Kingdom Influence Part 11 with Discussion Guide

BySteve

Kingdom Influence Part 11 Discussion Guide

Summary

Pastor Steve continues the Kingdom Influence series by exploring the fifth Beatitude: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.’ He explains that mercy is a compassionate response to human need that flows outward from those who have received God’s mercy. Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, he demonstrates that mercy involves three key actions: seeing distress, feeling compassion, and acting to help. The pastor emphasizes that mercy requires us to be aware of people around us rather than treating them as scenery or machinery in our lives.

The message challenges listeners to allow mercy to interrupt their plans when opportunities arise to help others. Pastor Steve shares a personal story from 1991 when he stopped to help a stranded motorist while on a youth ministry trip, illustrating how God sometimes presents better opportunities than our planned activities. He concludes by noting that as we show mercy to others, we position ourselves to receive more mercy from God, creating a beautiful cycle of grace. The ultimate example of mercy is Jesus himself, who saw our brokenness, had compassion on us, and acted to save us through the cross.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today grateful for Your abundant mercy in our lives. As we gather to study Your Word and learn about what it means to be merciful people, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us. Help us to see ourselves clearly as recipients of Your grace and mercy, and show us how to extend that same mercy to others. Lord, prepare our hearts to be challenged, encouraged, and transformed by Your truth today. We surrender our own agendas and ask that You would speak to us through Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s one act of kindness or mercy that someone showed you recently that really made a difference in your day?

Key Verses

  • Matthew 5:7
  • Colossians 3:12-13
  • Luke 10:25-37
  • Matthew 9:12-13

Questions

  • How would you define mercy in your own words, and how is it different from grace?
  • In the parable of the Good Samaritan, why do you think the priest and Levite passed by on the other side? What might prevent us from showing mercy today?
  • Pastor Steve mentioned that mercy ‘sees, feels, and acts.’ Which of these three aspects do you find most challenging in your own life?
  • Can you think of a time when showing mercy to someone interrupted your plans? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?
  • The pastor shared that we sometimes treat people as ‘scenery’ or ‘machinery’ in our lives. What are some practical ways we can become more aware of the people around us who might need mercy?
  • Jesus said ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ What do you think this means for how we live out our faith today?
  • How does understanding the mercy God has shown us motivate us to be merciful toward others?
  • Who in your life might God be calling you to show mercy to right now? What would that look like practically?

Life Application

This week, ask God to make you more aware of opportunities to show mercy to others. Choose one specific person who has hurt you or someone you’ve been avoiding, and take a step toward showing them mercy – whether through prayer, forgiveness, a kind word, or a helpful action. Remember that mercy doesn’t erase truth but refuses to let judgment have the final word.

Key Takeaways

  • Mercy is a compassionate response to human need that flows from those who have received God’s mercy
  • Mercy involves three actions: seeing distress, feeling compassion, and acting to help
  • We must be careful not to treat people as scenery or machinery in our lives, but truly see them as individuals in need of mercy
  • Sometimes God’s best opportunities for us require interrupting our planned activities to show mercy to others
  • As we show mercy to others, we position ourselves to receive more mercy from God, creating a beautiful cycle of grace

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the ultimate example of mercy to us. You saw our brokenness, felt compassion for our condition, and acted decisively to save us through Your death and resurrection. Help us to live as people who have truly received Your mercy. Open our eyes to see the needs around us, soften our hearts to feel compassion, and give us courage to act with mercy toward others. Forgive us for the times we’ve passed by on the other side, and help us to go and do likewise as You have shown us. May our lives be marked by the same mercy You have shown us. In Your precious name, Amen.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

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