The Attributes of God

God's Compassion

1. Understanding God's Compassion
- Definition and Nature: God's compassion is His deep awareness of and sympathy for our suffering, coupled with a desire to
alleviate it. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion (Psalm 103:8).
- Biblical Examples: God's compassion is evident in His dealings with Israel, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7, where He reveals His
character to Moses.
- Jesus as the Embodiment: Jesus' life and ministry are the ultimate demonstration of God's compassion. When He saw the
crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).
- Compassion in the Old Testament: The prophets often spoke of God's compassion, urging Israel to return to Him. Return to
the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate (Joel 2:13).
- Compassion in the New Testament: The parables of Jesus, such as the Good Samaritan, highlight the importance of
compassion in the life of a believer.

Questions:
1. How do you personally experience God's compassion in your life?
2. In what ways can you reflect God's compassion to others?
3. How does understanding God's compassion change your view of His character?

2. The Role of Compassion in Salvation
- God's Compassionate Plan: Salvation is rooted in God's compassion, as He desires none to perish. The Lord is not slow in
keeping His promise... but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9).
- Jesus' Sacrifice: The ultimate act of compassion is Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. For God so loved the world that He gave His
one and only Son (John 3:16).
- Grace and Mercy: Compassion is intertwined with grace and mercy, as seen in Ephesians 2:4-5, where God, rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ.
- Repentance and Forgiveness: God's compassion leads to forgiveness, as He is willing to forgive those who repent. If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9).
- Eternal Life: Compassion is not just for this life but extends into eternity, offering us eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Questions:
1. How does God's compassion influence your understanding of salvation?
2. In what ways can you share the message of God's compassionate salvation with others?
3. How does the compassion of God challenge you to live differently?

3. Compassion as a Christian Virtue
- Imitating Christ: Believers are called to imitate Christ's compassion. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).
- The Fruit of the Spirit: Compassion is a reflection of the Holy Spirit's work in us, as seen in Galatians 5:22-23.
- Practical Acts of Compassion: The early church demonstrated compassion through acts of charity and support for one
another (Acts 2:44-45).
- Compassion in Community: Building a compassionate community involves bearing one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).
- Challenges to Compassion: Overcoming barriers such as prejudice, selfishness, and indifference is essential for living out
compassion.

Questions:
1. What are some practical ways you can show compassion in your daily life?
2. How can your church community better reflect God's compassion?
3. What challenges do you face in being compassionate, and how can you overcome them?

4. Compassion in Action
- Serving the Needy: Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25:35-40 emphasizes serving the least of these as an act of compassion.
- Global Compassion: The call to compassion extends beyond local communities to global issues, reflecting God's heart for
the world.
- Compassionate Leadership: Leaders are called to lead with compassion, as seen in the example of Nehemiah, who cared
deeply for his people.
- Healing and Restoration: Compassion leads to healing and restoration, as demonstrated by Jesus' healing miracles.
- Advocacy and Justice: Compassion involves standing up for justice and advocating for those who cannot speak for
themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Questions:
1. How can you be more intentional about serving those in need?
2. In what ways can you contribute to global compassion efforts?
3. How does compassion influence your view of justice and advocacy?

5. The Eternal Impact of Compassion
- Legacy of Compassion: A life of compassion leaves a lasting legacy, impacting future generations and glorifying God.
- Heavenly Rewards: Compassionate acts are noted by God and will be rewarded in eternity (Matthew 6:20).
- Transformative Power: Compassion has the power to transform lives, both for the giver and the receiver.
- Witness to the World: Our compassion serves as a witness to the world of God's love and grace.
- Hope and Encouragement: Compassion brings hope and encouragement to those who are suffering, reflecting the hope we
have in Christ.

Questions:
1. What kind of legacy do you want to leave in terms of compassion?
2. How does the promise of heavenly rewards motivate you to be compassionate?
3. In what ways can your compassion serve as a witness to those around you?

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