Compassion

Invoke the mercy rule during a water fight, go Parents’ prayer

on a worm rescue mission, or turn your stuffed As you spend time in private prayer preparing for
animals into “lepers” to find out how Jesus this lesson, use the following prayer to help you
treated outcasts! talk to God about your own need to grow in showing
compassion to others.
There are loads of fun ideas in this lesson to help kids:
If you prefer to personalize your prayer,
• have sympathy for the suffering of others read through the additional verses provided
under “Scripture-guided prayer” for direction
• want to share what they have to meet others’ and inspiration.
needs
Sample prayer
• be considerate of others’ feelings and be quick God of mercy, who is a God like You, who forgives
to comfort and encourage others. my sins? You do not stay angry forever but delight
to show mercy (Micah 7:18). Thank you for the
You’ll find this lesson helpful for addressing sacrificial blood of Jesus, the richness of Your grace
selfishness, materialism, insensitivity to the plight of and free pardon for my sins (Ephesians 1:7). I humbly
others and an unwillingness to forgive. come before You, knowing that it is not because
of my righteousness that I can make requests of
You – it is because of Your great mercy (Daniel 9:18).
Lesson contents Your compassion never ends. With the coming of
Parents’ prayer 2 each new day, I experience Your faithfulness, love
Kids talk with God 3 and kindness (Lamentations 3:22-23). Thank you
Speak a blessing 4 for being a God of endless grace and tender mercy
Memory verses 4 (Nehemiah 9:31, Luke 1:78).
Kick-off craft 5
Bible stories 6 I ask You to help me see and love others as You
Creative discipline 10 do. I want to have a compassionate and merciful
Hands-on options 10 heart. My prayer is that You would fill me with Your
wisdom so that I can be pure, then peace loving,
considerate, open to reason, full of mercy and good
Scripture verses in this lesson are quoted from the fruit, impartial and sincere. Please give me gentle
English Standard Version. sensitivity and a humble willingness to do the things
You ask me to do. I’d like my children to see in me an
eagerness to open my arms to those who are poor
and needy (James 3:13,17, Proverbs 31:20). Please
teach me how to live and parent as You do, with a
perfect blend of grace, compassion and justice.

Thank you for the caring hearts that You have given
my children. Please pour Your love into
and , filling them with a Jesus-like
tenderness and compassion. Let them recognize the
mercy You extend to them daily and, in turn, remind
them to be quick to offer grace and forgiveness to
others. My prayer is that and
will live peaceably with everyone because they
are sympathetic, compassionate and humble
(1 Peter 3:8).

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Please help and to Proverbs 22:9 | Proverbs 14:31 | Ephesians 4:32 |
appreciate how blessed they are and be willing Colossians 3:12-14 | James 3:17
to make sacrifices in order to bless others. My
prayer is that their worldviews would be such that
they can comprehend the needs of those living Kids talk with God
beyond our comfortable community. As These sample prayers all begin with “Dear God,” but
and care for others, I ask that they you may use any other names of God your children
will experience true joy – the joy of knowing that, are comfortable with, (i.e. Father God, Lord Jesus,
whatever they did for one of the least of these Heavenly Father, Abba Father, etc.)
brothers, they did it for You (Matthew 5:7).
If your children are ready to pray original prayers,
Lord Jesus, I know that You secure justice for you may wish to use the Bible verses provided under
the poor and uphold the cause of the needy “Scripture-guided prayer for children.”
(Psalm 140:12). As a family, we want to be available to
be used as an avenue of Your generosity and mercy. Sample prayers
Please show us where we lack concern and increase Dear God, please help me to notice when people are
our awareness of the suffering of others. Help us to hurting and show me how to share Your love with
be quick to do what You ask of us, to do justice, and them. Amen.
to love kindness, and to walk humbly with You, our
God (Micah 6:8). May we count it our privilege to Dear God, thank you for showing me mercy every day.
share what You have given us, and to serve those less Please help me to be merciful to others. Amen.
fortunate in our community and around the world.
Amen. Dear God, right now I feel like paying back wrong
for wrong. Please help me to choose to be merciful
Scripture-guided prayer for parents instead. Amen.
Read and pray through one or more of the selected
Scriptures under each heading. Focus on listening to God Dear God, even when I don’t feel like forgiving,
and allowing His Spirit to direct you as you pray. please help me to remember that You show mercy
to those who show mercy to others (Matthew 5:7).
Character focus Amen.
Begin by thanking God for His mercy.
Nehemiah 9:30-32 | Psalm 103:9-14 | Isaiah 54:10 | Dear God, I don’t feel like caring about anyone but
Micah 7:18-19 | 1 Peter 1:3-5 myself right now. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help
me love others like You do. Amen.
Heart search
Acknowledge the areas in your life where you are Dear God, thank you for loving me and forgiving my
lacking in compassion. sins. Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven
Isaiah 55:6-9 | Daniel 9:4-5,17-19 | Hosea 6:6 | me (Matthew 6:12). Amen.
Luke 6:32-37 | James 2:12-13
Note: For an additional prayer idea, see the activity
Gratitude ‘‘caring hearts’’ in the hands-on options section of this
Thank God for ways you have seen family members lesson which guides you in writing your own version of a
display compassion and mercy to others. Celtic prayer.

Family requests Scripture-guided prayer for children

Ask God to help you and your children be Read through one of the selected Scriptures under each
compassionate, as He is. heading and help your children pray based on the verse
you read. Encourage them to listen to God and allow His
Spirit to guide them as they pray.

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Character focus Memory verses
Begin by exalting God for being compassionate. Memorizing Scripture with your children helps
Psalm 103:13 | Psalm 145:8-9 | James 5:11b God’s Spirit bring about lasting change. Choose
a verse that your children can learn in a pre-
Heart search determined period of time and aim to review the
Acknowledge times when you have trouble showing verse at least once every day.
mercy to others.
Isaiah 55:7 | Luke 6:36-37 | 1 John 4:20 Psalm 86:15 “But You, O Lord, are a God merciful
and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in
Gratitude steadfast love and faithfulness.”
Thank God for ways you have seen your family
members share His love with others. Psalm 116:5 “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our
God is merciful.”
Family requests
Ask God to help you, your siblings and your parents Psalm 140:12 “I know that the Lord will maintain the
be merciful. cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the
James 3:17 | 1 Peter 3:8 | 1 John 4:21 needy.”

