Then here are some questions to discuss:
Read Matthew 6:12 as well as Matthew 6:14-15 In those passages, Jesus associates the forgiveness of our own sins with the forgiveness we give to others. Do you like that, that Jesus puts the two together? Do you find it easier to receive God’s forgiveness or to give forgiveness to others? Why?
Read Jeremiah 31:34 and Hebrews 8:12. The verses say that God will forget our sins. Is it possible that God forgets something? (Of course not!) So what does He mean by “forgetting” our sins?
If God chooses not to bring it back to his memory, we should do the same when we choose to forgive others. To forgive is to refuse to take revenge, to refuse to tell everyone what this person did to us. How is it beneficial for us to do this? (Because it must be beneficial, if God does it!!) Why is it hard to let go of our right to revenge?
Read Hebrews 12:15. If we don’t forgive others, our resentment can poison even the lives of those around us. How? How can our resentment infect others? Do you have any examples?
After forgiveness comes reconciliation. God forgave us, but when we repented, we were then also reconciled in our relationship with God. The same goes with people who hurt us. We have to forgive them no matter what, but then we have to try to reconcile (when it’s safe to do so). However, to be reconciled, there must be a form of repentance on the part of the person who has offended us. Tell us how you approach someone who hurt you? Do you find it difficult to express your pain? Why?
What should you do if the other person refuses to acknowledge their wrongdoing?
If someone comes to YOU, to tell you that you have hurt them, how do you react? Are you the type to apologise easily or defend yourself vehemently? What can you do to be less defensive?
After forgiveness and reconciliation, comes the 3rd step: rebuilding trust. For it is not because there was a reconciliation that we should automatically trust the person who hurt us. Why? Forgiveness should be quick, but trust can take time to build. Explain this in your own words and perhaps with your own experience.
On what do you build your trust, in a context of friendship? And if that trust has been broken, how are you going to rebuild it?
Will this difference between forgiveness, reconciliation and trust help you clean up your relationships? What encouraged you in today’s study? What are you going to put into practice now?
Some prayer points to conclude:
Ask God to forgive your sins;
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you forgive others;
And to open opportunities for reconciliation if it is his will;
… And of course, please pray for Passion374! Thank you!
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