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Leader Briefing Document: Day 2, Session 3

Workshop Title: Seeing Through the Eyes of Christ

Leader Briefing Document: A comprehensive guide for the facilitator to lead the session with focus on Christ-like compassion, humility, and love.

Session Objectives:

  • Help participants understand Christ’s compassionate view of the world and how that perspective shapes service.
  • Encourage participants to develop Christ-like empathy and humility in their relationships and ministries.
  • Facilitate personal reflection and group discussions on seeing others as Christ sees them.
  • Provide practical examples of how to integrate this perspective into everyday ministry.

Bible or Digital Scripture Resources

Bible or Digital Scripture Resources: Key scriptures that emphasize seeing others through Christ’s eyes, His humility, and His compassion.

As with previous sessions, participants will need access to scripture, either through physical Bibles or digital apps like YouVersion or Bible Gateway. Below are key scriptures for Session 3:

Scripture Resources for Seeing Through the Eyes of Christ:

  • Matthew 9:36: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
  • Philippians 2:5-8: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God... made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant."
  • John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
  • Luke 10:33-37: The parable of the Good Samaritan.
  • Matthew 25:35-40: Jesus’ teaching on serving the least of these.
  • Colossians 3:12: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Session Flow:

1. Welcome and Opening Reflection (10 minutes)

Key Points to Emphasize:

  • Introduce the theme of this session: learning to see others through the compassionate eyes of Christ.
  • Highlight that Christ’s example teaches us to serve others selflessly, showing empathy, grace, and humility.

Opening Prayer:

  • Pray that the Holy Spirit would open the participants’ hearts to see others through the eyes of Christ, helping them grow in compassion and love.

Scripture to Read Aloud:

  • Matthew 9:36: When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
  • Philippians 2:5: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

2. Teaching: Seeing the World as Christ Does (20 minutes)

Key Teaching Points:

  • Compassion of Christ: Jesus saw people not just with physical eyes but with spiritual eyes—He saw their needs, brokenness, and potential. His heart was filled with compassion (Matthew 9:36, Luke 19:41-44).
  • Humility of Christ: Christ humbled Himself, becoming a servant to all (Philippians 2:5-8). His humility led Him to serve others selflessly, even unto death.
  • Love of Christ: Jesus’ love was radical and inclusive. He reached out to the marginalized, the sinners, and the outcasts, and He calls us to do the same (John 13:34-35).

Scripture Focus:

  • Matthew 25:35-40: The story of Jesus teaching that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him.
  • Luke 10:33-37: The parable of the Good Samaritan—showing mercy and love to those in need.

Illustration:

  • Share the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42), focusing on how Jesus crossed social and cultural barriers to show love, compassion, and truth.

Reflection Question for Participants:

  • How can we begin to see the people in our lives and communities through Christ’s eyes?

3. Reflection Activity: Compassionate Vision Worksheet (20 minutes)

Objective: Help participants reflect on how they currently view others and how they can adopt Christ’s perspective of compassion, humility, and love.

Instructions:

  • Distribute the Compassionate Vision Worksheet.
  • Give participants 10 minutes to quietly reflect and answer the questions, considering how they can develop a heart of compassion like Christ’s.

Key Reflection Prompts:

  • Who in your life do you find difficult to love or serve? How might Christ view them differently than you do?
  • Where do you see brokenness in your community, and how can you respond with Christ-like compassion?
  • How can you serve others with the humility and selflessness that Christ modeled?

4. Small Group Discussion: Developing a Christ-Like Heart (30 minutes)

Objective: Participants share their reflections on Christ-like compassion and discuss practical ways to serve others with love and humility.

Instructions:

  • Divide participants into small groups of 4-5 people.
  • Ask each person to share one reflection from the Compassionate Vision Worksheet, focusing on how they can change their perspective to see others through the eyes of Christ.
  • Discuss how this perspective shift can influence their ministry and daily life.

Facilitator Role:

  • Circulate between groups, listening to reflections, and providing encouragement.
  • Offer practical examples of how Christ-like compassion can be lived out in real-world service.

Scripture Prompts:

  • John 13:34-35: Jesus’ command to love one another as He has loved us.
  • Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

5. Large Group Sharing and Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

Objective: Bring the group back together to share insights and reinforce the importance of seeing others through Christ’s eyes in ministry.

Instructions:

  • Ask for volunteers to share one key takeaway or insight from their small group discussion.
  • Summarize the session’s key points, reminding participants that seeing others through Christ’s eyes is the foundation of compassionate, effective ministry.

Closing Prayer:

  • Lead a closing prayer asking the Holy Spirit to continue molding participants’ hearts to be more like Christ’s—filled with compassion, humility, and love for others.

6. Post-Session Activity: Ministry Planning Worksheet (Self-Guided)

Objective: Encourage participants to reflect on how seeing the world through Christ’s eyes impacts their ministry plans and actions.

Worksheet Prompts:

  • How has Christ’s compassion changed your perspective on the needs around you?
  • What specific steps can you take to serve others with the same love and humility that Christ showed?
  • How will seeing others through Christ’s eyes shape your ministry moving forward?

Follow-Up:

  • Encourage participants to continue reflecting on their ministry plans and discussing their progress with their small group throughout the week.