“The Journey of Forgiveness”
Goal of the Class: Change.
Consider two different models of learning:
The Greek Model: “If you know it, you got it!”
The Hebrew Model: “If you do it, you know it!”
Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17).
Truth is not just something to be learned; it’s something to be lived. It is only in
the application of the truths about forgiveness that its power and promise for our
lives can be fully realized.
Prayer: Real forgiveness is not something we can just go and “do” – True forgiveness is
a work of the Spirit in our hearts bearing witness in us to the deep deep mercy and grace
of our God. Please pray that your understanding and appreciation of God’s mercy for
you will deepen as you review and reflect on this theme. Psalm 139:23-24 is a good
prayer.
Each 45 minute class will consist of a lecture followed by 10-15 of questions and
comments. Each class will include “homework” for the following week. Homework
may include a reading, reflection questions, and/or a sermon to listen to and answer some
follow up questions. Homework will be reviewed at the beginning of each class. If you
have not done the homework you can listen to the discussion.
All homework, recordings or the class and sermons can be found on the church website
under “sermons and studies”.
Summary:
Working Definition: Forgiveness is releasing the guilty person from the punishment
due to them for their sins against us.
Basis: Forgiveness from all our sins achieved through Jesus’ death on the cross
becomes the basis of our ability to forgive others. Failure to forgive others points to
our own unbelief in that we do not accept God’s forgiveness and we insist on living on
the basis of justice instead of mercy.
Class Outline:
April 3: Foundational Ideas About Forgiveness From Matthew 18:21-35
April 10: Misconceptions About Forgiveness (Forgiveness is made more difficult when
we have mistaken assumptions about the nature of forgiveness.
April 17: Dealing with Shame, Guilt, Bitterness and Resentment
April 24 : A Gospel Paradigm for Forgiveness
May 1: Questions and Specific Applications