Show mercy the same way the Good Samaritan did, by deeds, not merely with a spoken word.

• Simply giving money or other material goods to those in need--unless it is an immediate emergency-- makes the problem worse, by creating dependency and confirming the people in their own minds that they are victims. This mind set is hard to cure.

Find in 1 John 3:16-18 God's rule for dealing with those in need.

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T&M Student Activity Guide page 15a, 18a, 34a

There are several ways to learn of social needs that the believers can help meet, such as:

• Social workers know of many, as to school officials and police departments.
• Other religious leaders are sometimes keen to see people get help, even from Christians.
• Government census and survey reports are sometimes reliable.
• Your own members are aware of many social needs and can agree on which are the more pressing.
• A health, nutrition or sanitation expert can often signal big needs by doing a walk through a village or neighborhood.
• Focus group meetings with community members can usually reveal the most pressing needs.
• And a scientific survey can measure the importance of needs and the effect of a social program in a population.