Week 5: Real Forgiveness Study Group (Boundaries In Reconciliation)

You have made it through the challenging work of forgiveness! Well done!!!!!!! This week we will examine how reconciliation can look in many relationships.

Video for Week 5

Our goal is to reconcile relationships. Often, to rebuild trust, we must learn to set godly boundaries. Let’s talk about that!

Scriptures For Week 5

Verses for deeper study on forgiveness and reconciliation this week.

• Genesis 3:21
• Matthew 5:23-24
• Luke 12:58
• 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
• *2 Corinthians 12:9
• 1 John 3:18
• Psalm 51:17
• 1 John 1:9
• Acts 3:19
• Ephesians 1:7
• Matthew 18:15-20
• Isaiah 41:10
• Exodus 14:14
• *Galatians 6:9
• Proverbs 4:23
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Isaiah 55:9
• Matthew 16:24-25
• John 10:10

Main Verses To Meditate On

These are two main passages that will guide our time together this week.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9 NKJV)

Want to dig deeper into what Galatians 6:9 means? Click this link ~> Stop Growing Weary By Setting Godly Boundaries: Wait On The Lord

You can also download the verses in order if it helps you focus through your quiet time.

Reflection Questions

These questions are meant to help you reflect on the lessons from each day and apply them to your life. Be sure to journal through them and share any thoughts in the comments section at the end of the post.

Day 21 – Real Talk About Reconciliation

1. For you, personally, what makes reconciling broken relationships difficult?
2. How does knowing all Christians are called to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–19) shift how you will handle strained relationships?

Day 22 – God’s Way of Reconciliation

1. Which of the four steps (forgiveness, managing expectations, setting boundaries, measuring change) is hardest for you right now?
2. Where do you need to extend more grace to yourself in the process of reconciling with others?

Day 23 – Steps to Reconcile Any Relationship

1. What stops you or causes you to hesitate from having ongoing conversations about unresolved issues?
2. Thinking of a specific relationship for you… What proof of change could you watch for to discern if reconciliation is actually happening?

Day 24 – The Truth of Reconciliation

1. How could you be more patient with yourself in the process of reconciliation?
2. Are you working with a difficult relationship that can be reconciled and a toxic one that cannot (describe it here)?

Day 25 – When It Doesn’t Work

1. How can you tell if you are truly trusting God with a painful relationship—or if you are trying to stay in control?
2. Where do you have godly boundaries and where do you have controlling walls set up?

Real Forgiveness Challenge for Week 5

Now that you’ve successfully walked through the hard work of forgiveness and learned how reconciliation can happen when both hearts are willing, I want to challenge you.

Reconciliation isn’t always possible. That’s not on you when you’ve done the work we’ve learned about over the past 5-weeks.

This week, we will practice surrendering those unreconciled relationships to God, knowing He is faithful to bring healing, even when others will not change.

Small Step Challenge:

Choose one relationship that feels impossible to reconcile and write that name on a slip of paper. Use it in your Bible or prayer journal as a bookmark. Let it remind you to trust this relationship fully to the Lord.

Stretch Challenge:

Write out a prayer surrendering this relationship to Jesus. Honestly tell him about all the hard parts of this situation. Keep it somewhere you can refer back to when bitterness or hopelessness whisper in your ear.

Personal Growth Challenge:

The goal is surrender. Surrender isn’t a choice you make once – rather, it’s a daily decision bathed in prayer. If you want to grow in this discipline—learning how to pray powerfully —I’d love to invite you to join me in the Prayer Workshop. It’s a step-by-step (self-paced) resource to help you build a life of prayer that can cover you in peace through struggles like these and more.

in HIS love,

Be sure to keep up with the study on the main study page ~> Real Forgiveness Book Club