Introduction & ice breaker
Think of a great mistake you made that you needed forgiveness from someone?
Think of an act of harm that was done to your person or property that you needed to forgive?
If you are comfortable, share either of these with the group.
Themes to Consider
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR WORST FAILURES
GOD THE MASTER OF FORGIVENESS IS SHOWING US THAT HIS REDEMPTION in the Gospel AND THE OUTPOURING OF HIS SPIRIT
is able to heal our wounds at every level
is able to forgive our largest and smallest wrongs
is able to change our lives in every sphere of relationship
is our personal and systematic hope for the world
“The story of Pentecost is a redemption of the golden calf story” - Marty Solomon
In the works of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we received Forgiveness for our worst failures....
Forgiveness involves
The power to release
The power to change
The foundation of our forgiveness is eternal substantial
The experience of forgiveness is a gift from the Holy Spirit
Discussion Questions
Caleb said: “For many of us our greatest struggles are things we return to.” Do you relate to this idea?
Where do you need forgiveness today?
Where do you need to give forgiveness today?
Guided Prayer
The Lord’s prayer has at its core the practice of giving and receiving forgiveness. Read it one more time and consider the forgiveness you need yourself and need to extend to someone.
Bring these before God first and receive his grace in forgiveness. Now ask for grace to forgive others and to ask forgiveness from those you have wronged.
“Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Supplemental Content
“God doesn’t just forgive sin; he transforms sinners into Christ-like figures and clothes them with Christ’s righteousness. And even these benefits are the effects of something much more basic – the presence and activity of Christ in human beings. Such intimate communion with God has been God’s goal with humanity from the beginning. We are made for God to live in us and for us to live in God. Forgiveness is one step toward the restoration of that communion, midway between our being sinners and our being new creatures.”
—MIROSLAV VOLF