God Is: Week 2

BREAK THE ICE

When is a time you thought you were going to be in trouble, but you received mercy instead?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

1. What is mercy? How would you explain it to a friend?

2.Read John 8:1-11. What did the woman in this story deserve, based on these verses? How did Jesus show this woman mercy?

John: 1-11

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

3. Look back at verse 11. Does mercy mean that God does not care if we sin? How do you know this?

4. Read Romans 8:1. What does this verse teach people mercy and those who are followers of Christ?

Romans 8:1

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

5. Do you think it is easy or difficult to accept God’s mercy? Why or why not?

6. Have you ever experienced God’s mercy when you chose to follow Him? If so, describe that time? If not, what is holding you back?

MOVING FORWARD

Because God is merciful, we, too, are called to show mercy because we are His followers. Is there a situation where you need to show mercy to someone even when it feels like they do not deserve it? (Do not share names here, but just the situation!) Tell your group. After everyone has shared, ask God to help each one of you show His mercy to the people in your lives.