Small Group Discussion

Opening Question:

Icebreaker Question

• Share about a time when doing the right thing cost you something (a friendship, opportunity, comfort, etc.). How did you handle it?

Key Takeaways:

• Mercy isn’t niceness—it’s compassion that moves toward people who don’t deserve it, refusing to let their failure be the final chapter
• Purity of character means being the same person everywhere—at church, at home, at work, and online
• Peacemaking requires conflict—sometimes you have to go to war to make real peace
• Persecution isn’t always a sign you’re doing something wrong—it can be confirmation you’re living like Jesus
• Custom peace from Satan feels comfortable but leads to destruction—real peace from God often costs us something

Discussion Questions:

Part 1: Understanding Mercy

1. Read Ephesians 2:4-5. If we’ve received such incredible mercy from God, why do you think we struggle to extend it to others?
2. Practical Challenge: Is there someone in your life right now who needs mercy from you? What’s holding you back from extending it?

Part 2: Purity and Character

1. The pastor asked: “If people saw you on Tuesday, are you acting the same way you’re acting on Sunday?” How would you honestly answer this question?
2. Where in your life are you most tempted to compromise your integrity? (At work? With finances? In relationships? Online vs. offline?)

Part 3: Peacemaking vs. Peacekeeping

1. What’s the difference between a peacemaker and a peacekeeper? Give examples of each from your own life or relationships.
2. Read Matthew 10:34-36. How does Jesus’ statement that He “didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword” fit with Him calling us to be peacemakers?
3. Where in your life are you keeping peace instead of making peace? (Marriage? Parenting? Friendships? Small group? Workplace?)