Session 5

Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35

Memory Verse: Matthew 18:33

Jesus calls us to forgive one another as He has forgiven us.

Jesus’s words in Matthew 18:15-20
gave rise to a question from Peter about forgiveness.
In answer, Jesus moved from a general idea
to the specifics of personal forgiveness.
Peter thought he was being generous by forgiving seven times.
Jesus, however, used a kingdom parable
to show why it’s necessary to practice a lifestyle of forgiveness.

Relationships are difficult because people offend one another.
Some never confront those who have offended them,
while others allow bitterness and resentment to overwhelm them.
Unfortunately, hurt feelings and broken relationships
are as common in the church and in families as anywhere else.
Christ followers must decide how we are going to respond
when we need to seek forgiveness-and when we need to offer it to others.

FIRST THOUGHTS

“I’m sorry!” Those two words carry worlds of meaning.
When a waitress uses them over and over during the thirty minutes or so that you are at her table,
they often lose any meaning.
But when they come from someone who has hurt you
and you can sense their anguish over that hurt,
those words can be liberating to you-and to them.
Forgiving others can be difficult but is essential for good spiritual and mental well-being.
Jesus calls us to forgive others as He has forgiven us. (PSG, p. 45)

Ask:

• Why is it often so difficult to forgive someone who has offended you? (PSG, p. 45)

ENGAGE

Identify:

Summarize this content from Understand the Context (PSG, p. 46) to provide background for this discourse:

“The immaturity of the disciples
led Jesus to teach extensively about relationships.
First, He placed a small child in their midst.
Referring to the child, Jesus pointed out
that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven
was the one who, like a child, was characterized by humility. .

Jesus spoke of ‘little ones,’
by which He was speaking figuratively of those who follow Him.
He gave a stern warning about causing a fellow believer to stumble.
The one who caused ‘one of these little ones . .
to fall away’ would be better off
suffering a terrible drowning
than to face God’s wrath for their actions (vv. 6-9).”

Transition:

Believers are called to demonstrate humility and to care for one another.
Those are kingdom values.
Another important kingdom value is forgiveness.
As we study this session, remember that we should forgive as Jesus forgives.
Look for ways to apply that forgiveness in practical ways each day.