Neil
Diamond, an American songwriter, wrote a song entitled “He Ain’t Heavy… He’s My
Brother” containing these lyrics,
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he, to bear
We’ll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.
Caring for
our brothers, or sisters, or our neighbors, is fundamental to a civilized
society. For a social network based upon the teachings of the New Testament and
particularly those of Jesus, caring for those we consider family is critical
for our relationship with God himself.
Jesus
emphasized our responsibility to care for others in scripture.
Mat
22:37-40 Jesus answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and the most
important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: 'Love
your neighbor as you love yourself.' The whole Law of Moses and the teachings
of the prophets depend on these two commandments."
Mat
25:35-40 I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a
stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was
sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.' The righteous will
then answer him, 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or
thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome
you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in
prison, and visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you did this
for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!
The Apostle
Paul added these directions for his readers among the churches in Galatia:
Gal
6:9 So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the
time will come when we will reap the harvest. So then, as often as we have the
chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to
our family in the faith.
Within the
context of the Bible study small group, such ministry is eminently possible.
Members get to know each other in ways a large group in worship or elsewhere
never would. Through sharing prayer requests and life experiences, members
learn the special needs of others within this developing spiritual family. With
this knowledge they seek ways to meet those needs.
The physical
needs are most obvious. They may not, however, be the most serious. The pain of
surgery is real. Just as real is the pain of a damaged or broken relationship.
There is pain in crushed dreams and unrealized expectations. There is pain when
a personal value or idea is dragged through criticism as well meaning as that
criticism might have been.
The members
of the small group family have many paths by which they may be ministers to
each other. Different needs call for different skills and different resources.
Physical resources may be provided by members as needed. Symbols of
encouragement can come in a variety of forms. The most important thing is for
the class to remember they have a responsibility to minister to each in the
name of Christ.
In times of
sickness, meals for the individual and family remove one more thing others in
the family need not have as a concern. Sitters allow the family caregiver a
chance to get out of the house for a while. An individual or group who is
willing to give the time to do chores around the house help the family retain
some sense of normalcy.
Nothing is
more powerful than the gift of presence. Giving of personal time to be with
someone else says simply, “I remember you and I care.” When words are
insufficient and material needs do not exist, the presence of an individual who
shares compassion can make all the difference in the world.
The small
group above all else allows us to minister to one another.
