Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Matthew 5:7), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• What is mercy? Can someone deserve to receive mercy?

• God is merciful (Ex. 34:6; Ps. 86:15; 103:8). Is this hard to believe? Have you received his mercy? What has that meant to you? Can you think of an occasion when God’s mercy has been wonderful to you? What is most remarkable about God’s mercy to you? What is the result of receiving God’s mercy?

• “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:38). “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Col. 3:13; see also Eph. 4:32; Matt. 18:21-22). Does the mercy of Jesus seem good to you? How about when you think of other people who have wronged you? Do you think it’s good to be kind to your enemies, or to sacrifice for those who cannot repay you? When you think of how others might have hurt you by sinning against you, do you think of how you have hurt Jesus by sinning against him? If he didn’t forgive you, where would you be? Are you able to extend mercy to others for Jesus’ sake?

• FOR THE CHILDREN: Maybe you have a brother or sister or cousin or friend who has been mean to you. Is it easy to be kind to them when they are mean to you? If Jesus wants you to be kind to them, would you try? Why would you want to be kind to someone who was mean to you?