Week 8

THE MASTER IS MERCIFUL (Part 1)

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “The Master Is Merciful” by Isobel Kuhn (SpiritLed Woman magazine, Oct/Nov 2006).

 

Introduction

Regardless of what others think of us or what we think of ourselves, God’s love is still the same—unconditional and complete and fulfilling. Regardless of who or what comes against us, we are totally covered and protected by His presence!

 

What God Says

Read Deut. 31:6.

 

Write it out and think about what it means to you.

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following Scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of what each scriptural passage has to say about God’s love and mercy for us.

 

Ps. 145: 8-9:______________________________________________________

 

Matt. 11:29:______________________________________________________

 

John 3:16:_______________________________________________________

 

2 Pet. 1:1-4:______________________________________________________

 

Application

Fill in the blanks of the Scriptures below (NKJV) taken from the previous Deeper Insight section. Check afterward to see how you did by looking up each one. Then put each onto a 3x5 note card, memorizing them, to remind you of God’s awesome love and mercy for us. Draw upon them (from memory) to share God’s love with others.

 

Psalm 145:9: “The ____ is good to ___, and His tender ______ are over all Hs _______.”

 

Matt. 11:29: ”Take My _____ upon you and ______ from Me, for I am _______ and lowly in _______, and you will find _____ for your _____.”

 

John 3:16: “For God so _______ the ____ that He gave His only ____________ Son, that ________ believes in _____ should not ______ but have __________ _____.”

 

2 Pet. 1:2: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the __________ of _____ and of ______ our Lord.”

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud Matt. 11:29. Go around the group sharing what all it might mean. Ask how the imagery of the yoked animal relates to what Jesus is saying to us about our letting Him carry the load. Encourage testimonies of how members have rested in the Lord in difficult and near-impossible times (how they “took His yoke upon them.”)

End the meeting by thanking the Lord as a group that they can give Him all cares and concerns and take His yoke upon them in any situation.

 

Prayer

Memorize Matt. 11:29, and read it out loud at the beginning of your prayer. Thank the Lord that you have given over to him your pressures, cares, and concerns—letting him carry the load, walking with you every step of the way. Thank Him for His unconditional love and presence in your life, with whom and through whom you always have the victory!