Every Christian has received God’s merciful compassion (Luke 1:78), and Paul says God is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4). God isn’t stingy. He doesn’t ration His mercy to save enough for a rainy day. No, God is pouring out His mercy on us even now. It never ends. You can use up all you need today and there will still be more in the morning (Lam. 3:22-23).
But what exactly is God’s mercy? God’s mercy is His forgiving care of us—springing from, as Paul says in Ephesians 2:4, “his great love that he had for us.”
God’s mercy is His never-ending love for us, the undeserving. Looking upon us in our sin, God chose to forgive us in His Son. His mercy brought us near. We need a love like that—a love that’s near. Distant love, no matter how sincere, cannot change us. All life-changing love must be warmingly close. The love of God is that kind of love—an all-encompassing, all-sufficient, all-surpassing love. And it’s ours because of His mercy.
That’s what the lepers cried out to Jesus to receive. And He came near to give it to them.
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults
Every week for Volume 4: From Captivity to the Wilderness, Ken Braddy, Lifeway’s director of Sunday School, will offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Adults.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Students
Every week, student ministry leaders offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Students. Listen in as he shares:
- The main point of the session
- Any challenges and opportunities for additional discussion that may arise during this session
- Encouragements for leaders
Podcast (studentsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
A Final Reminder
Don’t forget, you can find tools to help you prepare and lead the discussion in the Additional Resources for this volume. We hope these are a blessing to you as you walk through this session together.
*This week’s leader devotional is written by David McLemore. It is adapted from the daily devotions for Unit 22, Session 1 from The Gospel Project for Adults’ Daily Discipleship Guide.
