - Read Mark 1:40-45

• What sort of compassion is being shown here?  How is this man's life affected?  What changes happened for him?
• How does this miracle get started?  Does someone else bring him to Jesus?  Or does he ask Jesus himself?
• When we approach God's throne asking for compassion and mercy, we often remember to do so for the sake of other people.  But it is hardly selfish (and indeed, this passage seems to encourage us) to pray for the things we need personally.  Take a moment to do just that.

 

Monday - Read Mark 6:35-44

• What sort of compassion is Jesus displaying here?
• It is easy for some people to think of God's compassion as being reserved for the BIG things people need.  And for many people, prayer can often be limited to big things... life-changing moments.  While this miracle is certainly impressive in many ways, what sort of need is really being met here?
• When you pray to God for compassion and mercy, what sorts of things does this example suggest you can ask for?  What requests like that can you think of right now?
• Close this time with a prayer... thanking God for, and asking Him for help with, little blessings that make life here more joyful.

 

Tuesday - Read John 11:17-22, 33-37, 41-44

• What displays of compassion do you see hear?  What does the middle selection of verses tell us about Jesus' love?
• In Monday's section, we spoke about remembering the little signs of compassion God gives you on a daily basis.  But we must hold a tension in our lives, between appreciating the small blessings and remembering Who we are dealing with.  What sort of need is being met here?
• When you pray to God for compassion and mercy, what sorts of things does this example suggest you can ask for?  What requests like that can you think of right now?
• Close this time with a prayer... asking God for compassion on those big situations in your life that need it.  Pray as Jesus did "Thy will be done," but confident that the God of all compassion will "wipe every tear"... today... or one day soon.

 

Wednesday - Read Mark 1:21-28

• How is the compassion of Jesus demonstrated in these passages?
• How does this miracle get started?  Does the man ask for help from Jesus, can he even do so?  Do others ask on his behalf?  Or does Jesus simply act?
• When we approach God's throne asking for compassion and mercy, we often forget that his compassion does not even depend on our request.  God has been showing compassion to His people from the beginning.  When you pray today, take a moment to thank God for His provision... of all those things you never even thought to ask for.

 

Thursday - Read Mark 2:1-12

• How is Jesus' compassion highlighted here?  What happens?
• How does is this man put in a position to be healed?  Does he bring himself?  How much help does he have to ask for (and how much help does he actually get, when he asks)?
• While it is always good to ask God for help, how does he often provide it?  Does assistance always come as a miraculous lightning bolt from heaven?  How does it often arrive?
• What do you need help with?  Who has been placed in your life for the asking?

 

Friday - Read Acts 12:1-10,  Matthew 5:14-16

• What compassion does God show to Peter?
• What is the church doing (in verse 5)?
• In Thursday's section, we talked the compassionate help for which we can ask others.  What is the flip side to that conversation?  What help can you be offering, that could mean so much to someone else?

 

Saturday - Read Jonah 4

• Though Jonah had wanted judgment to come upon his enemies, to whom does God show compassion here?
• Is God's compassion limited to only believers?
• How can you show compassion to others in this community?  At work?