Week 2: Forgiveness
May 1 & 4
Forgiveness refuses to keep score.
Mercy doesn’t ignore the past, but mercy also chooses not to weaponize the past.
Our willingness to forgive is evidence that we have truly received God’s forgiveness…because we cannot give what we have not received.
We’ve been forgiven of more than we could ever repay.
Unforgiveness traps us.
“Not forgiving is like drinking rat poison and then waiting for the rest to die…forgiveness is putting to death all hope of a better past.”
- Anne Lamott
Forgiveness is how we show Christ to the world.
Seven steps on the path to forgiveness:
Admit that I’m in pain.
Identify what was lost.
Grieve the loss.
Remember how you’ve been forgiven.
Make the decision to forgive.
Ask the Holy Spirit to do the work you cannot.
Repeat as necessary.
Who are you holding hostage in your heart?
[d]Group Questions
Read Matthew 18:21-35. What makes forgiveness so hard, even when we know how much we’ve been forgiven by God? How does remembering your own story of forgiveness help?
In Matthew 18, the forgiven servant refuses to forgive a smaller debt. Where are you most tempted to act like that servant—keeping score or withholding grace?
It was said, “You can’t forgive what you pretend didn’t hurt.” What’s one area of pain or loss that God may be inviting you to acknowledge and begin to grieve?
Which of the seven steps toward forgiveness stood out most to you, and why? Is there one you feel stuck on right now?
How can our willingness to forgive be a witness of the gospel to others? Is there someone you need to forgive so the gospel can be seen more clearly in your life?