Having learned something about what forgiveness is, we now come to the question of "when do we forgive?" Does God forgives us before we repent? Is repentance necessary to forgiveness?
1. Is forgiveness conditional or unconditional? If conditional, what is it conditioned upon?
2. Can we forgive someone...
a. who does not repent?
b. who will not receive my forgiveness?
3. When did God forgive you?
_ a. When Christ died on Calvary.
_ b. Before the foundation of the world
_ c. When you repented
_ f. After you proved yourself
_ Other ________________________________
4. When did Christ pay our sin debt?
5. When preaching the forgiveness of sins, are we offering men...
_ a. What can be
_ b. What already is
_ c. Both
_ d. None of the above
6. Can a man be forgiven and not be right with God? Please explain your answer.
7. Is there a difference between release, reconciliation and restoration? Please explain your answer.
"Forgiveness is the step that looses us from unforgiveness that we might be reconciled with our brother ... Forgiveness is the door and reconciliation is the means to accomplish the goal of restoration ... Through forgiveness we deal with the past, releasing the person from what he did. Reconciliation deals with the present relationship, permitting harmony in the living of our lives together. But restoration goes a step further. It secures a future for our relationships ... To restore means 'to bring back to the former condition.' Through restoration we recover that essential element which was lost through the wounds of offense and unforgiveness----trust." Sue Curran, "The Forgiving Church" (Shekinah Publishers: Blountville, 1990) p. 68.
Forgiveness is " ... the wonder of being trusted again by God in the place where I disgraced Him." Rita Snowdon quoted by Dr. Sam Sasser, "The Potter's Touch" (Destiny Image Publishers: Shippensburg 1991) p. 33.
8. My side of forgiveness is complete when I...
_ a. Release my sinning brother.
_ b. Am reconciled with my sinning brother.
_ c. Restore my sinning brother.
_ d. All of the above.
9. My brother's forgiveness is complete when he...
_ a. Is reconciled
_ b. Is restored
_ c. Repents
_ d. All of the above
10. Forgiveness is complete when ____________ is restored and reconciliation is accomplished.
11. What part does repentance play in the process of forgiveness?
12. When forgiveness stops short of full restoration it leaves the person needing forgiveness insecure about his future. Explain your answer.
_ True
_ False
13. What were the effects of incomplete forgiveness on Absalom?
2 Sam 14:21-24 (NIV) "The king said to Joab, "Very well, I will do it. Go, bring back the young man Absalom." 22 Joab fell with his face to the ground to pay him honor, and he blessed the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that he has found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has granted his servant's request." 23 Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. 24 But the king said, "He must go to his own house; he must not see my face." So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king."
2 Sam 14:32 (NIV) "Absalom said to Joab, "Look, I sent word to you and said, 'Come here so I can send you to the king to ask, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there!"' Now then, I want to see the king's face, and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death.""
1. When did the father forgive his prodigal son?
2. What enabled reconciliation and restoration to occur?
3. How did the father express reconciliation?
4. How did the father exhibit restoration?
5. How has God expressed reconciliation and restoration to you?
1. What does forgiveness release others...
a. from?
b. into?
2. What does forgiveness release you from?
3. Is there anyone you need to release?
4. Is there anyone with whom you need to be reconciled? If yes, what can you do to start the process?
5. Is there anyone with whom you need to experience restoration? If yes, what can you do to actuate it?
6. Have you ever been forgiven? What effect did it have on you?