MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390

I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups

Dig Deeper:
1. Read Matthew 5:1-6. Of the first four beatitudes we’ve looked at in this series, which one has resonated with you the most? Why?
2. Read Mattthew 5:7. What is mercy? Define and discuss this word.
3. Is mercy ever confused with anything else? Why? How might we misuse mercy?
4. Read Ephesians 2:4-5. How is Jesus the full embodiment of mercy?
5. Read Luke 10:25-29. Why does the man ask these questions? What does he want the answer to be?
6. Read Luke 10:30-37. Discuss the many ways in which the Samaritan expressed mercy in this passage.
7. Describe a time when you’ve seen someone compassionately move towards another person. How did they display mercy?
8. Based on Luke 10, who is your “neighbor”? Think of at least one person who is your neighbor who needs mercy. How can you show that person mercy this week?
9. Do we see mercy in our culture often? Why or why not? If not mercy, what do we see in our culture?
10. How does mercy move someone towards people in pain?
11. What must a person do to deserve mercy?
12. Read Matthew 18:32-35. Who is the servant in this passage? Who is the master? What is the relationship between mercy and forgiveness?
13. Describe a time when you’ve seen someone mercifully forgive someone else. How did they display this mercy?
14. Read Ephesians 4:32. What does it mean to live a lifestyle of forgiveness (releasing the person(s) to God for the hurt they have caused)?
15. Can someone who hasn’t received mercy show mercy to others?
16. If we show mercy to others, are they required to be merciful back? Why or why not? What is the purpose of showing others mercy? How is possible to show others mercy?
17. Read 1 Timothy 1:13-16. How does Paul show us how to richly live out a life that displays mercy? How does God’s mercy lead us on mission?
18. Have you ever witnessed an act of mercy being a pivotal moment in someone’s life, perhaps someone who was far from God?
19. Read Lamentations 3:22-23. Why should our mercy for others be ongoing every day?
20. How did Jesus exemplify this beatitude while living on this earth?
21. How can we daily live out this beatitude in order for God to receive all the glory?

Live It Out:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Who in your life needs God’s mercy shown through you? If you are a follower of Jesus, reflect on when you first experienced the mercy of Christ. How did it change your life? How does He continually show you mercy? This week, focus on how you can:

1. Compassionately move towards others. Identify one person in your life who is difficult for you to show mercy to but desperately needs your compassion. Why is it challenging for you to show this person mercy? Pray to God, asking Him to change your heart so that you can show mercy, too.
2. Mercy graciously forgives. Forgiven people forgive people. Who do you need to mercifully forgive? Identify one person in your life who you need to forgive…someone who has wronged you. Write down all the ways in which you feel you have been wronged. Then right next to that, write down all the ways that Jesus has forgiven you. Create a lifestyle of forgiveness by consistently praying to God to have a heart of forgiveness because of what Christ has done for you.
3. Mercy radically transforms people far from God. Showing mercy is evidence that we have received mercy from God. We must first receive mercy before we can give mercy. Let God’s mercy lead you on mission! Our mission as a church is to help people find and follow Jesus Christ, here and around the world. This week and beyond, remember to live on mission by having a heart for those who don’t yet know Jesus. Find ways to invite and invest in the lives of your neighbors.

Reading Plan:

Monday: Matthew 5:1-7
Tuesday: Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 4:32
Wednesday: Luke 10:25-29
Thursday: Luke 10:30-37
Friday: Matthew 18:32-35
Saturday: 1 Timothy 1:13-16, Lamentations 3:22-23