Psalm 145:8 “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow

Speak a blessing to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Encourage your children throughout your lesson
on compassion by being quick to commend them Psalm 145:9 “The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is
whenever you notice them making an effort to show over all that He has made.”
compassion or mercy to others. Simple statements
like these mean a lot to your child. Proverbs 14:31 “Whoever oppresses a poor man
insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the
• That was very compassionate. When we show needy honors Him.”
compassion we are showing others what God’s
love is like. Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is generous to the poor
lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.”
• is a merciful boy / girl.
Proverbs 22:9 “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be
• , you are showing compassion! It’s blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”
awesome that you are being like Jesus!
Proverbs 29:7 “A righteous man knows the rights of
• God is pleased when we show mercy as you the poor; a wicked man does not understand such
have, . knowledge.”

• The Bible says, “Blessed are the merciful, for Isaiah 30:18 “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious
they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). God is to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show
pleased when you show mercy. mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
• You have such a kind and tender heart. Thank
you for being so caring. Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you but to do
• Thank you for being like a cuddly stuffed toy – a justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly
comfort to me / your friend / your sibling. (See with your God?”
the hands-on option “camping in the kitchen” in
this lesson for details.)

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 4 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
Zechariah 7:9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render Your goal is to put into practice the concept of
true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one “true fasting” from Isaiah 58:6-7, with particular
another . . .” emphasis on the Scripture verses that say:

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall “Is not this the fast that I choose . . . to share your
receive mercy.” bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor
into your house; when you see the naked, to cover
Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer them, him . . .?”
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
these My brothers, you did it to Me.’ ” Junk-food fast poster
Directions
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, 1 First, explain the concept of fasting to your
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in children, and your goal of fasting to help others.
Christ forgave you.” If you wish, you can use an explanation like
this one:
James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy • Fasting is giving up a need or desire in order to
and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” honour God. Many people fast by not eating any
food at all for a period of time – they might give
1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, up food for a day, or a week, or sometimes even
sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a a month.
humble mind.”
• God asks us to care for the needs of others
1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, that He laid down when we fast. So for this part of our lesson on
His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for compassion, we’re going to help others in a
the brothers.” special way – by giving up junk food for a week.
Then we can use the money we saved on junk
1 John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and food to buy food for people in our area who
sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against don’t have enough food to eat.
him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
2 Have your children cut pictures of their favourite
1 John 4:20 “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates treats from a grocery store flyer – treats such as
his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his sugary cereal, cookies, candy, chocolate, chips
brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he or ice cream.
has not seen.”
3 Write your chosen memory verse for this lesson
1 John 4:21 “And this commandment we have from on compassion on your poster.
Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
4 Next, help your children glue their pictures of
treats on the poster.
Kick-off craft
Plan to do this kick-off craft early in your lesson on 5 Hang your poster in a prominent place. When
compassion. You’ll begin by making a special poster your children choose to forgo their usual treat,
– a poster that encourages your children to fast such as dessert, have them place a check
from junk food for a week so you can use the money mark beside the image of that treat on their
saved to buy food for your local food bank. (If your poster. Use this as an opportunity to review the
family already lives junk food free, consider fasting memory verse together too.
from another privilege instead.)

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 6 When your week of fasting is complete, take a Key concepts
celebratory trip to the grocery store to buy food When we care for our pets we don’t just feed them,
for the food bank. Many grocery stores have we also love them. To care deeply for the needs
donation bins for the local food bank in-store. of another person or creature is an expression of
our love for them. This tender concern is called
Relevant Scripture compassion.
Isaiah 58:6-7 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to
loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of The Bible tells us that Jesus had compassion for
the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break people. We know that Jesus was concerned about
every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the those who were sick and hurting, because He healed
hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; those who were blind, crippled and unable to speak.
when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to
hide yourself from your own flesh?” Jesus was also concerned about the physical needs
of people who were not ill. In this story, Jesus told
His disciples that He was concerned that the people
Bible stories had not eaten for a long time and might collapse on
This section provides a number of Bible stories with their way home, so He fed them before He sent them
the theme of compassion, along with questions you home (Matthew 15:32).
can use to guide family discussions. Choose one or
more stories that are appropriate for your children. Jesus was concerned about people’s spiritual needs
too. He saw that the people were like sheep without
If the Bible passage is too complex for your children, a shepherd (Mark 6:34). Mark says, “He began to
paraphrase the story yourself or use the summary teach them many things.” Although we don’t know
provided under “key concepts.” exactly what He taught them, based on what Jesus
said elsewhere in the Bible, we can guess that He was
Hungry mouths and hungry hearts likely telling them about God’s amazing love, eternal
Read Mark 6:34-44 and Matthew 15:29-39. life and the importance of loving and obeying God,
and of loving each other.
Questions for discussion
1. Have you ever seen a stray dog? Note: The verses below give some examples of Jesus’
teaching.
2. What does a stray dog look like?
Relevant Scripture
3. How do you feel when you see an animal that is John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He
lonely or hungry? gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have eternal life. For God did
4. What do pets need from people? not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but in order that the world might be saved
5. Would your pet be happy if you fed it, but never through Him.”
loved it?
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord,
6. Why did Jesus have compassion for the people? Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one
who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”
7. What kind of miracles did Jesus do for
the people? Mark 12:29-31 “Jesus answered, ‘The most important
is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
8. What would happen to sheep that did not have a And you shall love the Lord your God with all your
shepherd to care for them? heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You

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shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no If you ask God for ways that your family can care for
other commandment greater than these.’ ” others within your town or city, expect that God will
show you a special job that He wants your family
John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many rooms. to do. It might be shovelling a snowy sidewalk for a
If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to widow or helping her with yardwork. You might also
prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a want to search out organizations that distribute
place for you, I will come again and will take you to used clothing and household items to people who
Myself, that where I am you may be also.” need them.

