DIGGING DEEPER

WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 1 & 2, 2025

SERMON NOTES

The Art of Listening:

Compassionate Curiosity



The Art of Listening — Engaging Stories Like Jesus
This month we’re focusing on the L in BLESS: LISTEN.

Jesus loved people by listening to their stories. As we learn “The Art of Listening,” we want to slow down, be present, and make space for real conversations that lead to gospel moments.

Go & Be Focus: Compassionate Curiosity
Jesus entered into our world, and felt into our suffering, meeting us where we are with his grace. We follow this model as we intentionally enter into the suffering of others through the use of empathy.

Go & Be Challenge: Practice the empathic reflection skills that you learned this week with five people, checking in with them to see how close your understanding is to theirs.

Objections to empathy:


  1. The Bible doesn’t use the word “empathy.”
  2. Hebrews 4:15
  3. I Corinthians 12:24-26
  4. Romans 12:14-16


  1. The Bible focuses on truth.
  2. Ephesians 4:15


  1. People need to be challenged, not coddled.
  2. II Corinthians 1:3-7


  1. Empathy overvalues emotions.
  2. Galatians 5:22-23; 6:1-2


  1. Empathy excuses sin
  2. Romans 2:4


Additional Resources

DIGGING DEEPER

After week two of the series, reassess your listening skills. Where do you think you are strong? Where do you think you are weak? What would you like to focus your attention on to grow?


When you hear the word empathy, what comes to mind?


Have you believed empathy is a biblical concept? Why or why not?


Read Hebrews 4:14-16:


  • Keeping in mind that while the Greek word used in verse 15, sympathesai, is sometimes translated as sympathy, the word means more like what we mean by empathy, how does this shape your understanding of Jesus?


  • How does this shape your understanding of how we are called to be there emotionally for others? What relevance do you see for this skill?


In what ways have the objections to empathy listed in the additional resources impacted you? Are there other objections you have?


Spend some time in group practicing your reflection skills with the following guidelines:


  • Have a designated speaker and a designated listener, with everyone else prepping to share their observations.


  • If you are the speaker, share about something relevant from your life


  • If you are the listener, try not to ask any questions, but use statements that reflect back in your own words what the person said, and how they are feeling about it.


  • See how long you can keep the conversation going without asking questions, stopping at five minutes.


  • Switch roles..


Note: this will likely be difficult, and may feel clunky, unrealistic, or robotic. The point is to help you see how hard it is not to give advice or ask questions, but to simply reflect. This will get easier and feel more natural, but only if you practice!


Additional Resources

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