How can we apply the principle of comforting others in our church today? Seeing Comfort in Action John 11:19: “and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother.” What We Learn from Bethany • Presence matters—friends showed up before Jesus arrived. • Comfort is communal—the burden of grief was shared. • Action precedes answers—they consoled even when they could not yet explain Lazarus’s death. The Heart Behind Comfort • God initiates it: “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Colossians 1:3). • We pass it on: “so that we can comfort those in any trouble” (2 Colossians 1:4). • It is empathetic: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Practicing Comfort in Church Life Show up - Make a phone call, send a text, knock on the door. Presence speaks louder than perfect words. Listen well - Allow silence; let tears fall without rushing to fix. Speak Scripture wisely - Share short, hope-filled verses (e.g., Psalm 34:18; John 14:1-3) at the right time, not as band-aids. Pray on the spot - A simple, heartfelt prayer in person or over the phone reminds the hurting they are held by God. Meet tangible needs - Provide meals, childcare, rides to appointments, help with paperwork. Follow up - Grief lingers. Mark your calendar for a call or visit weeks and months later. Creating a Culture of Comfort • Small groups adopt families in crisis for ongoing care. • Deacons and elders model presence at hospitals and funerals. • Train members to recognize and respond to grief signals. • Testimonies on Sunday highlight how God used ordinary believers to bring comfort. • Budget funds for benevolence so financial help can flow quickly. Scriptures to Fuel the Practice • Galatians 6:2: “Carry one another’s burdens…” • 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage and build one another up…” • Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds…” Why It Matters When a church embodies John 11:19, it becomes a living witness that Christ still enters sorrow, surrounded by a community ready to console. Hurting people taste the compassion of God, and observers see the gospel in motion. |
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