Beyond Sunday - At The Movies "Home Alone"
Beyond Sunday, Week of December 8, 2024
Christmas at the Movies, Week 2, Home Alone and Talking About Forgiveness
Colossians 3:13
Thoughts: Sunday’s message was all about forgiveness. As I began writing this, I briefly went down a rabbit hole, researching the various Greek words (aphiemi and charizomai) translated as “forgive” in the New Testament, and the context in which they were used. And then I realized I was making it far too complicated. Why was I trying to over complicate a simple command to forgive as I have been forgiven? Simple is not the same as easy. Forgiveness can be difficult to give, and in some cases, to receive. But was I just looking for loopholes to excuse my own unforgiving heart?
Read: Matthew 5:23-24, 6:14-15, 18:21-35
• Peter undoubtedly heard Jesus’s teachings in the sermon on the mount about what we should do when you “remember that your brother or sister has something against you” (in other words, you offended someone else), as well as when “other people…sin against you.
” Sometime later, Peter comes looking for…clarification; exceptions; limitations; loopholes…
o What makes you question who and what you should forgive?
o What are some things that make it hard for you to forgive the way God asks us to forgive? Some examples of this could be pride, anger, resentment, past trauma, etc.
o What do those passages reveal to you about our Heavenly Father; about the importance He puts on our relationships with others and why?
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Hebrews 12:14-15
• I have heard it taught that there are at least four levels of forgiveness between humans. There is unforgiveness, where we hold onto the hurt and anger, letting it grow into a brooding bitterness that becomes part of our identity. Second is dismissal, where we try to pass off the hurt as if it was “no big deal,” avoiding dealing with the hurt. Third is where we let go of the hurt and the person who hurt us, hand the event and the person over to God, and choose never to be in relationship with them again. The fourth and highest level is what God offers us, RECONCILIATION, where the hurt is forgiven, healed, left in the past, and the relationship is restored.
o Describe when that third level of forgiveness would be (or was in reality) the most appropriate and why?
o In human relationships, that fourth level of reconciliation can be difficult to achieve. What are some of the barriers that make this so difficult and how might they be overcome?
o Some struggle to ACCEPT God’s grace; to live completely forgiven and free. Why do you think that is?
Read: Romans 12:18, James 1:19-20
• A great book that takes a fresh look at this issue of forgiveness is “Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better,” written by Brant Hansen. In it, Hansen writes, “It’s the taking of offense, and the very presumption that I’m somehow entitled to be angry with someone, that I’m talking about…Taking offense is so often a lot of work. It can wear
you out; but for some, it really becomes a lifestyle…[Yes, it’s] tiring to have to work through difficulties with people. But for what it’s worth, I’ve learned it’s way easier than starting over.” Those thoughts really resonate with me.
o Where does our responsibility begin and end in living “at peace with everyone”?
o Why would you say it is a presumption to feel entitled to anger? Why do we make that presumption?
o How does being “quick to listen and slow to speak” help us avoid taking offense and becoming angry?
Pray: Try using Psalm 139:23-24 as a model for your prayer: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anyone who “has something against you,” and seek reconciliation with them. Pray for anyone who has wronged you, for their spiritual healing, and ask the Holy Spirit if you should seek reconciliation. Ask Him to empower you in that reconciliation.
Next Steps:
• Receiving God’s forgiveness is based on a personal relationship with Jesus. If you haven’t entered into a relationship with Jesus, start your faith journey today by accepting Him as your Savior(1). If you want more info or help with taking that step, or just want to share your news, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com
• If you have chosen to surrender completely to God, but have not yet declared that publicly by being water baptized, you can sign up to take that step here.
(1) If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins. Completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. That is the biblical method of salvation. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, say a prayer to God. Tell God how thankful you are for Jesus. Offer praise to God for His love and sacrifice. Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and providing
salvation for you. That is the biblical connection between salvation and prayer.
