COLONIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHLesson 6 introduction · Pastor Jeff
- Big Idea
- Forgiven people forgive. We receive God’s mercy for our sin, and we release others from the debt they owe us.
- Memory Verse
- Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
- Action Step
- Write a forgiveness prayer for one person, then pray a blessing over them every day this week.
- Outcome
- I’ve received God’s forgiveness and begun releasing someone who hurt me.
Receive it. Release it.
The Way of JesusRead before you meet · about 5 minutes
Start by receiving
Forgiveness begins with God’s forgiveness of us. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Confession isn’t groveling. It’s agreeing with God about what’s true and letting Him wash it clean. Shame says, Hide. Jesus says, Come into the light.
The debt we’re asked to release
Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive. Seven times? Jesus answered, “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!” Then He told a story (Matthew 18:21–35). A servant was forgiven a debt he could never repay in a hundred lifetimes. Then he went out and choked a fellow servant over a few months’ wages. The point is unmistakable: when we grasp how much we’ve been forgiven, holding others hostage for far smaller debts makes no sense.
What forgiveness is, and isn’t
| Forgiveness is NOT... | Forgiveness IS... |
|---|---|
| Pretending it didn’t hurt | Telling the truth about what happened |
| Excusing or approving what was done | Releasing my right to get even |
| Forgetting | Handing the person and the hurt to God, the just Judge (Romans 12:19) |
| Instantly trusting again | A decision, often followed by a process |
| Staying in a harmful situation | Compatible with healthy boundaries and safety |
Forgiveness and reconciliation are different. Forgiveness takes one person. Reconciliation takes two, and it requires honesty and rebuilt trust. You can forgive someone and still keep healthy boundaries. If you are in a situation involving abuse or danger, your safety comes first. Please reach out to a pastor or a professional for help.
A decision and a process
Deep hurts often need forgiving again every time the memory stings. That’s okay. Each time, you choose again: “Jesus, I’ve handed this to You.” Over time, the feelings often follow the decision. Here is a simple path to walk: Name it. Confess it. Receive it. Release it.
When You Meetabout 60 minutes
Who leads: The disciple opens in prayer and leads Connect. The discipler leads the rest.
Connect· 10 min
- Is it easier for you to ask for forgiveness or to give it? Why?
- How did your fast go? What did it reveal?
Read· 20–25 min
Read aloud: Matthew 18:21–35 and 1 John 1:5–9
- Compare the two debts in the story. What is Jesus saying about the size of God’s forgiveness?
- Why do you think the forgiven servant acted the way he did?
- According to 1 John, what happens when we “walk in the light”?
- Which step is yours right now: confessing a sin, receiving forgiveness, forgiving someone, or asking someone’s forgiveness?
Practice· 15 min
- Receive. Take two minutes of silence to confess anything to God. Then read 1 John 1:9 aloud over each other, using their name: “[Name], if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
- Release. Each privately write the initials of someone you need to forgive and what they did. Pray, aloud or silently: “Lord, I release ___ for ___. I give You my right to get even. Please bless them.” You don’t need to share details.
Pray & Plan· 10 min
- Thank God together for His forgiveness.
- Confirm the person you’ll pray a blessing over this week (initials are enough).
For disciplers: Listen more than you speak. If deep wounds, abuse, or trauma come up, thank them for trusting you, pray with them, and connect them with a pastor or counselor.
For groups: Keep the Release step private and silent. Never ask people to share names or details in a group.
Live ItThis week's action step
Write a forgiveness prayer (or a letter you won’t send) for one person. Then pray a blessing over them every day this week (Luke 6:28).
The person I’m releasing (initials)
My blessing prayer for them
Go deeper (optional): If you have wronged someone, go to them this week and ask forgiveness, with no excuses and no “but” (Matthew 5:23–24).
Pass It Onwithin 48 hours
Tell someone how God’s forgiveness has changed you.
Five Days with Jesus10–15 minutes a day
Use R³ each day: Read, Reflect, Respond.
Day 1 · Psalm 51:1–12
Pray David’s prayer as my own. What do I need God to cleanse?
Day 2 · 1 John 1:5–2:2
What do I need to bring into the light?
Day 3 · Matthew 18:21–35
How much have I been forgiven? Who am I still holding a debt over?
Day 4 · Luke 6:27–36
Pray a specific blessing for someone who has hurt me.
Day 5 · Genesis 50:15–21
Joseph said, “What you intended against me for evil, God intended for good.” Where might God bring good from my hurt?
Awareness: Notice the Replay
When an old hurt starts replaying in your mind, don’t rehearse it. Release it: “Jesus, I’ve handed this to You.” Keep a quiet count of how often it happens this week, and watch the number.
Ready to Move On?
I’ve confessed my sin and received God’s forgiveness.
I’ve begun releasing one person.
I understand the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.
When you and your discipler agree these are true, move on to the next session. If not, take another week. That’s growth too.