Definition and Importance
Individual attention refers to the personal care, guidance, and focus given to a single person. In the context of the Bible, it highlights God's personal relationship with individuals, His intimate knowledge of each person, and the unique calling and purpose He has for every life. This concept underscores the value of each person in the eyes of God and the personal nature of His love and guidance.

Biblical Examples

1. God's Knowledge of Individuals
The Bible frequently emphasizes God's intimate knowledge of each person. Psalm 139:1-4 states, "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD." This passage illustrates God's comprehensive understanding of each individual's life, thoughts, and actions.

2. Jesus' Ministry
Jesus exemplified individual attention throughout His ministry. He often engaged with people on a personal level, addressing their specific needs and circumstances. In John 4, Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well, revealing His knowledge of her life and offering her living water. This encounter demonstrates His willingness to reach out to individuals, regardless of social or cultural barriers.

3. Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
In Luke 15:3-7 , Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep: "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?" This parable highlights the value of each individual to God and His desire to seek and save the lost. Similarly, the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) emphasizes the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, underscoring the importance of each person.

4. God's Calling and Purpose
The Bible teaches that God has a specific plan and purpose for each individual. Jeremiah 29:11 declares, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This assurance of God's personal plan for each life is echoed in Ephesians 2:10 : "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."

5. Personal Prayer and Relationship
The practice of prayer is a key aspect of individual attention, as it allows for personal communication with God. Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:6 : "But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This instruction emphasizes the personal and private nature of prayer, fostering a direct and intimate relationship with God.

Theological Implications

The concept of individual attention in the Bible reveals the personal nature of God's love and His desire for a relationship with each person. It affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This understanding encourages believers to seek a personal relationship with God, trust in His unique plan for their lives, and extend the same individual care and attention to others, reflecting God's love in their interactions.