The Work of Forgiveness | March, 6 2022

Follow Along with the Message

1. Doing Life

As a church family, we care about each other’s lives: what we’re celebrating, what we’re
mourning, what decisions we are praying through, and everything in between
(1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:10, 15). Suggested time: 10-20 minutes
● How are you doing?
● What can you thank God for this week?
● When were you most aware of Jesus’ presence this week? When were you least
aware of Jesus’ presence this week?
● Do you have any practical needs?

2. Jesus Centered

God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, equip us to live the good life He’s designed
for us, show us our sin, and strengthen us as we follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17,
Colossians 1:9-12, and James 1:22-25). Suggested Time: 20-40 minutes

Primary Passage: Matthew 16:18-21

● Forgiveness is mercy expressed. It is the action taken toward someone to whom
it is within our power to punish or harm them.
○ On Sunday we learned a few descriptions of what forgiveness is not. In
our learning experiences, we are often mistakenly taught that one, or a
combination of these principles ARE forgiveness.
■ Reconciliation
■ Condoning
■ Sympathy
■ Empathy
■ Forgetting
○ In your experience, which of these principles have you mistakenly
attributed to your process of forgiveness?

● How has the application of these principles affected you? (i.e. stuffed feelings,
guilt about the anger or hurt you can’t “get over”, etc.)
● How do you feel when you hear that someone who has harmed you is in a
difficult life situation?
● Is that a measure of where you are on the scale of true forgiveness?

● Forgiveness is the work of releasing someone from the responsibility of paying
you back for what their sin has cost you. It is entrusting yourself and the one
you’ve been hurt by to God.
○ As you examine this profound and deep definition, reflect on how you
have viewed REVENGE versus VENGEANCE.
■ Revenge: the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an
injury or wrong suffered at their hands.
■ Vengeance: punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury
or wrong.

○ How have you interpreted the scripture, Deut. 32:35 “Vengeance is mine,
saith the Lord.”?

● On Sunday, we learned that God’s vengeance is in a sense “bi-vocational”;
dealing with sin as it affects both the sinner AND the one sinned against. God
deals with the sinner in His stand against sin by offering His love and forgiveness
through Christ’s death and God is also the one who pays back what sin has cost
in His resurrection.
○ How has this applied to your life as both sinner and one who’s forgiven?

3. Engaging the Heart

Jesus calls us to walk in the light, confessing our sins to God and each other. God’s
Spirit works through confession and community to lead us to repentance. (Romans
3:23-24, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:5-10) Suggested Time: 10-20 minutes
● How are you doing abiding with Jesus this week in Scripture and prayer?
● What sin do you need to confess to God? What are you struggling to trust Jesus
with this week? How can you give Him control of it? (As people confess sin,
make sure to remind one another of the good news Jesus offers.)

4. Expanding the Kingdom

Just like God the Father sent Jesus on a mission of reconciliation for us, Jesus sends
us out as ambassadors of His reconciliation. We are called to make disciples wherever
we go. (John 20:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Suggested time: 10-20 minutes
● People: Who in your life can you be building with right now? What does that look
like during this season?

● Plan: Are there any rhythms planned (virtual or in-person) that we can invite
these friends into? What spiritual conversations do you want to initiate with them
soon?
● Pray: Let’s pray for our people by name; pray for their needs, opportunities to
connect, and opportunities to have spiritual conversations that help them take
next steps toward Jesus.