Showing Mercy To Your Family | 1 Cor 13:4-8 | LifeGroup Study Guide

May 8, 2022 | by Mike Prah

SHOWING MERCY TO YOUR FAMILY | 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8
LIFEGROUP MEETING GUIDE
Week of May 8, 2022 | Pastor Mike Prah

SERMON OVERVIEW

One of the most challenging places to show mercy is with our family members. Family members can hurt each other in especially challenging ways. There are at least 4 ways we can show mercy at home: 1) by overlooking irritations and offenses; 2) by being kind when they don't deserve it—but need it; 3) by letting go of past hurts, and 4) by believing God is working in the lives of others.

A. OPEN YOUR SESSION WITH PRAYER

B. ICE BREAKER

Take time to share what's going on in your life, testimonies, or upcoming events. Recognize birthdays and anniversaries. And/or select Icebreaker questions to discuss.

C. BIBLE DISCUSSION: PICK THE POINTS YOU WANT TO DISCUSS

I. REVIEWING SERMON MESSAGE

(a). What fresh insight did you learn from the sermon?

(b). What Bible verse cited in the message stands out to you the most? Why?

II: PERSONALIZING SERMON MESSAGE

(a). What did you hear that encouraged or reassured you?

(b). How did the message increase your love for God or Jesus Christ?

III: ENCOURAGING APPLICATION OF THE SERMON

(a). If we diligently apply the message, what effect would it have on your personal lives and walk with Christ?

Let's take a quiz and then discuss …

QUIZ: HOW MERCIFUL AM I WITH MY SPOUSE, SIBBLING OR FAMILY MEMBERS?

Gets some details wrong while telling a story, do I …

— Interrupt them and correct them publicly?

__ Say nothing and let it go, knowing I’ve done the same?

Keeps making the same mistake over and over, do I …

__ Become irritated & angry at them?

__ Graciously forgive them and pray for them?

Is getting more attention than I think they deserve, do I …

__ Feel resentful & feel the need to bring them down a notch?

__ Celebrate with them?

Says or does something I don’t understand, do I …

__ Assume they have the best motive for doing it?

__ Question their motive or think the worst?

Am I more polite with ___ strangers OR ___ my own family?

SECTION 4: DIGGING DEEPER

Pastor Mike said, “The answer to treating people the way God wants is to treat them with MERCY.”

What does this teaching mean to you?

"Lord … I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need your help Lord, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should." Psalm 101:1-2 (LB)

In what way can you relate to King David's prayer in Psalm 101:1-2

MERCY IS LOVE IN ACTION

"Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. Love is not boastful or proud. Love is not rude. Love is not self-seeking. Love is not irritable or easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil. Love rejoices with the truth. Love is always supportive. Love always trusts. Love is always hopeful. Love always perseveres and never gives up. Love never fails. It never ends." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"Love is not irritable or easily angered." 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT+NIV)

Pastor Mike said, “Anger is part of human life. There is good anger and bad anger. We must learn to control our anger and use it wisely.” What does this teaching mean to you?
What does it mean to be "easily angered" in 1 Corinthians 13:5?
Share from your own experience a time when someone overlooked your offenses. How did you feel?

"Love is kind and patient … Love is always supportive." 1 Corinthians 13:4, 7 (CEV)

How does your relationship with Jesus help you to be kind to someone who isn't kind to you?
According to 1 Corinthians 13:4,7, what would be good advice to give to someone struggling to be patient and loving to an unlovable family member or friend?
Is it more important to maintain a relationship with another person or always be right? Why?

"Love doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do." 1 Corinthians 13:5d (CEV)

Recall a time when you argued with someone, and they gave you a "laundry list" of mistakes you may have done. How did it affect your relationship?
Why is it a good idea to practice 1 Corinthians 13:5d with your family members?

Love is not rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges." 1 Corinthians 13: 5 (LB)

When someone is rude to you, how should you react according to 1 Corinthians 13:5?
Share an event from your past in which someone was either kind or rude to you and how this experience shaped your behavior toward others.

Pastor Mike said, “when someone does you wrong, don’t repeat it, delete it! How do you let it go?

- Don’t rehearse it in your mind! (resentment)

- Don’t keep bringing it back up (relational weapon)

- Don’t tell other people about it! (gossip)

What does this teaching mean to you?

Psychologists observe that "hurt people hurt people." What does it mean to you, and how can you prevent the cycle of hurt from continuing?

D. PRAYER TIME - PRAYER POINTS

Pray for each LifeGroup member to respond positively to this message and follow through in the application.
Ask for prayer requests and pray for the individual needs of your group.
Closing Prayer

THANKS FOR COMING! INVITE FRIENDS & COME BACK NEXT WEEK! PLEASE REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT TO YOUR MEETING. GOD BLESS YOU!