WHY JESUS?
Week 3: Forgiveness
Calling ourselves Christians doesn’t mean we know the Christ we claim to follow. Its easy to invent our own version of Christianity when getting to know the real Jesus risks confusion, controversy, and life call. Join us as we ask the most important question you will ever address: Why Jesus? Why is forgiveness so important?
Listen to Sunday’s Message:
Sunday’s Message: “WHY JESUS? Part 3: Forgiveness”
Key Points from Sunday’s Message:
I need a Savior who forgives…and requires I do the same.
Jesus demonstrated grace & mercy as forgiveness that:
– precedes repentance
– supersedes vengeance
– is undeserved
– is unlimited in scope
Our capacity to forgive and be forgiven are connected
I forgive to the degree I know I need forgiveness
Scripture:
John 8:1-11
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (NLT)
Matthew 6:14-15
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NLT)
Questions for Further Discussion:
- Would you say “rules matter” in life? Why? How do you feel when rules are applied unfairly? Can you share an experience?
- Read John 8:1-11. Why do you think these kinds of actions by Jesus frustrated and angered some people? Why does forgiveness need to precede repentance?
- Read Matthew 26:50-54. What stands out to you about this comment from Jesus? What does it say about forgiveness?
- Read Matthew 18:21-22. Why do you think we like to put limitations on forgiveness? Why doesn’t Jesus limit forgiveness?
- Read Matthew 6:14-15. How do you see the capacity to forgive & be forgiven as connected? How does our need for forgiveness impact our ability to forgive?
- How would you describe a “grace-abuser”?
- Forgiveness is a process. Where are you at in your process of forgiving & forgiveness? What is your NEXT STEP with Jesus?
