Happy Mother’s Day! As the psalmist has written, “This is the day the Lord has made. . .so we can be glad and rejoice in it.” We have so many reasons to be thankful this day, not only because it’s another day the Lord has given us, but also because we are blessed to give thanks for our moms who, in most cases, raised us, loved us, served us, and perhaps even made Jesus real to us. As we continue in our series The Story, our focus is on the need we have to receive, experience, and be able to offer God’s mercy to others in Christ.

Lamentations 3:19-24

19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Have you ever felt sympathy and wanted to act but didn’t? What held you back? (Fear, lack of finances, no time, didn’t feel equipped, etc.)

2. Read Lamentations 3:1-3, 19-24. What was Jeremiah experiencing during this time? Can you relate to feelings of despair, darkness, defeat, or feeling that God is disciplining you?

3. Read verses 22-24. What hope do you find in these promises? 

4. Have you been surprised by how hard it is to show mercy to people who are difficult? Talk about it.

5. We struggle to show mercy when we don’t realize how desperately we need God’s mercy ourselves. How has Jesus’ offer of mercy and grace become reality for you? Is there someone you can show God’s mercy to today? 

6. Take time to share prayer requests and give thanks for Jesus’ love, grace, and mercies that are new every morning. 

For Families with Kids

Memory Verse: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end…” (Lamentations 3:22)    

1. Steadfast describes something that never changes. In our verse, God tells us His love is steadfast and unending. What is encouraging about God’s neverending love when we sin, are sick, or in trouble?

2. Mercy is compassion shown to someone who hurts you. God tells us His compassion never ends even when we sin. How do we receive God’s mercy? Will God ever run out of mercy? How often do we run out of mercy towards others?

3. Pray: “Thank You Lord for Your love that never ends even when I sin. Help me turn to your endless mercy and help me love you and others. Amen.”