**Starter Questions ** How has God been working in your life? What passage is giving you strength lately? Who or what should we pray for? **Read Matthew 9:9-13 ** What modern career paths have a similar stigma as did tax collector? What does it say about Jesus that He would call a tax collector to be His disciple… or, that He would eat and socialize with other tax collectors and “sinners”? What does it mean that God desires mercy; not sacrifice? Do Christians today face a similar challenge of trying to please God? Why is mercy important to you? How can you be merciful this week?