John 14:5-7 “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do Relevant Scripture

not know where You are going. How can we know Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer them,
the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father these My brothers, you did it to Me.’ ”
except through Me. If you had known Me, you
would have known My Father also. From now on Worse than dirt!
you do know Him and have seen Him.’ ” Note: Kids will have fun acting out this Bible story
with stuffed toys. Sprinkle a stuffed animal with some
Generous hearts baking soda to represent it being “unclean.” Have the
Note: This Bible story works well in conjunction with sprinkled stuffy call out Unclean! Unclean! to warn the
the hands-on option ‘‘walking in their shoes.’’ other animals to stay away or risk becoming “diseased.”
Let another stuffed animal who is playing the part
Read Acts 10:1-8 and Acts 9:36-43. of Jesus use a vacuum cleaner to “heal” the diseased
stuffed animal.
Questions for discussion
1. How was Cornelius’ family described? Read Leviticus 13:45-46 and Luke 5:12-13.

2. What did Cornelius do regularly? Questions for discussion

1. If you rolled in the mud, what would your mom
3. How was Dorcas described? or dad say?

4. Why do you think the people were sad when 2. Would your mom hug you if you were covered
she died? in mud?

5. How would you describe your family? 3. What would she ask you to do?

6. Can you think of some ways we can care for 4. How would you feel if you got dirt on your skin
the needs of people in our community? that wouldn’t come off, even after a bath?

Key concepts 5. In Bible times, where did the people who had
The Bible says that Cornelius’ family was careful skin diseases have to live?
to try to live in a way that pleased God. It also says
that Cornelius gave generously to those in need 6. Why did they have to go and live by themselves?
and prayed to God regularly (Acts 10:2).
7. How would you feel if you could not live in your
Dorcas was another person who was well known home with your family?
for all the kind things she did for others and for
the way she showed concern for the poor. When 8. Why do you think Jesus touched the man who
Dorcas died, the widows came and showed Paul all had leprosy?
the clothing she had made for them.

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 7 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
 9. Do you know anyone who could be considered 6. How does God expect us to show mercy to
an outcast? each other?

10. How can you share Jesus’ love with him or her? Key concepts
Jesus’ disciples asked Him how many times they
Key concepts should forgive each other. In reply, Jesus told a
When we are dirty, others generally don’t want to story about a king who was settling accounts with
touch us. But we can get clean by taking a bath. his servants.
Leprosy is a highly contagious skin disease. Having
leprosy is like having permanently dirty skin that no One servant owed the king a great deal of money.
one wants to touch. When the king asked for the money, the servant
begged for mercy and the king had pity on him and
In Bible times, people who had infectious skin cancelled his debt. But just after having his debt
diseases like leprosy had to live outside the city so cancelled, that same servant went and found another
their disease would not be passed on to other people. servant who owed him a small amount of money. He
Luke tells a story of a man with leprosy who came demanded that his money be paid back immediately.
to see Jesus, begging Jesus to cure his leprosy. The The indebted servant asked for some time to get
Bible says that Jesus was filled with compassion the money, but the other servant had him thrown
for the man and that He reached out His hand and in prison.
touched the man. Jesus said, “Be clean!” and the
man was healed (Luke 12:13). As you can imagine, when the king heard about
this, he had the first servant thrown in prison
Jesus did more than feel sorry for the man. He saw himself. Jesus ended the story by saying, “So also
the man’s painful situation and did something about My heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if
it. When we show concern for and meet the needs of you do not forgive your brother from your heart”
those who are hurting, we are being like Jesus. (Matthew 18:35).

Relevant Scripture At times we can be tempted to be like the unmerciful

1 John 4:21 “And this commandment we have from servant. Imagine if a child spilled milk on their
Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” father’s work papers by mistake, and the father
forgave the child. What if, moments later, a sibling
Forgiving others shows compassion accidentally spilled water on that same child’s toy,
Read Matthew 18:21-35, Ephesians 2:4-5, but they were unwilling to forgive their brother
1 Timothy 1:15-17 and Titus 3:5. or sister?

Questions for discussion To refuse to forgive is being unmerciful. Jesus tells

1. How did the servant’s master take pity on him? us that God is like the king: He shows us compassion
by forgiving us all our sins. God wants us to forgive
2. Did the servant then take pity on his others as He has forgiven us. When Jesus taught the
fellow servant? disciples to pray He prayed, “Forgive us our debts, as
we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
3. What happened to the servant who refused to We show compassion when we forgive each other.
have pity on his fellow servant?
Relevant Scripture
4. How does God show us mercy? Matthew 6:12 “. . . and forgive us our debts, as we
also have forgiven our debtors.”
5. Can you think of a real-life example of when we
could be like the unkind servant?

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 8 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, Romans 3:22b-24 “For there is no distinction: for
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Christ forgave you.” and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
God’s gift of mercy
Read Luke 2:1-32. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
Questions for discussion unrighteousness.”
1. What does a mother or father do when their
child is sick? Soft-hearted and open-handed
Read Deuteronomy 15:7-11.
2. Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to
the temple? Note: Have a coin or some other small treasure for each
child to hold in their hands during this story.
3. Who was Simeon?
Questions for discussion
4. Who was Simeon waiting for? 1. Imagine you have a treasure in your hand and
that I am going to take it from you. What are you
5. What did Simeon say when he saw Jesus? going to do to stop me?

6. Do you know what the word “salvation” means? 2. How did God say the Israelites were to treat
those who are poor?
Key concepts
It’s natural for parents to care compassionately 3. What do you think being “open-handed” means?
for their children. When a child is not well, their
parents ensure they get proper medical treatment. 4. How is being hard-hearted connected to being
Sometimes the child needs bedrest. Other times, tight-fisted?
they need medicine. In some cases, the sick child
must be taken to a doctor. 5. Do you think there are any poor people in
the world?
Romans 3:23 tells us that we have all sinned. Our sin
is like a sickness in our hearts and Jesus is like the 6. How about in our own town/city? Do any poor
doctor. He offers us mercy in the form of forgiveness. people live here?
God forgives our sins and can help us get rid of the
sin in our lives. 7. Can you think of something we can do to help
the poor people?
In the story of Simeon, when Simeon saw Jesus, he
said he had seen God’s “salvation” (Luke 2:30). This 8. What does the Bible tell us that God will do for
reference to the word for salvation in the Greek those who are generous?
language is soteria or soterion, meaning deliverance,
safety and health. God sent His Son, Jesus, to deliver Key concepts
us. Jesus is the “cure” for the “sickness” of sin in If we are trying to hold on to something small, we
our lives. usually protect it by making a clenched fist. The Bible
uses the terms “hard-hearted” and “tight-fisted” to
Relevant Scripture describe someone who is unwilling to share with the
Mark 2:17 “And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, poor. Alternatively, a person who is generous is called
‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but “open-handed.”
those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners.’ ”

