FOR LIVING ROOM FACILITATORS

Jesus was a radical in the way he treated social outcasts like prostitutes, the poor, the sick, lepers and others. He treated them in a way that was completely contrary to social conventions of the day. Christ’s love brought a sense of dignity and value to those on the margins. As leaders of Living Room support groups, we are called to love as he did.

A simple prayer can help you do that. Spend a few quiet moments before your meeting and ask Jesus to fill you with his love and to help you share that love with people. Often that’s all it takes to bring out the kindness in you to help you as you facilitate.

Something we clearly see in Jesus’s life and teachings is the way he included people that everyone else left out. He welcomed everyone to his table. This is the kind of humility that we need to try and adopt—our hearts open as his was when he approached people in need. He understood them and had empathy.

Jesus was able to walk with them—as one with them. As peers with similar problems, we too will have some understanding of what others go through and will also be able to have empathy.

Mark 5:1-20 tells about how Jesus healed a demon-possessed man living in a graveyard—a person most would stay clear of. But Jesus showed how even a man like this deserves mercy, dignity, and kindness.

We are called to do the same, no matter how far beyond hope the people we lead seem to be. Love may not always heal the body or mind, but it will heal the heart. Too often people with severe problems are regarded as worthless. But from Christ’s perspective every human being is of infinite value. It is up to group facilitators to remind their members of this.

Jesus was motivated by compassion and love. To follow Jesus, we could help those in need with friendship, love, and encouragement. Being there for a person needing care when he is sick or lonely is one of the most loving things we can do.

marja