Showing Mercy

LIFEGROUP MEETING GUIDE

SHOWING MERCY TO YOUR FAMILY

Mike Prah – Week of May 12, 2019

 

SERMON OVERVIEW:

One of the hardest places to show mercy is right within the walls of our own homes. Family members hurt and are hurt by each other in ways that are especially challenging. There are at least four ways we can show mercy at home: 1) by overlooking irritations and offenses; 2) by being kind when they don’t deserve it—but need it; 3) by letting go of past hurts; and 4) by believing God is working in the lives of others.

A. OPEN YOUR SESSION WITH PRAYER.

B. ICE BREAKER:

Take some time to share what’s going on in your life, testimonies and upcoming events. Recognize birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions of your group members

C. BIBLE DISCUSSION: PICK A FEW POINTS FROM EACH SECTION TO DISCUSS.

 

SECTION 1: REVIEWING SERMON MESSAGE

(a). What fresh insight did you learn from the sermon?

(b). What Bible verse cited in the message stands out to you the most? Why?

 

SECTION 2: PERSONALIZING SERMON MESSAGE

(a). What did you hear that encouraged or reassured you?

(b). How did the message increase your love for God or Jesus Christ?

 

SECTION 3:  ENCOURAGING APPLICATION OF THE SERMON

(a). If we diligently apply the message, what effect would it have on your personal lives and your walk with Christ?

 

Let’s take a quiz and then discuss …

 

QUIZ: HOW MERCIFUL AM I WITH MY FAMILY?

When my spouse or sibling or another family member….

 

o Gets some details wrong while telling a story, do I

__ Interrupt them and correct them publicly?  OR __ Say nothing and let it go, knowing I’ve done the same?

 

o Keeps making the same mistake over and over, do I

__ Become irritated & angry at them? OR __ Graciously forgive them and pray for them?

 

o Is getting more attention than I think they deserve, do I

__ Feel resentful & feel the need to bring them down a notch? OR  _ Celebrate with them?

 

o Says or does something I don’t understand, do I

__ Assume they have the best motive for doing it? OR __ Question their motive or think the worst?

 

o Am I more polite with ___ strangers OR ___ my own family?

 

SECTION 4:  DIGGING DEEPER

“Lord … I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need your help Lord, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should.” Psalm 101:1-2 (LB)

– In what way can you relate on King David’s prayer in Psalm 101:1-2

 

MERCY IS LOVE IN ACTION

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love is not boastful or proud. Love is not rude. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not irritable or easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil. Love rejoices with the truth. Love is always supportive. Love always trusts. Love is always hopeful. Love always perseveres and never gives up. Love never fails. It never ends.”

 

“Love is not irritable or easily angered.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT+NIV)

– Define the kind of anger 1 Corinthians 13:5 is talking about.

– Share from your own experience a time when someone overlooked your offenses. How did you feel?

 

“Love is kind and patient … Love is always supportive.” 1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 (CEV)

– How does your relationship with Jesus help you be kind to someone who isn’t kind to you?

– What would be a good advice to give to someone who is struggling to be patient and loving to an unlovable family member or friend?

 

– Is it more important, to maintain a relationship with another person or just to be right? Why?

 

“Love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do.” 1 Corinthians 13:5d (CEV)

– Recall a time when you had an argument with someone and they gave you a “laundry list” of mistakes you may have done. How did it affect your relationship?

– Why is it a good idea to practice 1 Corinthians 13:5d with your family members?

 

Love is not rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges.”   1 Corinthians 13:5 (LB)

– When someone is rude to you, how should you react?

– Share an event from your past in which someone was either kind or rude to you and how this experience shaped your future behavior.

 

D. PRAYER TIME – PRAYER POINTS

–  Pray for each LifeGroup member to respond positively to this message and follow-through in the application.

– Ask for prayer requests and pray for the individual needs of your group.

–  Closing Prayer

 

THANKS FOR COMING!  INVITE FRIENDS & COME BACK NEXT WEEK! PLEASE REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT TO YOUR MEETING. GOD BLESS YOU!