Initiate

A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.

Interact

After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others. 

Invite the participants to review the question and the six reasons below about why people don’t act on the big problems in life. What do you think is the main reason that people don’t act?

People hesitate to tackle big problems in life for several reasons:

1. Overwhelm: The sheer scale of the problem can feel daunting, making it seem impossible to make a difference.
2. Fear of Failure: Concerns about not being able to succeed can prevent people from even trying.
3. Lack of Resources: Limited time, money, or support can make it hard to take action.
4. Uncertainty: Not knowing where to start or what steps to take can lead to inaction.
5. Desensitization: Constant exposure to big problems can lead to apathy, making people feel that their efforts won’t matter.
6. Prioritization: People often focus on immediate, smaller issues that feel more manageable rather than tackling larger, systemic problems.

As you read Matthew 9:34-38, consider the simplicity and the challenge of the Master Plan that Jesus offers.

Insight

The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.

Then participants are to ask:

1. What is going on in this passage of Scripture?
2. What are the key words and phrases? Highlight them.
3. Why do you think this passage is included in the Bible?
4. What does it contribute to our “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ”?

34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”

The Workers Are Few

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Download PDF of  Matthew 9:34-38

Throughout history, Jesus modeled two main types of action: 1) teaching, proclaiming, and healing, and 2) encouraging people to be compassionate agents of God’s kingdom. It’s a simple call to action.

The master plan of Jesus always included inviting disciples to do what He did and do it with His Spirit (His heart). John 14:12 demonstrates the commitment to His plan.

When Jesus saw the crowds, He was moved by compassion. This word for compassion is splanchnizo in the Greek language, and it is a medical term—it means your intestines or guts twist or cry out to the point where you must act on the pain.

For example, Jesus felt compassion for a widow mourning her son (Luke 7:13) and acted. He showed compassion to a leper by touching and healing him (Mark 1:40-42). In all four Gospels, Jesus’s actions were driven by compassion, especially when feeding the thousands.

The goal is not just for Jesus to respond to a broken world, but for more people to act with that same compassion, embodying His spirit. Maybe this is what it means to be in Christ!