Forgiven, Forgiving and Free
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The Pipe Cleaner1 Digging Deeper
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That Big Pencil Without an Eraser1 Digging Deeper
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RUN, Spot, R-U-N1 Digging Deeper
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Give God Your G-U-I-L-T1 Digging Deeper
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Bustin’ Up Boulders1 Digging Deeper
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Stoned!1 Digging Deeper
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Forgiveness Starts With the Heart1 Digging Deeper
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Downright Difficult1 Digging Deeper
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Living Inside Another’s Skin1 Digging Deeper
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When I Cry and Want to Know Why1 Digging Deeper
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The “Blame” Game1 Digging Deeper
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No Pain, Now What…?1 Digging Deeper
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Group Progress
Group Progress
Downright Difficult
Why do you think God requires us to forgive others in order to be forgiven? He does, doesn’t He?
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.
Mark 11:25
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Ephesians 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Our heart allows us to – THINK, FEEL, and DECIDE how to act. In order to forgive, how do we change the way we THINK about those who have wronged us? How would this apply to our lives today?
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
In order to forgive, how do we change the way we FEEL about those who have wronged us? How would this apply to our lives today?
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
This agape love is a love that wants what is best for the one loved. I’m to want what is best for the one that has treated me worse than anyone else.
In order to forgive, how do we change the way we DECIDE to treat those who have wronged us? How would this apply to our lives today?
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
If we are going to forgive like Jesus, what are some things we can do to make those who have hurt us a part of our lives again?
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”
46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
John 20:26-28
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
If we are going to forgive, we must reconnect – to some degree and on some level – with those that hurt us. Like Jesus on these occasions, we need to: 1) talk with them 2) try to live in peace with them and 3) help them with their needs.