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SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

*CONVERSATION STARTER*a
Can you share a time when you were on the receiving end of someone’s mercy? What impact did they have on you?

DEEPER

Read Romans 12:4-8

Definition: The spiritual gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy and to care for those who are hurting in any way.

Read Luke 10:25-37. What are some modern parallels to the priest and Levite in this story—people who “pass by”? In what ways are we sometimes tempted to pass by instead of stopping? Why do you think this is the case and how can we begin to shift our mindset to that of being cheerfully merciful?

Read Matthew 20:29–34 & Mark 6:34–37. Jesus often allowed himself to be interrupted in order to show mercy. How do you typically respond to interruptions? What do you think it would take to become more attentive to interruptions as potential invitations from God?

While mercy may not be your spiritual gift, how might God be calling you to express mercy through the unique gifts he has given you? In what ways can mercy enhance or shape the way you use your other gifts?

Are there particular types of needs (emotional, physical, relational, financial) that stir your heart more than others? How might God be inviting you to act on that compassion?

What would it look like for your Life Group to grow in being more merciful — both toward each other and toward the rest of our church family?

Are there people you know within the church who might need the kind of care our deacons offer? How can we pray for or help them as a group? Upon answering this question, Life Group leaders are encouraged to reach out to their coaches to discuss ways Gateway Church could potentially care for these individuals.

What stood out to you in this week’s sermon? What were your biggest takeaways?

Prayer activity: Break up into smaller groups and
1. Spend time thanking God for his mercy toward us in Christ
2. Ask God to open your eyes to those who are hurting or in need.
3. Pray for the courage to stop for those “interruptions” and serve with cheerful mercy
4. Thank God for the deacons (and/or other specific members) of Gateway and the ways he is working through them to build up our church family.

NOTES

DISCIPLINES
Pray: Ask God to fill your heart with cheerful mercy and to help you to recognize opportunities to be merciful to others.

Read: Ministries of Mercy, The Call of the Jericho Road by Tim Keller.

Write: Write down any questions you might have from the sermon and submit them to the website to be answered in a future podcast.

Sing: Listen to the worship songs from Sunday throughout the week. Look up the lyrics to each song and spend some time reading them.

Memorize: Lamentations 3:22-23

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