Pentecost 13 - Small Group Questions

If you were not with us on Sunday you can listen to this sermon here.

Mt 18:21-35
1. Do you generally find it easier to ask for forgiveness or to forgive others?
2. Offenders in Jesus' day were forgiven up to three times; a fourth offense need not be forgiven. What does Jesus' answer to Peter's question say about forgiveness in the kingdom of God?
3. Who in your life do you find yourself having to forgive most? Do you understand the underlying conflict? Can you think of a way to break the cycle?
4. How do you usually handle it when someone has wronged you? Do you confront or ignore? Do you withdraw and sulk, talk to others about it? Do you hold a grudge? If you don't handle being wronged in a way that brings you peace and gives glory to God, how might you work to change this?
5. What have you found most helpful in forgiving those who have wronged you? Seeking counsel from someone trusted? Writing about it? Praying about it? Trying to see it from their perspective? Or something else?
6. In the parable, Jesus is telling us that in refusing to be merciful to others we deny ourselves mercy...we wind up in our own chains. How have you experienced this in your own life?
7. Share with one another, as you are able, the biggest hurt done to you by another. Have you been able to forgive them? If so, how were you able to do so? How long did it take? If not, are you willing to pray to God that you might want to forgive? What might help you move toward forgiveness?