Grace and Mercy Bible Study
Ok, let’s mix things up. This post is a little different to normal, as this time it’s you that has to do the work for it. Below you’ll see some questions, some Bible passages to look at, some stuff to think over – all related to grace and mercy. (I’ve even thrown in a couple of pointers towards answers to help you out!) So if you are up for a bit of a Bible study then set aside some time to look over it all, and see what God has to say to you through his Word on this pretty class theme. And given that I haven’t given answers to most of the questions it would be great if you could share your thoughts in the comments section for the benefit of others – let’s try doing this as a big group online Bible study experiment. Ready? Ok, here goes:
What is grace in a Christian context?
What is mercy in a Christian context?
What is the difference?
{Grace is often distinguished from mercy in that mercy is seen as not receiving punishment that one deserves to receive, whereas grace is the receipt of a positive benefit from God that one does not deserve to receive.}
READ Ephesians 2:4-9
How are people saved? Why do we need saved?
{All have sinned…}
What does the fact that we are saved by grace tell us about God’s love?
{It’s unconditional, can’t be earned or lost Re: Romans 8}
Read Matthew 18:21-35
The first man was forgiven a debt of 10,000 talents – how long do you think it would have taken him to repay?
{ 1 talent = 60 minas
1 mina = 3 month’s wages
1 talent = 60 x (3 months’ wages) = 180 months’ wages
1 talent = 180 months’ wages / 12 months in a year = 15 years’ wages
1 talent = 15 years’ wages
Therefore 10,000 talents = 150,000 years’ wages.}
The second man owed 100 denarii – how long do you think it would have taken him to repay? 6 denarii = 1 weeks’s pay, therefore 100 denarii = just under 17 weeks to repay.
Who had the greater debt?
How do they respond to the mercy they are shown?
Who in this passage represents God? What does it tell us about his mercy?
Who from the parable are you most like when it comes to your attitude to having– the King or the man?
How can reflecting on this passage and what we ourselves have been shown mercy for help us be more merciful?
READ Genesis 50:14-21
Recap what Joseph’s brothers had put him through. Would you have been able to show them the grace and mercy he did?
Why do you think people are reluctant to show grace to others?
should we look at grace and mercy according only to that bible context? I think people got their own interpretation of what grace and mercy supposed to mean…
Sure, but this is a Christian site for putting the Christian context onto it all, it was intended as a specific look at what the Bible said about grace and mercy rather than a broad look at what grace and mercy are in the world’s view. I believe that as Christians we should always take the Bible as our ultimate authority, right?
should we look at grace and mercy according only to that bible context? I think people got their own interpretation of what grace and mercy supposed to mean…
Sure, but this is a Christian site for putting the Christian context onto it all, it was intended as a specific look at what the Bible said about grace and mercy rather than a broad look at what grace and mercy are in the world's view. I believe that as Christians we should always take the Bible as our ultimate authority, right?
Sure, but this is a Christian site for putting the Christian context onto it all, it was intended as a specific look at what the Bible said about grace and mercy rather than a broad look at what grace and mercy are in the world's view. I believe that as Christians we should always take the Bible as our ultimate authority, right?