I hope today’s lesson can be of use to youth ministries, counselors, Family devotionals and family home evenings. My current object lessons are taking a different slant. Instead of using objects around the house, I’m employing humor to teach a serious topic. We’ll see how it works eh? Today’s lesson is how a dog on a roof can teach compassion.
Joke: A man went on vacation and left his dog with his brother. While away he called his brother to ask about his dog.
“Your dog died,” said the brother.
“What?!!!,” replied the other brother. “You’re not supposed to just come out and tell me like that. The first night I call you’re supposed to say the dog is on the roof. The next time I call you’re supposed to tell me that the dog fell off the roof. The third night I call you tell me that the dog died. Got it?
“Got it.”
“Okay, good,” said the brother on vacation. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
The next day the vacationing brother calls and asks his brother, “So how is everything going?”
“Good,” says his brother, trying to make pleasant chit chat.
“And how is mom?”
“She’s on the roof.”
Today’s lesson is on compassion. We only have to be in a dire situation and a complete stranger gives us essential aide for us to appreciate kindness. It the challenges of today’s society, compassion is becoming a rare and more valued trait.
It might be easier for us to offer acts of kindness by simply imagining ourselves to be in a difficult situation. Putting ourselves in another person’s shoes/condition can help build our sympathy and thus we may be more inclined to offer assistance. We do have to be careful who and when we help others as sometimes villainous people will entrap kind people for personal gain. But there are time when a person who has received a kindness from another wishes to share their good luck with another.
In church today, a sister gave a story from the local newspaper where someone in a grocery store did not have enough money to buy all the food in their cart. A stranger paid for their food and left. The recipient was very touched. They told the cashier, “I have $20, share it with someone who needs it” and the second person left. The crasher uses the $20 to help a third customer. They in turn say “I have $11 and would like to share it” and so it went on and on where one kept moving the blessing of generosity, compassion, love from one to another.
Share with the family or class personal experiences where you have been helped by another. It might be a family member, friend or a complete stranger. Talk about the act and the feeling of receiving that help. Also share of times when you have helped another and the feelings you had.
Please feel free to give additional suggestions you have on this topic in the comment section of the blog/site. If you have a personal experience where someone has shown a kindness to you, please share it.
