Key Thought: Apologizing is the key to going from hurt to healed in your relationships
Key Quote
Reference:
The Five Apology Languages:
1. Express Regret 2. Accept Responsibility 3. Make Restitution 4. Genuinely Repent 5. Ask for Forgiveness
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
Why do you think people find it hard to say, “I’m sorry?”
What’s a sincere apology you’ve heard someone give that really resonated with you?
Share a time when someone you know deserved an apology and didn’t get one
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
Which one of the Five Apology Languages speaks to you? Why?
What do you think makes up a good apology? Why?
Why do you think apologizing to someone can be so hard?
Why do you think an apology can be so powerful for the one receiving it? How about the one giving it?
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
Have you ever had someone say they were sorry, but you just didn’t want to receive it? What was it about the situation that kept your heart from receiving it?
Have you ever caused a situation that calls for more than a simple “I’m sorry”? What did you do about it?
Share a recent time that you apologized to someone. What spurred you to apologize to them?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us right where we’re at and for forgiving us even when we don’t deserve it. You are a good, good Father! Please help us to forgive just as you have forgiven us, and to love others just as you have loved us. Thank you for Your amazing love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
Share with your group a name (or names) of someone you need to either apologize to or forgive, then talk through a plan to make forgiveness in that relationship a reality.
Commit to understanding each other’s Apology Language and make a pact to one another to speak those languages in the event you ever cause an offense with another member of the group.
Pastor Bil challenged us to invite someone to church next weekend. Who are you inviting and how are you reaching out?
Scriptures
“The 5 Languages of Apology” by Gary Chapman & Jennifer Thomas
“Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against you.” Lamentations 1:20 NLT
I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you.” Luke 15:18 TLB
For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51:3 AMP
Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “Sir, from now on I will give half my wealth to the poor, and if I find I have overcharged anyone on his taxes, I will penalize myself by giving him back four times as much!” Jesus told him, “This shows that salvation has come to this home today.” Luke 19:8-9 TLB
Do the things that show you really have changed your hearts and lives. Matthew 3:8 NCV
You’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. Psalm 51:4-6 MSG
Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. Luke 17:3 NRSV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV
