“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11)

QUESTION: What impact is the series having on your faith so far?
Poor-Mourn-Meek-Hunger-Merciful

1. Old Covenant

hesed: steadfast love, Psalm 89.28
hanan: undeserved help, Psalm 103.8
raham: empathic love, Isaiah 13:18; 49:15; Psalm 18:1

God is ‘the Father of mercies’ – 2 Cor. 1:3; Ex. 34:6; Ne. 9:17; Pss. 86:15; 103:8–14; Joel 2:13; Jonah. 4:2.

2. New Covenant

  • Salvation: Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5
  • Jesus: John 11.33, 38
  • Discipleship: Luke 6:36; Matthew 18:21ff; Colossians 3:12; James 2:13

“Grace answers to the undeserving, mercy answers to the miserable.”

QUESTION: What Biblical examples can you think of?

3. Tolerance
1 Samuel 15

QUESTION: What is the difference between patience and tolerance?

4. Living Mercifully
QUESTION: What does mercy look like in daily life?

  • G
  • P
  • E
  • C
  • G
  • P
  • R

How can we develop a merciful spirit?

  1. Reflect
  2. Repent
  3. Notice

QUESTION: How will this verse affect the way you live this week?

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John