Main Thought
Forgiveness is “ RELATING to others based on God’s MERCY toward US and RELEASING others to God’s JUSTICE.” In the Gospel of Matthew, we are reminded in ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ that forgiveness should be as regular a part of our lives as asking for our “daily bread.” We are also reminded that we must not only seek God’s forgiveness but also seek to extend forgiveness to others as well. And as we allow God’s forgiveness to come “to us” and flow “through us”, we will keep the door of His peace, blessing, and favor open in our lives.
Main Passages
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Matthew 6:9-15“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
- Matthew 18:21-35, ESV
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the main thought and main passage above?
Share about a time when you either received forgiveness (from God or others) OR when you extended forgiveness to others. What happened? How did it impact your life?
In what area of your life do you need to experience God’s forgiveness? And to whom (or what) do you think God is challenging you to extend forgiveness to today ? (a family member, co-worker, yourself, an unexpected situation, etc.)
Close:
As you close, take a moment to pray for one another and to personally pray for forgiveness as needed. Below are a few helpful “sample prayers” to help you to pray for forgiveness, if you’re not sure where to start:
For Personal Forgiveness:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, please forgive me for _______(describe what happened)______ . Thank you for forgiving me and for helping to live for you. Amen.”
For Forgiving Others:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I choose to forgive___(person, yourself, or a situation) for _____(describe what happened)___________. Amen.”