Locations & Times

Cause & Effect

The "Why" In Forgiveness - Week 3

March 5, 2023 |

Forgiving others doesn't mean we have to minimize what's been done to us or the hurt we've experienced. But unforgiveness is keeping us imprisoned.

SETLIST

Already Won Flatirons Music – Unavailable 

Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) By Hillsong UNITED Available on Available on “As You Find Me (Live) – Single” from Hillsong Church

 Lean Back By Capital City Music Available on "Kingdom Come (Live)" from Capital City Music

You Are My King (Amazing Love) By Newsboys Available on “Adoration” from Newsboys

 

GROUP QUESTIONS

// Bible References
 Matthew 18:21-35 1 Corinthians 1:18, Matthew 6:12-15 Proverbs 23:7

 // Community Question

Name a time when you were forgiven for something you had done. What did that feel like?

// Discussion Questions

  1. Do you agree with the statement: “Forgiveness is a choice that has nothing to do with the person you need to forgive.” Why or why not?
  2. Read Matthew 18:21-35. In this passage, Jesus challenges Christians to practice unlimited forgiveness in a parable of a master (God) forgiving a servant (Christians) of an unsurmountable debt. Then contrast it with the servant not forgiving another servant for a debt (Our grievances with others) that could be paid off in a day. He then tells us to forgive others from our heart. (i.e., Command Center = forgiveness is a decision)
    1. Spend some time thinking about what God has forgiven you for. Does it feel like a lot? Why or why not? What makes it hard to understand and appreciate the magnitude of God’s forgiveness?
    2. Why can our grievances towards others feel so large?
    3. Why would God say it is a decision to forgive instead of a feeling?
  3. Read Proverbs 23:7 In this passage the writer in Proverbs is saying: “Decide in your mind and in your heart what your perspective (in this case forgiveness) will be because when you do, that is what you will become. Either bitter and angry, or full of grace and mercy. Describe a time when you changed your perspective about someone or something, and it dramatically changed the way you felt about that person or thing. (This could be a positive or negative example)
  4. Jim relayed that the word for forgiveness and canceling debt is the same word we get “released from prison.” How could non-forgiveness be like a personal prison?

// Challenge:  What hurt, pain or evil do we have that God is asking us to forgive? Are you willing to start the process of forgiveness today? In what way?

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