Series: The Attributes of God
Discipleship Group Questions for discussion:
When you think of mercy, can you think of a time in your life when you felt like you had received mercy in a particular circumstance?
Why are we more prone to highlight the seemingly worse errors of others when we come before a particular standard or representative of that standard? For example, two people speeding, one going five miles over the speed limit feels better about himself than the one going 20 miles over the limit when they both pass the police officer.
Do you agree that a temptation to self-righteousness today is along the lines of comparing ourselves with the worst of the worst as a means to justify ourselves before God rather than presenting our scrupulous piety? That is, God is going to be more distracted with the violent and insolent than he will with me, the occasional light weight sinner.
Do you know anyone like that? How would you bring the gospel to bear in their self evaluation and ultimately self exaltation? Read: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
In what ways are you tempted to trust in yourself before God apart from the imputed righteousness of Christ?
When you think of God’s mercy as His tender affection and disposition to alleviate those in their misery, do you think of your sin foremost and what it ultimately earns you for eternity as the most “miserable” of circumstances?
In what ways does this parable highlight God’s mercy in our justification?
In what areas of your life or relationships do you need to grow in being a more merciful person, one who has been shown ultimate mercy in receiving forgiveness and being clothed in Jesus Christ’s righteousness? Read: Matthew 18:21-24