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God wants us to find joy in sharing what we have with death. Jesus didn’t just serve a discipline alongside
others, especially with those who have very little. us – He took our place!
When we show compassion and kindness through Affirmation
giving to the poor, God notices and it pleases Him. Explain to your child that when God knows that he
or she is truly sorry for doing wrong, God is willing to
Relevant Scripture forgive him or her. Talk with your child about how we
Deuteronomy 15:7 “If among you, one of your can go to God and ask for mercy when we have sinned.
brothers should become poor, in any of your towns Encourage your child to pray a simple prayer such as,
within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, Dear God, I have sinned by . Please
you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand forgive me. Thank you for showing me mercy. Amen.
against your poor brother . . .”
Encourage your child by telling them that God wants
Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is generous to the poor to help us in our ‘‘time of need’’ (when we are tempted
lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.” to sin). Affirm your son or daughter by letting him or
her know that when they ask for God’s help, He will
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall provide the strength that they need to avoid sin.
receive mercy.”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near
to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and
Creative discipline find grace to help in time of need.”
When you need to discipline your child, reinforce
the concept of compassion by giving them a small
taste of God’s mercy. Hands-on options
These fun ideas require very little preparation,
Biblical basis making it easy for you to share some simple but
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the memorable lessons with your kids. Choose just one
free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our or two ideas that will appeal to your children.
Lord.”
Compassion clips
Suggested disciplinary action drama / role play
The next time your child needs to be disciplined, Have your children stage a series of mini puppet
choose a consequence as you normally would, but shows to help them practice verbalizing sympathy
serve the “sentence” along with your child. For and support.
example, if a time-out is called for, sit with your child
for the duration of the time-out. If the discipline is First, encourage your children to gather some
a service, such as cleaning up extra toys, then work stuffed animals or dolls to use as puppets. Then,
alongside your child. give each child a scenario to act out where one
of their “puppets” is in distress. The remaining
While you are doing this, explain to your child that children in the audience are to have their toy puppets
you are treating him or her as God does, with less come alongside to offer help and kind words of
severity than is deserved. He or she “deserves” to encouragement. (You may want to video the action
bear all the discipline on their own, but you are to review this lesson together at another time.)
sharing the pain of the discipline with him or her.
Here are some suggested scenarios for the puppets
Also remind your child that God’s Word says that we to act out:
have all sinned and deserve to die (Romans 6:23).
Emphasize that God forgives us and doesn’t make • falling down and getting hurt
us pay the penalty for our sins. Instead, He chose
to take the punishment for our sins through Jesus’ • losing the ice cream from an ice-cream cone

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 10 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
 • concern over a sick or dying pet occupied by another player, the official game rules
dictate that the player who was already on the space
• feeling left out or lonely after not being invited must give it up and return to the start.
to a birthday party
The mercy rule comes into play when someone lands
• feeling apprehensive about an upcoming dental on a space already held by the player who is the
or medical exam furthest behind in the game. If you land on the player
who is least likely to win, you simply take the space
• feeling upset about a broken toy on the board behind them instead of sending them
back to the start.
• feeling hurt by something someone said.
After the game, or during your next trip in the car
As the mini-dramas take place, have your children together, use the discussion questions below to
practice saying simple phrases to show their concern introduce your children to some real-life applications
and support. Here are some suggestions: of the mercy rule.

• You seem worried. What’s wrong? Pray with your children, asking God to help you be a
family who practices the mercy rule at all times – not
• I’m here for you. What can I do to help? just during family games.

• Because you are so special to me, when I see you Questions for discussion
upset, it upsets me too. Can I give you a hug? 1. Do you know what it means to “kick someone
who is down”?
• I love you. How can I pray for you right now?
2. Can you think of some real-life examples of
• Can I pray for you and ask God to help us get people who are hurting or “down”?
through this?
3. How can we apply the mercy rule in each of
Provide a “blessing” or “reward” for the stuffed these situations?
animals who are showing compassion. Award
them heart stickers or coupons as their ticket to Relevant Scripture
attend a “theatre cast party” afterwards. Or allow 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind,
compassionate stuffies to go along on the next family sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a
outing, to sleep in a special bed, or enjoy a privilege humble mind.”
of your children’s choosing.
James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure,
Relevant Scripture then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
receive mercy.”
Open arms
The mercy rule serving others
any time Packing an Operation Christmas Child shoebox is a
Implement “the mercy rule” when you play board great way to teach your children to care for others.
games like Trouble or Sorry!, and look for other
ways to implement the same concept in your day- Operation Christmas Child is organized by
to-day life. Samaritan’s Purse, and gives you the opportunity to
pack a shoebox with small gifts and toiletries for a
The mercy rule works like this: Typically, in the game needy child.
of Trouble or Sorry!, when one player lands on a space

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 11 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
This activity is ideal for children because they can Relevant Scripture
relate to the needs of a child their own age and they Proverbs 14:31 “Whoever oppresses a poor man
enjoy choosing the gift items. You don’t have to wait insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the
for the Christmas season: you can pack a box any needy honors Him.”
time of the year and tuck it away until November
when the boxes are collected in communities across Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer them,
North America. ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
these My brothers, you did it to Me.’ ”
Alternatively, you can choose another way to serve
others as a family, so you can be like the “wife of Wet and wild water fight
noble character” in Proverbs 31:20 who not only physical activity
cares for the needs of her household, but also “opens On a hot summer day, have a water fight with your
her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the children. Give each child a similar-sized small bucket
needy.” or plastic cup.

Whatever you choose to do, affirm your children As the parent, you will hold the refill hose. Play by
with one of the Bible verses provided here to let the rule that your children can dump water on you or
them know that God is honoured when they care spray you, but you can only spray them if they forget
for others. to call Mercy! when they come for a refill.

These discussion questions will help you introduce Encourage your children to show mercy to you as well,
your children to the idea of helping those by choosing not to soak you while you are refilling
less fortunate. another child’s arsenal.

