If you missed Sunday March 1st’s message, “The Lord’s Prayer: As We Forgive”, you can watch or listen to it online by clicking here. In your Home Church, use as many or as few of these discussion questions as you need to in order to start a good conversation:
- Pray together to open things up, concluding with The Lord’s Prayer.
- Tonight’s discussion is about the second part of the fifth petition in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors“. Why do you think Jesus uses both past and present tense language in this part of the petition (in the NLT: “As we HAVE FORGIVEN those who SIN against us”)? What is significant about that?
- What is the connection between our experience of forgiveness from God and our ability to forgive of others? What does a lack of forgiveness towards others reveal about our hearts and relationship with God?
- How could praying this part of The Lord’s Prayer daily & deeply from the heart help you in your journey of forgiveness?
- Read The Parable of The Unforgiving Debtor in Matthew 18:21-35. What parts of the story jump out at you most? Why? What questions does this parable raise for you? What is the main point Jesus is making in this parable?
- Jeff mentioned the quote, “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” How has this been true in your life and relationships? Share your experience with holding grudges, resentment and bitterness. How has (or hasn’t) God freed you from this?
- What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? Is reconciliation always required in order to forgive?
- What does “Gospel Forgiveness” look like in practice? What is the difference between “Gospel Forgiveness” and “Worldly Forgiveness”?
- Jeff shared several other ways that we can pray “As We Forgive Our Debtors” (credit Sara Maynard in “The Prayer of All Prayers”). Which one(s) most resonate with you? Why?
-
I forgive _______ for _______.
-
Empower me to forgive all who hurt me, as fully and as deeply as you forgive me.
-
Help me to see others as you see them, including those who have hurt me.
-
Shine your light into my heart and show me any hint of un-forgiveness, even from years past.
-
Train my heart to forgive quickly, and to refuse to hold grudges.
-
May I not just forgive, but be healed from the impact of that sin against me.
-
- Who do you sense God is inviting you to forgive? Why? What are you going to do about it?
- Spend some time in prayer, praying “Forgive Us Our Debts” in whatever way most resonates with each person.
- (Remember to pray The Lord’s Prayer daily & deeply this week!)
