“Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy.
May your kingdom come.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” —Matthew 6:9-12, 14-15

Week 1:

invites relationship, unlocks cooperation, and acknowledges, “We is greater than me.”

Week 2:

strengthens connections and can lead to mending broken relationships.

Week 3:

paves the way to gratitude and an expectancy to see God move on your behalf.

Today: “I

you.”

“The true saint burns grace like a 747 burns fuel on takeoff.” —Dallas Willard

“When everything in you wants to hold a grudge, point a finger, and remember the pain – God wants you to lay it all aside.” —R.T. Kendall

Is there any unforgiveness in your heart? Are you holding a

or a “pout?”

“Forgive us our debts,

also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

Unforgiveness is linked to

disease, high blood pressure, stress, and poor mental health.

Why We Don’t Forgive

They don’t

it. (It’s about your character, not their crime.)

We want the other person to go

.

We want the other person to

for the pain they caused.

We’re

of getting hurt all over again.

The bottom line is that forgiveness is

, and fear is a

Reveal Answer

.

Forgiveness is for

.

“Unforgiveness is like drinking rat poison and thinking it will kill the rat. The only person you’re hurting is yourself. You have to forgive for your sake.” —Mark Batterson

What Forgiveness Is Not

Forgiveness is not

bad behavior.

Forgiveness is not justifying

.

Forgiveness is not

(restoration of friendly relations).

Forgiveness is not

(compensation for injury of loss).

Forgiveness is not

.

Forgiveness cancels the debt of sin, not the

.

“Forgiveness is not returning to an abusive marriage. It is letting go of the bitterness, anger, and desire for retribution.” —Adam Hamilton

“If you find yourself in an abusive or dangerous situation, you owe it to yourself and to God to get out of it.” —Mark Batterson

Forgiveness in the Bible is to

, to let go, to release, to free.

Jesus connects God’s forgiveness with

forgiveness of others. (Matthew 6:14-15)

“Prayer for God’s forgiveness is unthinkable for one who is intentionally an unforgiving person.” —New Testament Professor Eugene Boring, Texas Christian University

We cannot ask for ourselves what we

to others. (Mark 11:25-26)

Paul taught the early church that forgiveness is a

of Christian conduct. (Ephesians 4:32)

How many times do we have to forgive? Jesus told a story. (Matthew 18:21-35)

A talent was worth more than 15

wages while a denarius was the

Reveal Answer

wage of a laborer.

Jesus’ mission is to

people to the love of God. (Matthew 26:27-29)

His strategy is

! (Luke 23:32-34)

Forgiveness brings

to earth.

We can make a “

” to forgive others no matter what they do or say. (Acts 7:59-60)

Conviction is feeling guilt over

sin, and it comes from the Holy Spirit.

Condemnation is feeling guilt over

sin, and it comes from the enemy. (Romans 8:1)

Action Steps

Don’t let those who hurt you

you. Ask God to forgive

Reveal Answer

. Forgive

Reveal Answer

.
Ask for

Reveal Answer

and help to forgive others.

Reveal Answer

the forgiveness with some kind of symbolic act.

My additional notes:

.