Questions for discussion Prior to having the water fight, review “merciful”
1. How would you feel on Christmas morning if ways to wet each other down. One “merciful
there were no gifts to open? guideline” could be “no water above the shoulders,”
since it can hurt to get water thrown in your face
2. What would you want to pack in a shoebox for a or ears.
child your age?
After your game, remind your children that you were
3. If you were packing some gifts for baby Jesus, holding all the water power because you had the
what would you put in the box? hose, but you chose to show them mercy.

4. Why is it important for us to share with people Relevant Scripture

who are poor? Luke 6:31 “And as you wish that others would do to
you, do so to them.”
5. How does it make you feel when you think about
a child opening the shoebox you packed? Compassion starts small
getting into nature
Key concepts It’s important to teach children to be merciful
Caring for the poor and needy is an expression of our when dealing with all living creatures, both plants
love for God and shows others that we have God’s and animals.
love in our hearts. The Bible tells us that whatever
acts of kindness we do for anyone else is as though Share Luke 12:6 with your children, which tells us
we have done it for Jesus. When we care for those in that God is aware when a bird is killed, and help your
need, we honour God. children understand that all God’s creatures are
precious to Him. Establish as one of your family’s
values the simple rule If God made it, we don’t hurt it.

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 12 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
When you find an insect or spider in your home, slow to become angry. May our
put a glass over it and slip a piece of thick paper or speech be filled with praise for
cardboard under the glass to contain the creature. You, and encouragement for
Then place the glass on a firm surface where your one another.
children can observe it.
Call: Lord . . . guard our hearts . . .
Spend time with your children admiring the beauty Response: May we steer clear of anything
of God’s creation. Look with fascination at the which has the power to damage
coordination of its leg movements and at the and destroy. Curb our selfish
intricacy of its features. Thank God for the beauty of desires and protect our homes
the creepy crawly and then return it to the outdoors. and our relationships.
Talk about how much happier it must be now that it
has been allowed to go back to its home. Call: Lord . . . break our hearts . . .
Response: May we look at our
Relevant Scripture neighbourhoods, county, city,
Luke 12:6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two and world with Your eyes.
pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before Break our hearts with that
God.” which breaks Yours.

Seeking God’s heart Call: Lord . . . bend our knees . . .

drive time / any time Response: When we need guidance, may
At a family mealtime, or while on a long drive, put we look to You.
your heads together to write a family prayer asking Make this church a house
God to give you His love and concern for others. of prayer.

If you wish, you can use this simple Celtic prayer as a Call: Lord . . . wet our eyes . . .
model for your prayer: Response: May we be a tender people.
Help us to pause long enough to
A Celtic prayer listen to each other and to carry
each other’s burdens.
Call: Lord . . . open our eyes . . .
Response: May we see those around us. Call: Lord . . . use our feet . . .
Help us to notice those Response: May we be willing messengers
who are alone, hurting, and in of the Gospel, quick to testify
need of prayer. of Your mercy, goodness,
and grace.
Call: Lord . . . open our hands . . .
Response: Make us generous people. © 2008 Greg Hochhalter & Murray Decker. Used with permission.

Create in us a giving spirit,

ready to meet needs as we are To create your own prayer, read each “call” in the
able. Help us not to wait only example Celtic prayer and ask your children to
for opportunities to be heroic, suggest a “response.” You can also use the questions
but to respond to the needs that for discussion as prompts to inspire ideas. Here are
are put before us. some suggested responses for your prayer:

Call: Lord . . . guard our lips . . .

Response: May we speak the truth, but
always in love. May we be quick
to listen, slow to speak, and

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 13 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
 Call: Lord . . . open our eyes . . . If you have a dog, see if you can catch them trying to
Response: to see those around us who are lick the face or hands of someone who is sad or upset.
sad, lonely or in need. Point out to your children that pets can sometimes
set a good example of being sensitive to the needs
Call: Lord . . . open our hands . . . and hurts of those around us.
Response: to share the things we would
rather hang on to. Brainstorm together and come up with a list of signs
that indicate a person may have inner hurts. For
Call: Lord . . . guard our lips . . . example, if a family member who is usually talkative
Response: from saying unkind words. is very quiet, that can be a sign that they are upset.

Call: Lord . . . break our hearts . . . Discuss ways that you might console a distressed
Response: with the things that make You family member, and have each family member share
sad. ways they would appreciate being encouraged.
Licking a person is not recommended (unless you are
Call: Lord . . . bend our knees . . . a dog)! But a hug, a hand on the shoulder or a pat on
Response: we want to pray for those who the back is a great way to encourage someone.
need You.
Relevant Scripture
Call: Lord . . . wet our eyes . . . 1 John 4:21 “And this commandment we have from
Response: we want to cry with those who Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
are hurting.
Come alongside
Call: Lord . . . use our feet . . . physical activity
Response: to carry blessings to others. While you are out walking together, this simple
exercise will help you show your children the value
Questions for discussion of coming alongside a friend or family member to
1. Who would God want us to notice? encourage them during a hard time.

2. What would God want us to share? When you are out on your walk, go ahead and allow
a safe distance to separate you and your children.
3. Would God want us to share only big things or Hopefully at least one of your children will call out,
small things? “Wait for me!” Use the opportunity to discuss how
simply walking beside someone can be an act of
4. Is there anything happening in our home that compassion. Use the discussion questions provided,
would make God sad? if you wish.

5. What are some things God wouldn’t want us You may want to follow up your discussion by reading
to say? the familiar poem Footprints. Talk about how God not
only walks with us, He “carries” us during hard times.
6. What do we have a lot of that we could share?
Read Matthew 19:13-15 and point out that Jesus
Love like a dog touched little children to let them know they were
drive time / any time important to Him.
In this activity, you’ll watch how your pet dog reacts
when someone in the family is upset, and talk about At the close of your discussion, pray with your
body language cues that suggest someone is upset. children and ask God to give you opportunities to
encourage others. Then watch for practical ways your
children can put their suggestions into action.

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 14 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
Questions for discussion Matthew 19:13-15 “Then children were brought to
1. Why do we usually want another person walking Him that He might lay His hands on them and pray.
alongside us? The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said,
‘Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder
2. Can you tell about a time when you felt really them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’
sad or disappointed about something? And He laid His hands on them and went away.”

