CONVERSATION STARTERS: “Forgive”
Note: If you missed this message with guest speaker Aaron Richert, give it a listen here.
- What did you find most helpful or convicting about the message? What did God reveal to you through the worship and/or teaching time?
- Think of a time in the past when you were hurt by someone and found it difficult to forgive. What made it so hard? What did you do in response? What were the results?
- Reflecting on the difficulty people have with forgiving others, Rick Warren says, “Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don’t understand the difference between trust and forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior.” Discuss the difference between forgiveness and trust and what that might look like in certain situations.
- Ephesians 4:31-32 outlines common clues that show when unforgiveness is present in a person’s life. Share examples of what these clues might look like in action.
- The Bible describes what it looks like to live a lifestyle of forgiveness. Read through the following passages and identify the various qualities of someone who has truly forgiven another.
- Romans 12:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, Luke 6:28, Proverbs 24:17, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:18, Exodus 23:4
- Are there any people in your life that you are currently harboring unforgiveness towards? Set aside some time this week on your own or with another trusted person to pray this prayer of forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, I choose to forgive ___________ for __________, which made me feel _____________. I release him/her into Your care. I choose to bear the consequences of their sin against me without bitterness, knowing that You already paid for it on the cross.
Please forgive me for how I’ve sought to protect my heart from being hurt again. I acknowledge that You alone are the protector of my heart & I choose to trust You. Please fill this area in my life with your Holy Spirit and heal this wound. Thank You for freeing me from the poison of bitterness.
I relinquish my perceived right to seek revenge or blame this person for any dysfunction or present pain in life as I take responsibility for my own life choices. They owe me nothing! I ask You to heal my damaged emotions from this memory.
I now ask You to bless this person and to pour Your love into my heart for this person & I commit myself to follow You in any steps of reconciliation You ask me to take.
Thank you for the freedom that I will now experience and help me to live a lifestyle of forgiveness from this point forward. Amen.
