Read John 3:17 and Galatians 6:1.

Ruth Bell Graham asks: "Who among us at one time has not fallen flat on our face? Many of us feel we have the gift of discernment when it comes to the faults and failures of other

Christians and the gift of disapproval, as well. Who in your family or among your acquaintances do you most heartily disapprove of? Don't you think that person is already racked with guilt? How can you show them kindness?"

Read Matthew 5:44 and Philippians 2:3-4.

Love here reflects a benign, compassionate, outgoing desire for another person's well being. You want the best for them. Humility of mind removes the 'Me' from the picture and looks for ways to support and encourage the other person; and that requires a conviction ahead of time that I will take care of others' needs ahead of my own. Discuss an example of how you have failed in this regard recently, and what you have learned from that experience.

Read Romans 12:17-21.

Why should we do this? Consider that first, it produces peace, and second, it sets an example for the offending person and for everyone else of what God considers the right and proper thing to be done. Discuss some of your personal experiences with the struggle and the peace that comes from following the principles in this passage.

Read Matthew 5:7 and Deuteronomy 15:7-8.

When we serve others in need, says John MacArthur, we demonstrate a heart of mercy. Mercy is not only shown through physical acts, it is also shown spiritually - through pity and confrontation because of a lack of Jesus in the other person's life and in praying for that person. How has your life been specifically changed by an expression of mercy? Consider someone the Holy Spirit has recently laid on your heart. What might occur in that person's life if you showed him or her constant compassion?

Dorothy Sayers wrote, "The people responsible for Jesus' crucifixion never accused Him of being a bore. On the contrary they thought Him too dynamic to be safe. It has been left for Satan and later generations to trim the claws of The Lion Of Judah and muffle up his shattering personality with a 'meek and mild' label." Discuss the countercultural aspects of Jesus' life. Among these, consider His willingness to be led as a dumb lamb to the slaughter. Have you ever been falsely accused? Did you accept that silently, or did you defend your reputation?