3. Who or what helped you feel better? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another
and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
4. How can we “come alongside” a person who is
having a tough time? (Examples of a tough time Child sponsorship
might be losing a pet or loved one, being sick, serving others
feeling lonely, moving to another place, getting Sponsoring a needy child is a wonderful way to
injured, being laughed at or made the brunt of a introduce your children to caring for the needs of
joke, or feeling embarrassed over a mistake such someone beyond their immediate community.
as spilling food or drink.)
Many organizations offer child sponsorship. Some
5. If a friend or family member is having a hard suggested organizations include Compassion Canada,
time, how can you remind them that God is Food for the Hungry and World Vision.
with them?
You can view photos and read short stories online
Key concepts with your kids about children in need of sponsorship.
Having another person walk alongside us is
encouraging. To encourage simply means to help To help your children fully comprehend the level
another person find the courage he or she needs to of poverty elsewhere in the world, and what a
continue on. When we are miserable, it usually feels difference your sponsorship can make, give your kids
better if we know someone cares about our sadness. some understanding of how little it costs to care for a
sponsored child for a month. For example, you could
We can encourage someone who is feeling sad, tell your child:
worried, scared, disappointed or hurt through
a kind touch or by simply being with them. In It costs $35 each month to support a needy child. If we
Matthew 19:13-15 we read that Jesus touched little added up the money we would spend on buying a new
children to let them know they were important toy ($30), a bag of chips ($2) and two cups of coffee
to Him. ($3), that would be enough money to pay for a child’s
food and schooling for a whole month.
God provides comfort through His Holy Spirit,
but He also wants us to comfort and encourage Relevant Scripture
each other. 1 John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and
sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against
Relevant Scripture him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
Romans 12:6-8 “Having gifts that differ according
to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, Operation worm rescue
in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; getting into nature
the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who Toward the end of a rainy day, venture outside to
exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, conduct a “worm rescue.”
in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one
who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 15 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
Explain to your kids that worms come out of the It feels good to help those who are in need – even
ground during rainy periods to migrate. When the if they are just small creatures. “Rescuing” or
ground is wet, they can move safely over sidewalks caring for people is even more rewarding. We show
and driveways. But when the sun comes out, they compassion or “rescue” people whenever we notice
can dry out before they get a chance to return to that someone has a problem and we care enough to
the soil. do something to help. When we show compassion to
anyone or anything, we are being loving and merciful
Using your bare hands, or wearing rubber gloves, like God is.
help the worms that have been caught out on the
sidewalk by returning them to the grass or garden. Relevant Scripture
Say encouraging words to the worms, such as Bye, bye Psalm 145:8-9 “The Lord is gracious and merciful,
little guy. Here you go, back to your home. Or, The sun is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The
coming out; go home and stay safe! Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He
has made.”
Use the questions for discussion to help your
children connect the concept of compassion to Blanket tag
this activity. physical activity
Play blanket tag according to the following
Note: A book or DVD version of the story Sara and the instructions, to emphasize the idea that “love covers
Starfish makes a nice complement to this activity. a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

Questions for discussion As the parent, you have the task of being “it.” You will
1. What could happen to worms if it gets hot and need a bath towel or a small blanket – a baby blanket
sunny before they can get off the sidewalk? is ideal. Have your children run around and tease you
as you try to “catch” them by touching them with the
2. Who has the power to make a difference for blanket. As soon as you’ve caught a child, wrap the
the worms? blanket around their head and shoulders like a shawl
and give them a hug saying, I forgive you for teasing me,
3. How did you feel when you rescued the worms? because love covers sin!

4. The worms had a problem. We noticed and Play blanket tag for as long as you wish. When
we cared enough to help. Can you remember it’s time to catch your breath and wind down, talk
the word that describes the feeling we were about how sad it is that we often forget to show
demonstrating? (Compassion) compassion and forgiveness to others, and instead
are quick to condemn others – even though we know
5. When we rescued the worms, how were we we have been forgiven by God, and have received His
being like God? mercy and forgiveness.

6. What are some ways we can “rescue” people? Follow-up by role-playing some familiar scenarios
from your home to help your kids practice correcting
Key concepts someone else’s behaviour with kindness and
The worms faced a life or death issue. If they didn’t gentleness, rather than with harsh condemnation or
get back into the cool, damp soil before the sun came an accusing tone.
out, they would have dried out and died. We noticed
their problem and we were big enough to help, so we Example scenarios might be when someone:
took the time to do so.
• refuses to share a toy

• speaks rudely

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 16 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
 • insists on having their own way Emphasize that the Bible likens God’s compassion
for His children to that of a parent, but His love is so
• unkindly teases a sibling amazing that it goes far beyond even a parent’s love.

• disobeys parental instructions. Relevant Scripture

Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
Have your children suggest appropriate and that she should have no compassion on the son of her
inappropriate ways to correct family members, and womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget
act out some of their ideas. you.”

Note: For a related discussion see “condemnation Psalm 103:13 “As a father shows compassion to his
is God’s job” in the Bible stories section of the children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who
forgiveness lesson. fear Him.”

Relevant Scripture Compassionate caregivers

Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any drive time / any time
transgression, you who are spiritual should restore Talk to your children about the “caring professions,”
him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, pastors
lest you too be tempted.” and counsellors.

James 2:12-13 “So speak and act as those who are See if your children can name some caring
to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment professions without your help. As you drive
is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. around town, look for places where people in these
Mercy triumphs over judgment.” occupations would work, such as hospitals, clinics,
ambulance stations and churches.
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers a multitude of sins.” Talk about how these people care for others, and use
the discussion questions to discuss Jesus’ role as a
My sweet baby compassionate healer. Point out that another name
any time for God is Jehovah Rophe, meaning “Lord our healer”
Have fun showing your children photos of them when (Exodus 15:26).
they were babies.
Take time to pray and thank God for people who work
Tell some stories about your children when they in the caring professions. In the future, when you
were younger, and reminisce about how cute and hear sirens or pass an accident scene, encourage your
treasured they were as infants. Describe how you had children to pray for the emergency workers and the
to feed, dress and carry your children when they were people needing their help.
just helpless babies, and how you even had to help
them hold their head up when they were newborns. Questions for discussion
1. Who do you go and see if you are very sick?
Explain that God puts a special love in a parent’s
heart for their offspring, and that a parent’s deep 2. When a person goes to the hospital with a
desire to care for and protect their baby is a kind of broken leg, who cares for them?
compassion. Because of this compassion, a parent
does everything they can to ensure that their children 3. How would you feel if a nurse was mean and
are kept safe and healthy. callous to you?

