God's Exquisite Garden CONCERN Print version The word concern means to be related to, or be connected with. A second definition is a matter that engages a person's attention, interest, care, or that affects a person's welfare or happiness. Another definition is a feeling of sympathy or to visit. It is natural for a parent to be concerned with the well being of their children. There are so many areas where as we parents are interested in what they are doing and who our children are spending their time with. "Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right. " Proverbs 20:11 We try to instruct our child as we read in Proverbs 1:10," My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. " We might know of someone who is going through a stressful time in his/her life. This could be through the loss of a job or any crisis that might be encountered. As we show them compassion, concern for them might be expressed. Christ Jesus showed concern many times. When He either spoke to someone or performed a miracle, he was showing them concern. Larger image We read in Galatians 6:2," Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law." The word concern also means to visit, to care for, to look after. There are times when we are concerned for someone, and in our visit we show them that concern. "Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. " Acts 15:14 Our Lord Jesus Christ showed His compassion and concern for a multitude. Jesus had been speaking and the crowd followed Him. They were tired and hungry. Jesus had them sit down, then told his disciples to feed them. A small lunch was the only food found among the large multitude. Jesus fed the crowd with the lunch. There were five thousand men, not counting women and children. This is found in Matthew 14:17, Mark 6:38, and in Mark 8:19. " And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. " Luke 9:16 And again in John 6:11," And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted." We can be concerned about the wrong things. Matthew 9:11-12," And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples,' Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? '" They were concerned about Jesus' actions, but Jesus ate with sinners because He wanted to bring the gospel to the lost. ...eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:7-8 (NKJV) For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. II Peter 1:16 (NKJV) There are so many things God does not want us to do. When we are trying to decide about being involved in questionable activities, we should ask ourselves, "Is this something I should be doing? Would I want to be engaged in this activity when the Lord comes?" Larger image Illustration Courtesy Old Pictures Used with permission We as Christians need to be concerned about the lost in the world. Jesus Christ, our Shepherd showed His concern for our souls in dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. A shepherd searches for the lost sheep. We read in Luke 15:3-6 of a shepherd who loses a sheep and looks until he finds it. " What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Luke 15:4 Concern is shown when we lose an object of value. We would be greatly concerned as to its whereabouts. Once the item is found, we are delighted. The parable is told of a woman who lost a coin. She searched diligently and when she found it, she rejoiced with her friends. We read this story in Luke 15:8-10. " Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? " Luke 15:8 Everyone is precious in God's sight. His concern for us was made evident when God sent His Son. Jesus Christ came to this world, lived as a man here and died for the forgiveness of our sins. That concern is the ultimate sacrifice: to be concerned to the point He gave His own life for us. He has concern for our spiritual well-being. " With him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left."Mark 15:27 We read in John 3:16 ," For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Discussion and study questions: (1) Is it possible for us to be concerned about the wrong things? (2) Who showed the greatest concern and what was that concern? (3) How many people were among the multitude that Jesus Christ fed? Lookup a word or passage in the Bible Include this form on your page Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence Lessons in this Series About The Author Print Version of All Lessons Lesson 1 Attitude Lesson 2 The Mind of Christ Lesson 3 Imitate Christ Lesson 4 Communication Lesson 5 Taming the Tongue Lesson 6 Our Legacy Lesson 7 Compassion Lesson 8 Confidence Lesson 9 Courage Lesson 10 Gossip Lesson 11 Honesty Lesson 12 Profanity Lesson 13 Improper Language . . Lesson 14 Faith Lesson 15 Encouragement Lesson 16 Humility Lesson 17 Assurance Lesson 18 Perseverance Lesson 19 Strength to Endure Suffering Lesson 20 Grieve Not The Spirit Lesson 21 Understanding Lesson 22 Knowledge Lesson 23 Wisdom Lesson 24 Purity in Heart Lesson 25 Trust Lesson 26 Obedience . . Lesson 27 Happiness Lesson 28 Contentment Lesson 29 Optimism Lesson 30 Inner Peace Lesson 31 Self-Control Lesson 32 Our Example Lesson 33 Patience Lesson 34 Concern Lesson 35 Testing Of Our Faith Lesson 36 Mercy Lesson 37 Grace Lesson 38 Problems Concerning Failure Lesson 39 Practical Results . . Lesson 40 Good Works Lesson 41 Women Teachers in Bible Times Lesson 42 Women Teachers Today Lesson 43 Having Good Friends Lesson 44 Choosing a Husband Lesson 45 Choosing a Wife Lesson 46 The Exemplary Daughter Part 1 Lesson 47 The Exemplary Daughter Part 2 Lesson 48 The Ideal Mother Part 1 Lesson 49 The Ideal Mother Part 2 Lesson 50 The Home As God Would Have It Part 1 Lesson 51 The Home As God Would Have It Part 2 Lesson 52 Impurity, . . Lesson 53 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 1 Lesson 54 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 2 Lesson 55 The Virtuous Woman Part 1 Lesson 56 The Virtuous Woman Part 2 Lesson 57 The Virtuous Woman Part 3 Lesson 58 Love Lesson 59 Morality Lesson 60 Pride & Haughtiness Lesson 61 Kindness Lesson 62 Respect Lesson 63 Modesty Lesson 64 Lying Lesson 65 Lewdness . . Lesson 66 Incomprehensible God Lesson 67 Unsearchable Riches Lesson 68 Infinite God Lesson 69 Holiness of God Lesson 70 Righteousness of God Lesson 71 Attendance Lesson 72 Omnipresence of God Lesson 73 Omniscience of God . .

Concentric Circles of Concern, Revised By W. Oscar Thompson / B & H Publishing Group Today's evangelistic emphasis is often on preaching to strangers, anonymous crowds, and in foreign countries. But according to this newly revised edition of W. Oscar Thompson Jr.'s classic work, a successful ministry always starts at home. In Concentric Circles of Concern, Dr. Thompson gives specific details on how best to share Christ's love by meeting the spiritual needs of close family first, followed by friends, and then all others, moving outward in concentric circles. Published posthumously, this book remains a living testament to Dr. Thompson's innovative method. Complete with testimonial strategies and biblical encouragement, this book is a precise and powerful guide to lifestyle evangelism, suitable for church study groups, conferences, or personal use.