7 Practices for Spiritual Growth | Session 3: Forgiveness

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Serving Others

  • Introduction
    • Forgiveness is a pillar of Christian living.
    • Luke 23:34; Matthew 6:12,14-15.
    • It should be in the DNA of every Christ-Follower
  • Forgiveness Testimony
    • When we choose bitterness we are allowing someone else run our lives and we’re choosing chains when Jesus has given us freedom. 
  • Science of Forgiveness
    • Science proves that bitterness and unforgiveness actually affect and hurt our bodies. 
    • It increases blood pressue, stress, heart rate, and sweat activity.
    • Forgiveness lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and lowers tension in the frown muscles of the fact.
    • Do you believe that forgiving someone can cause improved health? Why or why not?
    • “Forgiveness is anything but weak because the forgiver is not condoning, excusing, forgetting, or necessarily even reconciling with the other because none of these qualities is a moral virtue centered in goodness as is forgiveness. When a person forgives, he does not abandon justice, but instead exercises this virtue along with the mercy that is forgiveness.” -Robert Enright
  • The Bible on Forgiveness
    • Forgiveness is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit that is causing one to be more like Christ and in turn, helping the believer grow spiritually.
      • Ephesians 4:31-32
      • 1 John 1:9
      • Matthew 6:9-15
  • Forgiveness in Modern Culture
    • “Cancel Culture”
    • Forgiveness should cause us to seek reconciliation, though it doesn’t always happen. 
    • Forgiveness does not excuse consequences or turn a blind eye to injustice. 
    • We are commanded to live a lifestyle of forgiveness, not a life style of being offended.
  • Whom do you need to forgive?
    • What is something you need to forgive someone else for?
    • What is something you need to forgive yourself for?
    • What is something you need to forgive God for?
    1.