Forgive One Another

ICEBREAKER
What is your favorite “go-to” article of clothing and why?

Looking back, what is one area of your life that Christ has helped you improve that reflects Him?

Today we’re talking about the command to “bear with and forgive one another.” The reality is that that we all have people in our lives that offend or hurt us. We all struggle with forgiving others. Forgiving is not only hard, but often we aren’t even sure how to forgive or if we will ever be able to forgive. But the truth is that as people who are forgiven by God, we need to forgive one another.

FROM THE TRUTH
​Read or review Colossians 3:5-14.

Why do you think Paul is using the image of clothes? What are we to “take off” and what should we “put on”?

Paul tells us to “bear with each other” (v13). That phrase means to be patient with, put up with, endure, bear with, accept or receive. How does this impact our ability to forgive others?

What makes extending forgiveness to someone so challenging?

Read Matthew 18:21-22. What does this parable communicate to us about forgiveness?

How does (or should) our understanding of God’s forgiveness to us impact the forgiveness we extend to others? Do you know just how much you have been forgiven? 

FROM THE TAKEAWAY
In order to pursue forgiveness, Pastor Mike suggested that we (1) tend to our wounds, (2) start small, and (3) thicken our skin. What has helped you get to that place where you can forgive someone for how they hurt you?

How can you become better at bearing with others and forgiving others this week?

FINAL QUESTION
How does living this “one another” make us irresistible people?

PRAYER
First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.