Empathy as resistance by Matthew Frease
Questions:
- What were some thoughts you had when you first read the title of this article? What sense does it make to think of empathy as resistance?
- The author writes, “Jesus, throughout the Gospels, engages in radical empathy by both seeing others and being seen by them. If we are called to embody the gospel, we must engage in empathy.” What is your response to that statement?
- The author introduces three aspects of empathy: “Empathy connects, empathy transforms relationships, and empathy expands.” What new insights did you discern from these three aspects of empathy? If you were to add a fourth aspect of empathy, what would it be?
- In the section “Empathy transforms relationships,” the author writes about the nature of the soul. What are some thoughts you have about his understanding of the soul?
- Reread the last paragraph of the article. Which of the statements rings true for you? What would you add to this summary? What questions emerge for you to think about?
Letting empathy loose by Alfred Walker
Questions:
- The author writes of a letter written to the Presbyterian Outlook in 1989 and its being republished in the From the Archives column in the June 2025 “Loneliness” issue. For how many years have you been reading the Presbyterian Outlook? Do you read that column each month? If so, what are some of your impressions of what was published many years ago being relevant today?
- What are your thoughts about two staff members of the Presbyterian Outlook researching to learn more about the author of the letter, J.D. Parrish?
- Is your church aware of any families that have family members who are incarcerated? If so, how have you or how can you reach out to the family and to the one incarcerated?
- Many in our communities and churches are lonely. What are some ways to identify such persons? How can you and/or your church reach out with empathy to persons who are lonely?
Without weeping, there is no rising by Chris Henry
Questions:
- The subheading of this article is, “Empathy is the heart of our covenantal relationship with one another.” When you reflect on that statement, what thoughts and beliefs come to mind?
- Have you encountered any persons or articles that argue, “Empathy has become dangerous to the Christian faith,” as quoted by the author? If so, how did you respond to the assertions of those statements?
- In what ways do you see this article as the words of a prophet? What are some words of Old Testament prophets that resonate with the thesis of this article?
- Reread the section “The fear behind the resistance” on page 20. What are some of your thoughts about what the author states in that section?
- The author uses the phrase “the bitter fruit of a false gospel.” What do you discern to be expressions of a “false gospel in our culture today?”
Empathy lessons from a penguin and his caregiver by Rubén Arjona
Questions:
- What intrigues you most about this story of a man’s interaction with a penguin?
- If you could interview Tom Michell, what questions would you ask him about his relationship with Juan Salvado?
- The author writes about the similarities and differences between sympathy and empathy. How does his treatment of these two related words connect with your understanding of sympathy and empathy?
- Reread the section, “Empathy, an invitation to connect across differences” on page 25. What are some insights that ring true for you?
- What are some ways you have experienced empathy toward others? Have you had an experience of someone connecting empathetically with you? If so, how would you describe that experience?
