Passage: Ephesians 4:32

        Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Insight: So, what is forgiveness? It is the decision to let go of any grudges or any attempt to get even. God is very clear that vengeance is His and His alone. Forgiveness is a decision of the will in which you choose to not hold anything against someone. The other person does not deserve to be forgiven but you give it as a gift. It can be a very difficult choice especially when you have been hurt deeply. It is also a decision that you might need to make over and over again. You might even need to forgive the same person many times in one day. But it is always the best decision. Otherwise you can get trapped in bitterness and carry around anger with you for months or years. And that bitterness can trap you and destroy you.

Application: What does God mean when he tells us to forgive someone?

•    1) Forgiveness does not mean that we forget. Don’t feel guilty if you still remember certain words or events when someone hurt you. It’s not wrong to remember.

• 2) Forgiveness is different than healing. It can be a part of your healing, but healing can take a longer time. God can bring healing in many different ways.

• 3) Forgiveness can include distance. It might be healthy to have some space from the person who hurt you, so they don’t continue to hurt you. A boundary can be helpful. It protects both people until they are ready to be closer again.

• 4) Forgiveness is not optional. God says you must forgive people just as Christ has forgiven you. This is for your own good and it also glorifies God too.

A Challenge: How do we find the power to forgive? It comes from Jesus. You need to start by thinking about the cross and how Jesus paid the price for your sins. God has given you eternal and complete forgiveness through Jesus. After receiving this gift, now you must offer that same forgiveness to other people. There were several people in my life, family and friends who hurt me deeply. Honestly, I could not forgive them until I came to know Jesus. Look over the additional verses on forgiveness, and then make some decisions to give some people that same gift.

Questions:

Who is most difficult for you to forgive? Why?

Is there anyone who you still need to forgive?

What did you learn about forgiveness today?

Who or what has brought healing into your life when you have been hurt?

How has choosing to forgive people helped in your situation?

Deeper: Matthew 6:12-14, Matthew 18:15-35, 1 Peter 3:8-9, Mark 11:22-25

 

Passage: Ephesians 4:32

        Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Insight: So, what is forgiveness? It is the decision to let go of any grudges or any attempt to get even. God is very clear that vengeance is His and His alone. Forgiveness is a decision of the will in which you choose to not hold anything against someone. The other person does not deserve to be forgiven but you give it as a gift. It can be a very difficult choice especially when you have been hurt deeply. It is also a decision that you might need to make over and over again. You might even need to forgive the same person many times in one day. But it is always the best decision. Otherwise you can get trapped in bitterness and carry around anger with you for months or years. And that bitterness can trap you and destroy you.

Application: What does God mean when he tells us to forgive someone?

•    1) Forgiveness does not mean that we forget. Don’t feel guilty if you still remember certain words or events when someone hurt you. It’s not wrong to remember.

• 2) Forgiveness is different than healing. It can be a part of your healing, but healing can take a longer time. God can bring healing in many different ways.

• 3) Forgiveness can include distance. It might be healthy to have some space from the person who hurt you, so they don’t continue to hurt you. A boundary can be helpful. It protects both people until they are ready to be closer again.

• 4) Forgiveness is not optional. God says you must forgive people just as Christ has forgiven you. This is for your own good and it also glorifies God too.

A Challenge: How do we find the power to forgive? It comes from Jesus. You need to start by thinking about the cross and how Jesus paid the price for your sins. God has given you eternal and complete forgiveness through Jesus. After receiving this gift, now you must offer that same forgiveness to other people. There were several people in my life, family and friends who hurt me deeply. Honestly, I could not forgive them until I came to know Jesus. Look over the additional verses on forgiveness, and then make some decisions to give some people that same gift.

Questions:

Who is most difficult for you to forgive? Why?

Is there anyone who you still need to forgive?

What did you learn about forgiveness today?

Who or what has brought healing into your life when you have been hurt?

How has choosing to forgive people helped in your situation?

Deeper: Matthew 6:12-14, Matthew 18:15-35, 1 Peter 3:8-9, Mark 11:22-25