Week Two Forgiveness

Open questions / interactive:

1. Why do we find it hard to forgive ourselves?

   1. Low self-esteem- we do not feel worthy of receiving forgiveness

   2. We hold ourselves to a higher standard than others - we expected ourselves to be perfect

   3. We cannot let go of the regret - the ‘what if’ syndrome

   4. We are covered in shame - shocked by our own sinful nature and capability to sin

2. Why do we find it hard to forgive others?

   1. We have not given our burden and pain over to God.

   2. We hold high expectations of the offender

   3. We do not think they deserve forgiveness because we use our own set of values to judge them.

Helpful Scriptures

● The story of Joseph - his brothers betrayed him and sold him to slavery (Genesis 45:5,8)

● The story of Peter - he was so sure that he would not be loyal and brave to the end (Matthew 26:33-35, 69-74)

● The story of the lost son - he already judged himself to be unworthy of forgiveness (Luke 15:17, 21-24)

● The story of Paul - he was a zealous persecutor of Christians before he became a Christian (1 Timothy 1:15)

● Psalm 7:8,  Romans 12:19, 1 Peter 2: 23 I can trust in God to vindicate and revenge for me

● Psalm 55:12 betrayed by a close friend

● Matthew 7:1-5 Do not judge