So Much Mercy (part 2)
Merry Christmastime, friends! Be sure to plan something fun to do together as a group. Here’s a list of delightful options:
Go for a walk in downtown Round Rock to see the lights. Grab a coffee at Star Coffee. Take a picture by the big tree.
Decorate Christmas cookies.
Go caroling (consider stopping by some of our older members’ homes).
Watch a corny Christmas movie (and play Christmas movie bingo--Google it; it’s a thing).
Find a way to serve together (help a family with Christmas expenses, put up lights at someone’s home, make a meal at the Ronald McDonald house).
After this week, small group discussion guides will be suspended until January 5th.
TO DISCUSS
On Sunday we finished the story of God, Jonah, and Jonah’s least favorite people. Did you learn anything new? Were you reminded of anything interesting? Any surprises?
This week we’re talking enemies. It’s unlikely you’d be quick to rattle off a list of enemies, but remember it’s not having enemies that’s wrong--it’s refusing to love them. Jesus assumes you probably have some. Go ahead and share one or two groups of people (or type of person) you find yourself opposed to. Who do you disagree with? Who are you in competition with? Who are your rivals? Who’s trying to take something from you? This can be as light-hearted (football rivalries) or as serious (the person who killed your niece) as you’d like.
(Remember, this has the potential to offend other group members. Be gentle and know that you may have opponents even in your group. Speak with love.)
In Jonah chapters 3 and 4 we learn that despite his pronouncement to destroy Nineveh, in response to their repentance God chooses to forgive the Ninevites.
What do we learn about God from his change of plans?
Has God ever offered you mercy when you knew you deserved punishment?
Have you ever repented in a significant and public way? Have you ever seen someone do that? Why might repentance like that make an impression on God?
After the Ninevites repent and God offers mercy we read this: “But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.”
What do you think is going on in Jonah’s mind and heart? Imagine you’re Jonah and explain your bad mood.
Have you ever been angry about God’s mercy for other people? Have you ever wished God would punish someone? Have you ever wished God wouldn’t forgive someone?
Share with the group and explain why you felt that way.
Who might God be calling you to go to with mercy? Who do you need to forgive? Who do you need to make peace with? Who doesn’t deserve your love but would be blessed by it anyway?
Justin said in his sermon, “Maybe our problem is that we’re not willing to accept God’s mercy. He should be stricter. Maybe our problem is that we’re not willing to accept God’s judgment. He should be nicer.”
Which is harder for you: accepting mercy or accepting God’s judgement on those who choose not to follow him?
TO READ
This week’s scripture reading is multiple choice! Pick one passage to read together. What does it mean? What’s it about? How does it relate to what we’ve been talking about? What’s God’s challenge for us in this passage? What do you find especially convicting?
Read Psalm 25 or Romans 12:14-21.
TO PRAY
This week let’s pray for people with whom we disagree or people we oppose in some way (our enemies, rivals, and opponents).
It might be uncomfortable, but go ahead and make a list of people who need your prayers--particularly people who (for whatever reason) aren’t your closest friends. Then, of course, pray the prayers. Live love.