If forgiveness is a must and not an option, how do we forgive? How do we forgive those who have crushed our hearts? How does one forgive the person who brutally raped and murdered their three year old daughter? How do you deal with the desire for revenge concerning the senseless murder of your teenage son? How do you keep from hating the man who assaulted your wife?
1. How would you respond to the following situation? Please note that the question is not, how should you respond, but how would you respond?
"Your eighteen year old daughter is raped by a neighbor. A grueling trial ends with a verdict of not guilty. On the way out of the courtroom you hear the defendant whisper to your daughter, "Only you and I know how good it was!"
2. How would you feel if you were the eighteen year old daughter?
3. Why is forgiveness so hard at times?
4. What is the difference between forgiveness and revenge?
Forgiveness is based on __________________________________ .
Revenge is based on ____________________________________ .
Forgiveness __________________________the offender.
Revenge ___________________ the offender.
Forgiveness has an eye on _______________________________.
Revenge focuses on ____________________________________ .
Forgiveness sees the debt as ___________________ .
Revenge demands ___________________ of the debt.
5. What enabled God to forgive us? (See, Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Matthew 26:28; 1 John 1:7.)
6. How is God just in justifying a sinner? (Ro. 3:23-26)
7. What motivated God to provide forgiveness? (John 3:16)
8. What are the motivations behind forgiveness and revenge?
(See, 1 John 2:9-11; 3:15; 1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.)
9. What is the basis for horizontal forgiveness? What enables us to forgive others? (See, Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13; 1 John 1:7.)
10. What is the motivation for horizontal forgiveness? Where does it come from? ( See, 1 Peter 4:8; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.)
11. Why might one prefer revenge over forgiveness?
A. What motivated the master to release the servant from his $3,840,000,000 debt? (Mt. 18:27)
B. What was the forgiven servants attitude toward the man who owed him $3,200? (Mt. 18:28-30)
C. How did the other servants feel about the unmerciful act of the forgiven servant? (Mt. 18:31)
D. How did the king respond? (Mt. 18:32-34)
E. What did Jesus say would happen to those who do not forgive from the heart?
Personal Application
1. Do you have your hands on anyone's throat?
2. Have you refused to forgive anyone?
3. Does someone have you by the throat?
4. What should your attitude be toward those who have you by the throat?
5. Do you know anyone who is living under the tyranny of unforgiveness?
If so, what can you do for them?
6. Who paid the debt that others owe you?