4. Who comes to our home if we call

an ambulance?

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 17 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
 5. If we have some questions about God, or we Note: For two related discussions see the Bible story
need someone to pray for us, who can we go to “hungry mouths and hungry hearts” from this lesson and
for help? “a task requiring teamwork and determination” in the
Bible stories section of the cooperation lesson.
Key concepts
We are very fortunate to live in a country where Mercy tales
we have many sources for help and healing. If drive time / any time
our bodies are hurt, we can get help from the Tell your kids about a time when you were short of
paramedics working on an ambulance unit who take money, or in need in some other way, and someone
us to the hospital, or we can see a doctor. Medical helped you.
professionals help us get the medicine or surgery
needed to help our bodies fight germs or be mended. Perhaps you can tell your kids about the time you had
a flat tire and someone stopped to help. Describe in
We can also pray and ask God to help heal any detail how their help made you feel. Or perhaps you
injuries or illnesses we get. Not only does God can tell about a time when you received undeserved
promise to heal us physically, He also says He will mercy or forgiveness.
heal us spiritually. Sin is a sickness of our hearts that
only God can heal. If you don’t have a story of your own, here’s a story
from our Kids of Integrity writer, Laurel Kirchner, for
The Bible is full of stories about Jesus healing people you to share instead.
physically and forgiving their sins. Jesus not only
cares about our bodies being well, He also wants the Forgotten buns and a kind cashier
spiritual part of us to be healthy too. (Our “spirit” is It was one of those days when there was too much
often referred to as our “heart.” You can also think of to do and too little time. I’m usually very organized,
your spirit as being the quiet, private part of you that but this particular day I let one important detail fall
has the ability to talk with and know God.) through the cracks. It was Bus Driver Appreciation
Day at my boys’ school and I had forgotten to bring
Relevant Scripture the dozen cinnamon buns I had signed up to bring.
Psalm 91:14 “Because he holds fast to Me in love, I
will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows I only had a five-minute window of time to buy
My name.” the buns at a nearby grocery store and get them to
the school.
Psalm 103:1-3 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that
is within me bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O Fortunately my local bakery had fresh cinnamon
my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives buns available. Feeling great relief, I took two
all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases . . .” packages of six up to the cashier, only to find that
I did not have my credit card with me. I only had
Matthew 14:14 “When He went ashore He saw a enough money for one package.
great crowd, and He had compassion on them and
healed their sick.” When I explained the situation to the cashier, she
let me take both packages and told me to come back
Matthew 20:34 “And Jesus in pity touched their later to pay for the second package. The mercy she
eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and offered me that day made a big difference for me.
followed Him.” The bus drivers got their cinnamon buns and I was
so grateful that I was able to fulfil my commitment
1 Peter 2:24 “He Himself bore our sins in His body to supply the buns.
on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to
righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” I did go back and pay for the cinnamon buns and
thanked the cashier for her trust and gracious

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 18 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
 generosity. Had I not returned to pay, the cashier Give your children an opportunity to show
would have needed to pay for the second package of compassion by collecting shoes for those who need
buns with her own money. them. Begin by checking with inner-city churches
or shelters to see if they are in need of footwear
After you tell your story, read Proverbs 11:25 to your donations. Then ask at a local recreation centre or
children. Let them know that when a person is kind gym if you can collect used running shoes for the
to another person, it’s not just the one who was homeless in your community. Set up a large bin and
helped who gets the benefits; the one who did the a sign explaining that all donated footwear will be
helping is blessed too. given to those in need. You may also want to canvas
friends, family and neighbours for items they would
Relevant Scripture like to donate.
Proverbs 11:25 “Whoever brings blessing will be
enriched, and one who waters will himself be Perhaps you’d like to broaden your scope of
watered.” collection. When you are in contact with your local
charities, ask for a list of items needed to help those
Walking in their shoes less fortunate. Once you have gathered the items,
physical activity make sure they are clean and in good repair and
The idea behind this exercise is to let your children deliver them to the charity of your choice.
go barefoot awhile so they can have empathy and
compassion for children who do not own a pair Questions for discussion
of shoes. 1. Even though it’s fun to go barefoot, what are the
dangers of walking around without shoes on?
Begin by doing an inventory of all the shoes each
member of your family owns. List all the different 2. What did it feel like to walk on the ?
types of shoes you have, such as formal shoes, casual
shoes, running shoes, golf shoes, tennis shoes, high 3. What was the softest surface? And the hardest?
heels, flip flops and summer sandals.
4. Which surface did you walk on that made you
If it’s seasonally appropriate, set up different wish you had shoes on?
barefoot experiences in your backyard by providing a
variety of surfaces for your children to walk on. You 5. What could you do if it was winter and you had
might be able to include concrete, gravel, bare dirt, to go outside, but you owned no shoes?
grass, and even “snow” made by shaving or finely
crushing ice cubes. 6. Would you like to help some people who don’t
own any shoes?
If it’s too cold to do the barefoot exercise outdoors,
create a sensory experience for your children using Note: If your children notice homeless people in your
a shag rug instead of grass, Lego blocks spread on a community, encourage your children to have compassion
mat for a rougher surface, a cold concrete basement for them, rather than viewing them with fear or disdain.
floor, and crushed ice or snow in a bathtub. Tell your children that many of these people do not have
jobs or homes to go to. Talk about what it must be like
Finish with a foot bath where you get to soak your to live without warm clothes, shelter or access to water
dirty, sore feet in a tub of warm water. While you are for hygiene. Explain that homeless people sometimes
soaking your feet, use the discussion questions to look dirty or unkempt, but that doesn’t mean they are
help your children connect their experience to the unkind or prone to criminal behaviour. Remind your kids
harsh realities of life for other children who have no that God loves the homeless just as much as He loves
shoes at all. your family.

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 19 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
Relevant Scripture 4. When there’s no stuffed animal, parent or friend
1 John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and around, who can comfort you?
sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against
him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 5. Why does God comfort us?

Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer them, 6. How can you comfort others?
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
these My brothers, you did it to Me.’” Key concepts
Most of us find it comforting to be close to someone
Camping with compassion else if we feel lonely or scared. When children
drama / role play are frightened, it helps them feel better when
For this activity, you’ll set up a pretend campsite they hug a stuffed animal, a pet or a parent. We
indoors and let your children practice offering can be a comforter or serve as a kind of “stuffed
comfort and reassurance to siblings and stuffed toys animal” for someone who is sad, alone or stressed
who are afraid of the dark. by encouraging them with kind words and offering
them a hug. The Bible tells us that God comforts us
Set up a pretend tent by throwing a blanket over a in our troubles so that we can share that comfort
table, then have your children bring blankets, pillows with others who are also experiencing difficulties.
and their favourite stuffed animal to go “camping” Offering comfort is a way of showing compassion
with them. Turn off all lights and pretend it’s for others.
nighttime, and use a flashlight inside your tent.
Relevant Scripture
Let your children take turns prowling around outside 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 “Blessed be the God and Father
the tent, growling like a wild animal. Encourage those of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies
inside the tent to comfort each other, and their and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our
stuffed animals, by saying, Hush. There’s no need to affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those
cry. Jesus is with us. who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which
we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Celebrate by making s’mores and singing campfire
songs that assure your children of God’s ongoing Lent beyond the Easter season
presence and protection. Finish by reading drive time / any time
2 Corinthians 1:2-4. In this activity, you’ll help your children understand
how well off they are and introduce them to the idea
In the future, make it a family tradition to offer of making “Lent” sacrifices in order to bless others
to “be a stuffy” for anyone who is discouraged or who are in need.
troubled. Remind your children of the talk you had
in the tent about how much better it feels to have First, explain to your children the concept of Lent.
someone or something offering comfort when we are (You’ll find help with this in the key concepts below.)
experiencing difficult emotions.
Next, decide with your kids how you can make a
Questions for discussion small monetary sacrifice for each day of the week, in
1. What do you do when you need comfort accordance with how you have been blessed. Here
at night? are some ideas to get your kids truly “counting their
blessings” as a means of deciding how much money
2. Which is your favourite animal, doll or blanket to to give to the poor, but feel free to choose other
use as a comforter? ideas too:

3. Can you tell about a time when you needed Monday: Donate a dime for each toy in
a comforter? the house.

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 20 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
Tuesday: Give a loonie for each piece of Salt water is special
candy you ate this past week. science with a twist
Make a raw egg float in salt water to illustrate how
Wednesday: Donate a quarter for each CD, much God cares about our tears and sorrows, and
video, DVD, or Blu-ray disc how God shows us His compassion by carrying us in
you own. our times of sorrow.

Thursday: Set aside a nickel for each pen, Note: This activity is repeated in the Kids of Integrity
pencil and felt marker in Easter lesson.
your home.
You will need a large bowl, four cups of water, plastic
Friday: Donate ten cents for each pair of drinking cups, one raw egg for each child, stickers or
socks you own.
permanent markers, tablespoons and 10 tablespoons
Saturday: Contribute a nickel for each book of salt.
your family owns.
1. Have each child decorate a raw egg with stickers
Sunday: Give 50 cents for each pair of or markers to represent himself or herself.
shoes your family owns.
2. Place the eggs in the bottom of a plastic bowl,
At the end of the week, deliver the money you’ve then have your children take turns pouring in
set aside to the person or the charity that God has a cup of water at a time (four cups of water in
directed you to. total). As each cup of water is poured in, ask
your children to list things that cause people
Key concepts to cry.
Many Christians practice the tradition of Lent during
the 40 days before Easter. During Lent, people often 3. Observe the egg sitting on the bottom of the
choose to fast, which means giving up food or certain bowl, and explain that sometimes someone
activities – such as watching TV – in order to seek who is very sad says they feel as though they
God more intently. As part of Lent, many people are “drowning in sorrow.” Mention that, just
also look for special ways to serve others, or they put as we can’t breathe under water, sometimes
aside money to help others. our sorrows feel so heavy that we feel we can’t
handle it.
People choose to make these small sacrifices–
like giving up their food, or their time, or 4. Read Psalm 116:1-5, then have your children
entertainment – to remind them what a big sacrifice begin adding salt by the tablespoonful. Be sure
Jesus made when He gave up His life for us. It also each spoonful is stirred and dissolved before
helps them to practice being like Jesus. the next one is added. As you add the salt, work
through the discussion questions below:
We made our “sacrifice” of money so we could
practice being like Jesus too, and to show our Questions for discussion
compassion for those who have much less than 1. What do people do when they are sad?
we have.
2. How are tears different from drops of rain?
Relevant Scripture
1 John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and 3. Have you ever cried so hard you felt like you
sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against were going to stop breathing?
him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
4. Do you think God sees your tears?
f
© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 21 Compassion | Kids of Integrity
 5. When we feel just dreadfully sad, who promises Recommended resources
to “carry” us through? For a list of children’s stories that reinforce the
theme of this lesson, consult the home page for the
6. If a friend is sad, how can you encourage them? compassion lesson at Kidsofintegrity.com.

Key concepts
God gave us tears as a way to help us cope with our
sadness. Tears taste salty and they contain special
chemicals that are released by our bodies when we
are sad. (To enrich your children’s understanding of the
fascinating way God made our bodies, especially tears,
you may want to do a little research on the Internet, or
look through a children’s physiology book.)

Even when our grief is so overwhelming that we feel

we cannot bear it, we can be sure that God sees our
tears and that He understands and cares. God is like
the salt that “lifted up” the egg. He is described in
the Bible as the “Father of compassion” and “the
God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). God promises
to always be with us and to “carry us” through our
trials and difficult days (Isaiah 46:4-5).

In Psalm 56:8, David asks God to keep track of his

tears. When we cry and taste our salt tears, we can
use it as a reminder of God’s care for us. If a friend
or family member is experiencing sadness, we can
remind them of God’s love by telling them that Jesus
cares about and understands their sorrow.

Relevant Scripture
Psalm 116:1-5 “I love the Lord, because He has
heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He
inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as
long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress
and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord:
‘O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!’ Gracious is the Lord,
and righteous; our God is merciful.”

Psalm 56:8 “You have kept count of my tossings; put

my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?”

Isaiah 46:4-5 “. . . even to your old age I am He and to

gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save. To whom will you liken Me
and make Me equal, and compare Me, that we may
be alike?”

© 2017 Focus on the Family (Canada) Association. All rights reserved. 22 Compassion | Kids of Integrity