Sermon Small Group Questions

Open in prayer
Ice breaker question: Did you ever get in trouble as a teen? What is something that your parents never found out about what you did?
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Is there anything that stood out to you from Sunday’s sermon?
Forgiveness is a gift and a discipline and even at times, the biggest of challenges. It can be ongoing and sometimes a continual process. It begins with this sentence, “Jesus, I chose to forgive ________.” It begins with a choice and from there the journey begins. The journey continues until your words and your heart are in alignment and the process in between is sacred. Whether the offense is big or small, the choice is always ours and that choice leads to your freedom.
If you are in that sacred process and feeling stuck, I encourage you to reach out for help. Maybe that’s a friend, family member, pastor, or counselor so that you can continue to move forward in the journey to freedom.
2. Take a moment in your small group in silence. Ask Jesus if there is any offense you are holding onto. Wait in the stillness. If anything comes to mind, begin your process with making the choice (in silence unless your group wants to do it communally).

Forgiveness does not mean you have to pursue a relationship with that person. There are situations where reconciliation is not possible even when you’ve done all the work that is yours to do. Forgiveness and reconciliation are different from each other. Jesus went beyond what people are able to do on their own in regard to reconciliation. He not only made a way for us to be forgiven, but also reconciled us to God, the Father, by his sacrifice for us. With this in mind, let’s look at the following verse below:
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

3. The word “bear” with each other is from the word, “forbearing” and it is a verb. It means to hold oneself up against, put up with, endure, to suffer. Just as you must bear with others, others much bear with you. Is it easier for you to bear with another or to receive it? Why?

4. Let’s celebrate the forgiveness that has been done in your life. Take an internal inventory of the people or situations you have chosen to forgive throughout the years. Can you sense the goodness of God over all these relationships?

5. Share a testimony in your group of a time you’ve been forgiven or you have forgiven. Testimonies can bring encouragement and freedom for others.

Closing prayer: Spend the time lifting up your praises to Jesus. May the time be used to glorify who he is and what he has done and proclaim in faith what he will do.