Small Group Questions: Blessed - Lord Have Mercy

Read:

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. —Matthew 5:7

1.) What does mercy mean to you? Share about a time you chose to show someone mercy.

Leaders Note: Merciful – full of pity, compassionate. Acting consistently with the revelation of God’s covenant.

2.) Pastor Jeff said, “Mercy is more than an attitude, it is an action toward others fueled by love.” How do mercy and love go together? Is it possible to show mercy to someone without love?
3.) Do you believe there is anyone beyond God’s mercy regardless of what they have done?

Read:

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. —Romans 12:13, 15

There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. —James 2:13

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. ¹⁴ He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. —Colossians 2:13-15

Ask:

1.) How well do Christians do today at showing mercy to people in need? Where do you believe the church needs to get better?

2.) Have you ever considered that mercy is practiced when we simply sit with others in their grief, or celebrate with others in their joy? How is that showing mercy to people?

This mercy extends itself next to the full forgiveness of all personal offenses against ourselves. “Blessed are the merciful,” that is, those persons who do not take to heart any injuries that are done them, any insults, intended or unintended. —Charles Spurgeon

3.) Do you agree with Spurgeon’s belief that extending mercy to others should include, “all personal offenses against ourselves?”

4.) How can we extend mercy towards others who have hurt us in the same way that Jesus has extended His mercy towards us?

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in me. —C.S. Lewis

Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is worse. But the worst of all is that without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left. —Max Lucado

5.) How can we extend mercy to people who do not believe in Jesus and live lives completely opposite of God’s desire?

Apply:

1.) What is one thing from this message that stood out to you the most?
2.) Everyone has someone who needs mercy. Who is that for you? How can your small group be praying for you this week, so that you will begin to see spiritual growth in the area of mercy?