Christmas at the Movies, Week 2, Home Alone and Talking About Forgiveness
Colossians 3:13
Thoughts: Sunday’s message was all about forgiveness. As I began writing this, I briefly went down a rabbit hole, researching the various Greek words (aphiemi and charizomai) translated as “forgive” in the New Testament, and the context in which they were used. And then I realized I was making it far too complicated. Why was I trying to over complicate a simple command to forgive as I have been forgiven? Simple is not the same as easy. Forgiveness can be difficult to give, and in some cases, to receive. But was I just looking for loopholes to excuse my own unforgiving heart?
Read: Matthew 5:23-24, 6:14-15, 18:21-35
• Peter undoubtedly heard Jesus’s teachings in the sermon on the mount about what we should do when you “remember that your brother or sister has something against you” (in other words, you offended someone else), as well as when “other people…sin against you.
” Sometime later, Peter comes looking for…clarification; exceptions; limitations; loopholes…
o What makes you question who and what you should forgive?
o What are some things that make it hard for you to forgive the way God asks us to forgive? Some examples of this could be pride, anger, resentment, past trauma, etc.
o What do those passages reveal to you about our Heavenly Father; about the importance He puts on our relationships with others and why?
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Hebrews 12:14-15
• I have heard it taught that there are at least four levels of forgiveness between humans. There is unforgiveness, where we hold onto the hurt and anger, letting it grow into a brooding bitterness that becomes part of our identity. Second is dismissal, where we try to pass off the hurt as if it was “no big deal,” avoiding dealing with the hurt. Third is where we let go of the hurt and the person who hurt us, hand the event and the person over to God, and choose never to be in relationship with them again. The fourth and highest level is what God offers us, RECONCILIATION, where the hurt is forgiven, healed, left in the past, and the relationship is restored.
o Describe when that third level of forgiveness would be (or was in reality) the most appropriate and why?
o In human relationships, that fourth level of reconciliation can be difficult to achieve. What are some of the barriers that make this so difficult and how might they be overcome?
o Some struggle to ACCEPT God’s grace; to live completely forgiven and free. Why do you think that is?
Read: Romans 12:18, James 1:19-20
• A great book that takes a fresh look at this issue of forgiveness is “Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better,” written by Brant Hansen. In it, Hansen writes, “It’s the taking of offense, and the very presumption that I’m somehow entitled to be angry with someone, that I’m talking about…Taking offense is so often a lot of work. It can wear
you out; but for some, it really becomes a lifestyle…[Yes, it’s] tiring to have to work through difficulties with people. But for what it’s worth, I’ve learned it’s way easier than starting over.” Those thoughts really resonate with me.
o Where does our responsibility begin and end in living “at peace with everyone”?
o Why would you say it is a presumption to feel entitled to anger? Why do we make that presumption?
o How does being “quick to listen and slow to speak” help us avoid taking offense and becoming angry?
Pray: Try using Psalm 139:23-24 as a model for your prayer: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anyone who “has something against you,” and seek reconciliation with them. Pray for anyone who has wronged you, for their spiritual healing, and ask the Holy Spirit if you should seek reconciliation. Ask Him to empower you in that reconciliation.
Next Steps:
• Receiving God’s forgiveness is based on a personal relationship with Jesus. If you haven’t entered into a relationship with Jesus, start your faith journey today by accepting Him as your Savior(1). If you want more info or help with taking that step, or just want to share your news, reach out to the church by calling (785) 775-0012, or email to info@myrockhillschurch.com
• If you have chosen to surrender completely to God, but have not yet declared that publicly by being water baptized, you can sign up to take that step here.
(1) If you want to receive the salvation that is available through Jesus, place your faith in Him. Fully trust His death as the sufficient sacrifice for your sins. Completely rely on Him alone as your Savior. That is the biblical method of salvation. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, say a prayer to God. Tell God how thankful you are for Jesus. Offer praise to God for His love and sacrifice. Thank Jesus for dying for your sins and providing
salvation for you. That is the biblical connection between salvation and prayer.
Recent
Archive
2024
March
April
July
August
September
October
November
No Comments