2. How To Ask for Forgiveness?

Start With An

ICEBREAKER QUESTION (5 mins)

To start off your small group, briefly share your response to the following question:

• What’s on the top of your Christmas wish list this year and why? (i.e. iPhone 7, new shoes, etc.)

Please Read

WHAT TO EXPECT (2 mins)

Let’s get a big picture of what we’ll be learning today…

Last week, we learned about forgiving those who have hurt us. In Session TWO, we will continue to further our understanding of forgiveness according to the Bible and learn about going to those we’ve hurt and initiating the process of forgiveness.

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Discussion Questions (20 mins)

At this time, please break into smaller groups of 2-4 for the discussion question section. Have a great discussion! 1.) Billy Graham once said, “Man has two great spiritual needs. One is forgiveness. The other is for goodness.” As humans, we desire to be forgiven and to forgive others! Have you ever been forgiven for something you don’t think you should have been forgiven for? (i.e. Forgiven by God, your spouse, your parents, your boss, etc.)

2.) “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24) We can tell by this scripture that God values the welfare of relationships far more than religious practices! Reading on in verse 25, Jesus said “Settle matters quickly with your adversary.” When Jesus said this, he was stressing the importance of settling matters with a sense of urgency rather than waiting until later. When you are in conflict with someone, do you like to settle matters with them right away, or would you rather give it some time? Share with your group and explain.

3.) Here are two biblical thoughts of how to initiate the forgiveness process with someone you may have hurt: 1) Do it face-to-face 2) Do your part and trust God to do the rest. When we ask someone for forgiveness, there is no guarantee that they will react in the way that we want them to. That’s why it is important to trust God to do the rest. Of the 2 ways to initiate forgiveness above, circle the one that is most difficult to do? Share with your group.

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What Will You Do? (5 mins) The first step to initiating and asking for forgiveness is stopping and identifying the person(s) you may have hurt. This week, identify at least ONE person you’ve hurt (intentionally or unintentionally) and have never settled matters with. Begin initiating forgiveness with them by simply praying for them this week. Also, pray that God would reveal to you how to go about asking them for forgiveness.

Close in Prayer (3 mins) Take a few minutes to close your time together with prayer and to pray for each other’s prayer requests. Below is a sample prayer to read if you choose to. You can also choose to write down each other’s prayer requests to remember throughout the week. Sample Prayer: “Thank you God, for giving us access to Your heart and Your thoughts through the Word. Lord, reveal to us those whom we may have hurt or offended in the past, so that we can reconcile with them. Give us the courage to initiate the process of forgiveness with them. We love You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Group Prayer Requests: Name

Request

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DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 1

S C R I P T U R E… Read These Scriptures: Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

O B S E R V A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

A P P L I C A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

P R A Y E R… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 2

S C R I P T U R E… Read These Scriptures: Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

O B S E R V A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

A P P L I C A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

P R A Y E R… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ 17

DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 3

S C R I P T U R E… Read These Scriptures: Romans 12:1 “…In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

O B S E R V A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

A P P L I C A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

P R A Y E R… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

DAILY DEVOTIONS: DAY 4

S C R I P T U R E… Read These Scriptures: Matthew 5:25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary.”

O B S E R V A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

A P P L I C A T I O N… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

P R A Y E R… __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

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