God Has a Name by John Mark Comer
Week 3: Chapter 2 — Compassionate
Read Chapter 2 of God Has a Name. Primary Scripture: Exodus 34:6; Luke 15:11–32.
Previewing Week 3 of God Has a Name
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 12-week guide when you’re ready.
The first word God chooses to describe himself is not "holy" or "powerful" — it is "compassionate," and Comer argues that order is not an accident.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Comer notes that "compassionate" is the first adjective God uses to describe himself in Exodus 34:6. Why do you think God leads with compassion? What does that sequencing tell us about God's priorities in how he wants to be known?
2.The Hebrew word for compassion here (racham) is related to the word for "womb" — it carries the idea of a mother's visceral, gut-level love for her child. How does that imagery reshape your understanding of divine compassion? Does it feel different from how you usually think about God's character?
3.Many people carry a picture of God as primarily stern, demanding, or easily disappointed. Where do you think that picture comes from — upbringing, culture, personal experience, or something else? How does the reality of God's compassion challenge or comfort that picture?