Change: Empathy

Empathy is defined as the ability to detect other's emotions and understand their perspective. –

They are fully present with others

Mark 10:13-16 – One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”

They've mastered the art of active listening

Luke 24:15-19 NLT – As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” “What things?” Jesus asked.

They tune into nonverbal communication

They pause. 

John 8:4-6 – “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 

They replace giving advice with asking questions

John 21:15-17

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

They speak in terms of "we," not "me"

Philippians 1:30 – “We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”

They imagine others' point of view

John 11:33-35 – Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

Questions for discussion (adapted from Growing Young)

Share your strongest and weakest trait from the above list and one way you plan to grow in the weakest

What gets in the way of our church empathizing with teenagers and young adults?

What shifts might we need to make in order to be a more hospitable place for young (and old) people’s journey toward identity, belonging, and purpose?