Forgive as God Forgave You

1. How has your opponent sinned against you?

1. What would happen if everyone did as he or she pleased without any restraint?

1. By nature, I am:

• A _______________creature. (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23)

1. Review the narrative in Genesis 3.

• Identify some of the suffering that Adam and Eve experienced when they first sinned.

1. What are some of the meanings of the phrase “I’m sorry?”

1. Since God’s Law tells us what He wants us to do and not to do, sin is breaking God’s Law. Working with this definition of sin, would you say that being angry is sinful? Why or why not?

1. What is appropriate about each person’s original desires?

After reading pages 11-53, discuss together these questions from the end of Chapter 2:

1. What has been your average worship attendance for the last ten years? What are the trends you have observed in attendance?

1. Identify what is biblically false or weak in the following:

- Excusing: Phrases such as That’s okay, No problem, or Don’t worry about it.

• Isaiah 59:2

• Romans 6:23a

1. Fill in the blanks for this common phrase. What are your thoughts on this statement?

“Sticks and ________ may break your ________ but _________will never _________ you.”

1. Read the following selections:

Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 22:37-39, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Matthew 5:43-48, 1 Peter 4:8-9, 1 John 3:16, Proverbs 10:12, Galatians 5:14

• What do these Bible passages say about our attitude and actions when we love others?

1. Recall the Commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).

What does this Commandment have to do with bitterness? Respond to the deeper meaning to “murder” as described in the following verses: 

• Matthew 5:21-22

• 1 John 3:15

2. How is each one sinning to get what he or she wants?

2. Fill in the blank for this common phrase. What are your thoughts on this statement?

“Talk is _________.”

2. How do you personally respond to others when you are angry?

2. Which of these sins has your opponent confessed?

2. Consider Luther’s explanation of this Commandment:

We should fear and love God, and so we should not endanger our neighbor’s life, nor cause him any harm, but help and befriend him in every necessity of life.

In this Commandment our Lord forbids us to keep _____________ and _____________ in our hearts against our neighbor.

2. An ______________ of God. (Romans 5:10)

2. Read the following selections:

Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 22:37-39, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Matthew 5:43-48, 1 Peter 4:8-9, 1 John 3:16, Proverbs 10:12, Galatians 5:14

• Do you ever find yourself unable or unwilling to love others the way the Bible describes it? When is that most difficult?

2. What qualifiers do people use to minimize their sin when saying they are sorry?

2. In the home -  Ephesians 6:1-3. God commands children to obey their parents in the Lord. We are to honor our _____________ and ______________.

2. Review the narrative in Genesis 3. 

• Adam and Eve’s sin affected others. What are some of the consequences of that first conflict that we suffer today?

2. What are your congregation’s total number of baptized and communicant members? Any trends that you have observed in membership changes for the last ten years?

2. Punishing: You deserve my judgment, condemnation, and punishment.

• Luke 6:37

• Romans 12:14, 17-21