Freedom in Christ Course
Discussion questions for Session 7 Forgiving from the heart 

Pause for thought or breakout room 1

1. Why are people (including Christians) often unwilling to forgive?
   
   
2. In order to understand how important it is to forgive others, we need to understand how much we ourselves have been forgiven. Discuss this idea.
   
   
3. The four main aspects of God's character are: God is holy, God is love, God is just, and God is full of mercy.
   Look at the definitions of justice (giving people what they deserve), mercy (not giving people what they deserve, mostly withholding punishment), and grace (giving people what they don't deserve, mostly blessing). How does God come to us when we go wrong? How can we go to other people in the same way?
   
   

Pause for thought or breakout room 2

1. Don't get involved with evil spirits, like in the story in Mark 5:1-8. What is the reaction to the idea that unforgiveness opens the door to the enemy's influence in your life?
   
   
2. The longer you leave the hook in, the more pain it will cause you. Discuss.  
   
   
3. Read 2 Corinthians 2:10-11. What do you think about this statement: When it comes to forgiveness, the real issue is not so much between us and the other person, it's more between us and God?
   
   

Reflection

1. Don't take revenge (Romans 12:19). Spend some time praying together for those who indicate they are ready and willing to forgive others when we go through The Steps to Freedom in Christ. There is no need to sharing anything - just pray.
   
   
2. Discuss the following statements:
   "Forgiving has little to do with the person who (has) hurt you;"
   "Forgiving is not forgetting;"
   "God will ensure justice is done (Romans 12:19)."