OUr Faithful and Merciful King

Our Faithful and Merciful King

By Richard Smith

4-20-25

*NOTICE: The emphasis of our discussion is to see how the Written Word (Bible) and the Spoken Word (Preaching) work together to build up the believer, so when you see WORD in the questions, know it refers to the Scripture and the Sermon.

Recap: Look back for evidence of God’s word reshaping your heart and life.

1. Have you made any adjustments in the last week to create margin in your life for living on mission for the sake of the thousands in our city who currently are not following Christ?

Engage:  Look into the Word of God in light of Sunday’s preached sermon.

2. Read Hebrews 2:17-18 and discuss how the dual nature of Christ being “merciful and faithful” impacts your view of Him and your relationship with God.

3. Read Mark 16 as a group and discuss your initial observations of the text and sermon.

Reflect: Look deeper at the preached and written Word.

4. Reflect on the analogy of God’s mercy being like a waterfall – how might this image change how you approach honest confession and repentance?

5. How does the story of Jesus commissioning the disciples despite their unbelief challenge our assumptions about who God can use?

6. How does the resurrection of Jesus provide hope and assurance in the face of life’s challenges and uncertainties?

Respond: Look ahead and around to see how you can be obedient and missional.

7. What areas of your life currently need “resurrection power” and how should you respond with the hope from Sunday’s Word?

8. In light of Richard’s analogy of the pit and the unique response of Christ to our suffering and sin, who might you know that is experiencing life in the pit today? How can you—in mercy and compassion—enter their pit this week?