{"id":5493,"date":"2014-11-18T19:30:59","date_gmt":"2014-11-19T00:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=5493"},"modified":"2015-09-29T19:32:47","modified_gmt":"2015-09-30T00:32:47","slug":"november-23-2014-how-can-we-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/november-23-2014-how-can-we-help\/","title":{"rendered":"November 23, 2014–How Can We Help?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash, Palatine, IL<\/p>\n

\u200b<\/p>\n

Warm-up Question<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

What is it that motivates you to help other people?<\/p>\n

How Can We Help?
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There are people in need all around us. Some of the need is very obvious and draws our attention. Some of the ways to help draw our attention and become fun \u2013 think of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from this past summer or the fun that you have together doing things like Walk-a-Thons and Bake Sales. Helping can be fun and we can sometimes see the benefits of our efforts right away. We can see the people gather food they need from a food pantry; we can be thanked by those who receive our care.<\/p>\n

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But often, helping is a little bit more hidden. A recent article in the Huffington Post illustrates that sometimes that\u2019s because the need is hidden. In this column<\/a>, a Chicago school-teacher writes about the chronic but largely hidden problem of homeless high school students. Helping in this situation is more difficult. It\u2019s hard to know what to do and how to make an impact. Even if you can help, you might not see the obvious results right in front of you. It\u2019s hard to know whom to help when people are unwilling (for understandable reasons) to let you know they need help.<\/p>\n

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Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n