Tuesday’s Lesson – Jesus' Emotional Manifestations: Part 1

Apart from taking care of nourishing the crowds, what other acts of Jesus were performed out of compassion? Mark 1:40, 41; 6:34.

Mark 1:40, 41

Here we find that Jesus is approached by a leper. The leper falls down before Jesus begging Jesus to heal him. The bible tells us  in this instance that Jesus has compassion upon the man. Jesus’ compassion drove him to heal. Jesus had a deep feeling of sorrow for all those experiencing misfortune, his compassion motivated him to want to alleviate all those who were suffering.

Mark 6:34

Jesus here showed compassion when he saw that the people had no shepherd.The people had no one to guide them spiritually, because of this Jesus began to teach them. Jesus taught not just to give information but he taught with compassion. Jesus sought with his teaching to lead those he taught and give them a definite aim for life.

What are ways that you express compassion? That is, it's one thing to feel compassion (most folk do that), but it's another to express it by concrete deeds. How might you through words and deeds better reveal the compassion you feel for those who are hurting?

The way that I express compassion is by helping people. When someone asks me for something that I have I give it to them. Also I express compassion by trying to understand someones situation and to treat them now I would want to be treated.

In order to be more compassionate there must be an intellectual transaction and there must also be a spiritual transaction. We are compassionate from the overflow of the compassion that we have experienced from God. When we experience God’s compassion we want to also show this compassion to others.

If we lack the compassion that we would like to have we can simply ask God to make us more compassionate. I believe that a prayer for compassion is one that God is very eager to answer (1 John 5:14). May we ask for this gift of compassion that we may freely give it.

Prayer: Father thank you for the compassion you have showed toward us time and time again. Teach us to be compassionate as you were , and enlarge our ability to have compassion for others. Thank you , in Jesus name Amen.

Monday’s Lesson – Positive Emotions

Read Galatians 5:22. How should the fruit of the Spirit make a difference in the way people experience life?

Possessing God’s Spirit brings love. How would life be different if we understood and possessed genuine love in our hearts. Many are in search of love and many claim to have it but true love can not be obtained apart from the Spirit of God. God’s Spirit also bring peace and Joy, many have been robbed of their peace and can’t seem to find how to get it back. When you have the peace of God you can experience rest in the midst of difficulties.

Patience is something that we all need a little bit more of. Having more patience would help you when having to wait for something. Patience would help you when you don’t readily see the answers to your prayers. Everyday we are presented with opportunities to be patient. Obtaining the patience that God offers is a practical virtue to have.

Imagine if people were more kind, from when when you went to the grocery store to the department store, in the home and on the Job. What if people possessed genuine goodness? Imagine if you did not have to worry about people crooking you or mistreating you. What if people possessed faithfulness? You could count on them and you could take them at their word.

The fruits of the Spirit are the virtues that most people desire. Even the secular world recognizes the value in these character attributes. These wonderful graces are all available by the Spirit of God. Many in the world are looking for these virtues yet in all the wrong places. God is the one who gives His Spirit , and He is eagerly awaiting to give to all who ask (Luke 11:13)

Read Colossians 3:12–14. What is the most outstanding positive emotion according to Paul? What is the meaning of "clothe yourselves" (NIV) as expressed in this passage? What consequences follow when someone puts into practice Paul's words in this passage?

According to Paul the most outstanding emotion to have is love. When Paul says “clothe yourselves” , it means love should cover everything you do. Each day just as we put on clothes we should put on love. Just as in the winter we would not leave our house without a jacket, we must also not leave the house without our love jacket. When we choose to love this love creates peace and unity wherever we go.

Prayer: Father we desire to have your Holy Spirit. Please fill us with your Spirit without measure,transform us from the inside out. Father please show us how to love magnificently. May we clothe ourselves daily with you astounding love. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.