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?
A Woman Caught in Adultery
1Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
6They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
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- How did Jesus show this woman mercy?
- Look back at verse 11. Does mercy mean that God does not care if we sin? How do you know this?
- Read Romans 8:1. What does this verse teach people mercy and those who are followers of Christ?
Life in the Spirit
1So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
- Do you think it is easy or difficult to accept God’s mercy? Why or why not?
- 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.
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