Key Thought: Forgiveness is a gift for us to give and receive
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
· Did you know I Can Only Imagine was based on the real life story of MercyMe’s singer Bart Millard? What do you think of stories like this involving celebrities?
· What’s the best story of forgiveness you’ve ever heard, aside from the key one in the Bible?
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
· What forms can abuse take? How do these different forms affect people’s lives?
· Why do some people tend to keep traumatic pain to themselves?
· What happens when people are told not to follow their dreams?
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
· Is there currently, or has there been, someone in your life you felt you could never forgive?
· Do you have a story of forgiveness to share or has God put a certain person on your heart that you need to forgive?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Father God, thank you for giving us the ultimate gift by offering forgiveness in the form of your Son for all the unforgiveable things we’ve done. We know You’ve called us to forgive one another just as you’ve forgiven us, but often times our human limitations get in the way. Please help us to overcome those limitations and forgive those we need to forgive so that we can live a life free from the bonds of unforgiveness. We ask all this in Your Son’s precious name. Amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
· Have everyone in the group name anyone they feel, they KNOW, they need to forgive, or have forgiven. Then pray over this list of people as a group and offer forgiveness.
· Memorize Ephesians 4:32, and say it each time hurts from the past resurface.
Scriptures
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NLT
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:34 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
