FOSTERING A HEART OF MERCY

Biblical Perspective on Who Needs Mercy
   1. Those that have nothing the____________________ _______________________
         a. Proverbs 10:15, Proverbs 14:20, Proverbs 19:4-19:7
   2. Those that ___________________ but it is ___________________________ away
         a. Psalm 10:2, Psalm 12:5, Matthew/5:3/Luke 6:2, Isaiah 10:1-2, Luke 20 45-46
   3. Our ______________________________
         a. Matthew 25:40, 1 John 3:17-18, James 2:15-16
   4. Our_______________________________
         a. Hebrews 13: 1-2, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 5:16, Luke 6:27-31, Luke 10:25-37, Galatians            6:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, James 1:27, Romans 13:8-10, Romans 15:1—4

Mercy’s role
     1. ____________________ ____________________________
           a. Romans 9:23, 1 Peter 2:12, John 13:35
           b. Lausanne Covenant (# 5)
     2. _____________________ our __________________________
           a. James 1: 22-27. Matthew 25:40, Luke 10:37

Motivations for Mercy
    1. ___________________________________________
        a. Isa 58:6-8, Matthew 5: 7, Matthew 25:21-23, Luke 19:17, 1 Cor 3: 12-15, 2 Cor 9:6
    2. ___________________________________________
       a. Deuteronomy 15: 9, Ezekiel 16:49-50, Mark 12:38-40; 1 John 3: 16-18, James 2:13
    3. _________________ the ______________________________ motivation
       a. Luke 5: 31-32 Romans 5:6-8, Ephesian 2: 4-5, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 2:10

Reflection
    How does the relationship of mercy and justice provide insight into how we should serve as         believers?

    Which of the 4 categories of people who need assistance do you find the most difficult to              serve? Can you think of any others?

    Where would you fall in the debate between John Stott and Billy Graham?

    How can you/we show more mercy?

    Prayer
    1) Praise God for Jesus as our model and motivation
    2) Ask God to show you how you can get involved
    3) Ask God to transform our hearts and lives to reveal Jesus in all we do.

Bibliography:
  Brian Fikkert, Steve Corbett
    • When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself
    • When helping hurts: The Small Group Experience (Video-Based Study)
    • Helping without hurting in Church Benevolence: A Practical Guide to Walking with Low-    Income People
    • Helping Without Hurting in Short Term Missions

  Dr. Timothy Keller
    • Generous Justice: How God’s Grace Makes Us Just
    • Mercy Ministries: The Call of the Jericho Road

  Desiring God Ministries (desiringgod.org)
    • Doctrine Matters for Deeds of Mercy (Jonathan Parnell)
    • Treasuring Christ In Planting Churches and Loving the Poor (John Piper)
    • Put Strong Pillars Under Your Case for the Unbelieving Poor ( John Piper)

  Blog/Trainings/(rethinkmercy.org)