Care Group Leader Notes5.10.15

Forgiveness.

Our Prayer to God:Fatherthank you for showing us the way to forgiveness. You are the only One who has never needed to say Your sorry. Yet while we were still in our sin You redeemed us through sending Jesus to live and then to die for our sin. Thank you for teaching us to forgive. – In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Opener Q:Remember back to a time when you hurt someone and they forgave you? Describe what happened and how you felt.

Matt. 18:27-28 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.’

Q 1.–When was there a time when you were hurt and you struggled to forgive?

Q 2.Have you ever seen your sins (and only your sins) as the sins that put Jesus on the Cross?Your Heavenly Father sent His Son to die for you. Yes He died for the sins of the whole world but He also died for your sins. He made a way for you to be forgiven. Take a few moments and think about the worst sin you can remember and now see Him taking that sin and placing it on the Cross. (No need to share your sins they are paid for)

Q 3.2 Corinthians 7:10 says godly sorrow produces repentance which leads to salvation. Have you ever grieved for what God did for you? Will you take a moment and do that now?Ephesian 4:32 says we are to forgive others the way Jesus Christ has forgiven us. So we are not like the unmerciful servant,

Challenge: Was the unmerciful servant who chose not to forgive aware of the grace offered to him? He certainly was, he didn't however experience it to a degree that freed him to forgive his debtors.

This servant knew in his head he was free but it did not reach his heart. His heart was the key, because it was not in his heart he didn’t forgive.

Forgive those that have wounded you from the heart and not the head.

Close in Prayer: Thank the LORD that He forgave us so we can forgive others!