Group Notes | February 12

Overflow: Making Room for Life: Forgiveness, Holiness and Peace
February 12, 2017
 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

There is probably no one who has not been hurt by the actions of someone else—some very severely, with life-long consequences. Can someone share an example, without using names, and tell how you handled or are handling the situation?

Discouragement is a burden that can suffocate our spirit. Last week we looked at that which we bring on ourselves, and how we could change our perspective. Today we want to look at the discouragement that comes as a response to the someone else’s actions toward us, and choose to take steps to free ourselves from the anger by forgiveness. We want to lay aside the despair, getting our joy and peace back.

Focal Passage: Hebrews 12:14-29

Discuss:

Forgiveness

  1. Read verses 14-17. What does the word “work” indicate? What other verbs are in these verses? Who is implied as doing the working and watching?
  2. What is the consequence of unforgiveness in 15b? What steps can you take to forgive those who have hurt you?
  3. Read Matt. 6:14,15. What is another result of unforgiveness?

Holiness

  1. Read 14b. What are some evidences of a “holy life”? What is the consequence of unholiness?
  2. Read Eph. 1:13, Heb. 12:15 and 1 Pet. 1:16. What does God expect of us? What is the verb in 14b? Does anyone remember what the Greek word meant?

Peace

  1. Read 15a. What are you to strive for? How do you “live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18)?
  2. How does this apply to those who have wronged you?

Bitterness

  1. Why is it so hard to forgive those who have hurt us (verse 15b)?

A matter of the heart

  1. Read verse 28. What has God prepared for us? What does God deserve from us? Why?

Action Applications:

1) Make a list of those whom you need to forgive;

2) Put them in order or longest out-standing, or greatest in hurt;

3) Do whatever is necessary to actively forgive that person; if you no longer know where they are, ask God to bring them to you, or repent and realize you are cleansed;

4) Seek to live a holy life, putting the past behind you;

5) When a new hurt comes along, take care of it immediately.

6) Always keep in mind that, as God has forgiven you, so you should forgive others.

7) Move on with joy!

Close:

As Paul tells us in Romans 17, our sinful nature is at war with our new nature in Christ! It is not natural for us to easily forgive those who hurt us, or worse, hurt our children—it takes “work.” Not forgiving leaves us open to the enemy, giving Satan a foothold in our lives, and we can become bitter, which defiles others. It is imperative that, just as we have been forgiven, so we must forgive those who have sinned against us. It takes prayer and a heart that truly desires a close relationship with God to live in peace with all men. As you saw in the opening verses of this passage, the Christian life is not passive but active; it is not easy, it is “work!” It is not natural, it is Godly, and comes from a yearning to be holy. Pray for those on your action list, that they would be saved, coming to a right relationship with God. The more you pray for them, the more you will find love growing in your heart, and a desire to see them as a Christian brother or sister. Pray for yourself, as well, that you will be the example that others can point to as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Memory Verse: Hebrews 12:14: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

 

 

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