Lesson 1: Compassion

Lesson 1: Compassion

Why is this trait important to become good leaders and how do we get there?

Topic 1: Prayer

WHAT TIME IS IT? ICE BREAKER TIME!

Definition of Compassion

• Compassion is defined as a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, or in trouble. It is a sympathetic consciousness of other people’s suffering and longing to relieve their suffering.

• Literally *suffering with.*

Compassion is relevant everywhere

Victor Frankl

Author of Man's Search for Meaning

“The more one forgets himself--by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love--the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself. What is called self-actualization is not an attainable aim at all, for the simple reason that the more one would strive for it, the more he would miss it. In other words, self-actualization is possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendence.”

Dalai Lama

Author of The Art of Happiness

A compassionate attitude Helps you communicate more easily with your fellow human beings. As a result, you make more genuine friends and the atmosphere around you is positive, which gives you greater inner strength. This inner strength helps you spontaneously concern yourself with others instead of thinking only about yourself.

Mother Teresa

"A life not lived for others is not compassion."

"The Fruit of Love is service, which is compassion in action."

Matthew 6:14

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly father will forgive you

Act of Love

"...I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured."

Different teaching, different people, but same meaning... service for others.

Compassion a sought over the topic among leaders but not widely used by everybody… how can we change that?

Poll

I want you to rate the level of compassion you HAVE right now for others (0 being none - 4 being most)

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Poll

I want you to rate the level of compassion you WANT to have for others (0 being none - 4 being most)

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Open Ended

Why is there a difference between what you have and what you want?

Open Ended

How do you gain

a compassionate attitude?

Compassionate Attitude

• Pray, be silent towards God, pray for others

• Really taking the time to be grateful for what you have

• Detachment to what we have

• Forgiveness of others

• Tolerate other's behavior

• Be mindful of how you treat others

Open Ended

What are some ways to express/demonstrate compassion inside of the church?

Demonstration of Compassion in Church

• Helping your peers who need help

• Volunteering activities within the church

• Pray for yourself and others

• Forgiving others who have done you wrong

Open Ended

What are some ways express/demonstrate compassion in our lives?

Compassion in Our Lives

• Volunteering in nonprofit organization (food pantry, nursing homes, immigration)

• Seeing people who are homeless and find ways to serve them

• Offer help to your friends in times of need

• Be forgiving of the mistakes being done to you

• Having a network of people who can build your compassionate side

• Love yourself so that you can love others the same way (God making us as the same image as him)

Open Ended

Nowadays, why is it so hard to achieve a level of compassion for others?

Open Ended

What happens if we stop having compassion for others?

Open Ended

Are there negative consequences when you have compassion for others?

What can you do today for others?

Act of Love