DISCUSS

• What are your thoughts about forgiveness? 
• Does forgiveness mean that I need to forget?
• Discuss a time when you have either given or received forgiveness?
• What result did forgiveness have on you and the other person as the giver or receiver of forgiveness?
• Why do some people find it really hard to forgive?
• Has there been a circumstance that you have found difficult to forgive? Is there any situation that you would find it hard to forgive someone?
• What questions might people have about forgiveness? i.e What if the other person doesn’t apologised?
• How would you respond to these if you were asked these questions in your Ministry Placements?

Watch: Father of Oatland’s alleged drunk driver responds

Answer the following question in the quiz.

• Could you forgive this person if you lost your own three children to a drunk driver? Why? Why not?

We’ve all been hurt at times in our lives. Sometimes we forgive. Other times, we hold grudges and anger. Every one of us struggles with the best way to handle those kinds of situations where all you want to do is make that person pay to the highest extreme! What we fail to fully realize is that when you are harboring those negative emotions like unforgiveness, bitterness, and animosity; what you are doing is harming yourself more than you anyone else. The problem is that when you suppress strong unfavorable feelings and don’t let them go, it can create physical harm in your body. The good news is the Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness. Look at the impact this Christian response has had on others.

Watch: Parents launch National Day of Forgiveness after Sydney tragedy

DISCUSS

• Share your thought about this situation.