Sharing Time: Compassion

Just found this sharing time idea saved on my computer:

From construction paper, cut out the letters COMPASSION. Make them approximately 6" high. Using tape, tape letters under the chairs. Have children check their chairs for a letter. Explain that the letters they’ve found spell a special word. It is a long word, but an important word that every person should know about. When all the letters have been collected, arrange the children in the correct order so the word, compassion, is spelled. Tell them what the word is and explain that it means love in action. It means your heart feels so much love and sympathy for someone, you want to show it by kind acts and words. Which is SERVICE!!


Tell the children the story of the Good Samaritan. ( Jr. tell following story & Sr. Primary have them act out story

Needed:
Jew-
Thieves –
Priest
Levite
Samaritan
Inn Keeper

During the time of Christ the road between Jerusalem and Jericho was known for being a dangerous road on which to travel because of the many robbers and thieves who preyed on those upon that road. –One time there was a Jew who was walking along this road and some thieves stopped him, and took his clothes, and beat him. They left him on the road almost dead.

Soon a Jewish priest went by and saw the man. This priest worked every day in the temple serving God. He knew the Jewish law which required him to give aid to the wounded. But when he saw the wounded man, he didn’t even want to get near him but instead he walked to the other side of the road and went on his way.

Next came a Levite. The Levite was also a very religious person who worked in the temple helping the priests. He too knew that he should help the wounded. He came close to the wounded man and swa his serious injuries, but did not have any compassion in his heart either. He too crossed to the other side of the road and went on his way.

- Then a Samaritan came along. The Jews and the Samaritans did not like each other. But when the Samaritan saw the man, he felt sorry for him. Even though he knew that the man was a Jew, the Samaritan took care of his wounds and put clothes on him.

- Next, the Samaritan took the Jew to an inn and cared for him until the next day. When the Samaritan had to leave, he gave money to the innkeeper and told him to take care of the man. Jesus has told us to be like the Samaritan.

The Good Samaritan Game (I had this in a FHE packet that I won at a RS auction): Discuss with the children the need in their own lives to be of Christlike service to others. Display the wounded man and explain to the children that we are going to care for the wounded man. Have each child name one kind of service that they can give to those around them. When named, have the child help tape the band-aids on the wounded man. When all children have had a turn, talk about some other things we can do to have compassion, then finish clothing the wounded man.