TEACHING NOTES

The first time the bible was printed with red letters was around 1900.

Things Jesus Didn’t Say:
…Father forgive them for they do not know what they post.
…Fool me once, and I’ll forgive you. Fool me twice, and I’ll smite you.
…Sorry, you’ve sinned too much for me to forgive you.
…I’ll forgive you, but you don’t have to forgive other people.

Debt: that which is justly or legally due
Debtor: one who owes God penalty or whom God can demand punishment as something due, i.e. a sinner

We are to forgive those individuals who have injured us who have not yet made amends to us.

How do you forgive someone for something that seems unforgivable?
• Start by praying for the person who offended you.
• Your prayer for those who hurt you may or may not change them, but it always changes you.

Forgiveness empowers you to set the prisoner free, and you realize the prisoner was you.

TALK IT OVER

INTRODUCTION
So many times, what we think Jesus said is not what He said at all. In this series we are going to look at some of the things the Jesus didn’t say which has a greater impact on the things he actually said. This week we discussed what Jesus said and didn’t say about Forgiveness.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. When you were younger, what did you and your siblings or friends fight over the most?
2. What kind of behavior do you find the most annoying, online or in person?
3. What grudges are you having difficulty letting go?
4. Why does the thought of forgiving others often provoke an emotional response?
5. Read Matthew 5:23-24. Why does forgiveness matter so much to God?
6. How do you forgive something that seems unforgivable?
7. How can you encourage yourself to pray even when you don’t feel like praying?

MOVING FORWARD
If you’ve been holding onto a grudge, spend time in prayer. Ask God to free you from the bitterness you’ve been a prisoner to and to help you forgive.

CHANGING YOUR MIND

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” —Matthew 5:44 (NASB)