Week 1: Real Forgiveness Study Group (What is Forgiveness?)

Welcome to week 1 of the Real Forgiveness Study Group! I’m so glad you’re committing to this journey—real, biblical forgiveness takes faith and obedience, and of course, it’s better in community!

This week, we will learn what real forgiveness is and what it is not. Misunderstanding this or accepting the culture’s definition keeps us from maturing in our faith walk as Believers. We will also see why we must choose to forgive and what happens when we refuse to forgive.

Video for Week 1

This week we will walk through abundant life and how that applies to real forgiveness. Check out the video!

Scriptures For Week 1

As we study together, I want to encourage you to dig deeply into Scripture. God’s Words will change your life if you spend the time abiding in them. These verses will guide our study this week (I suggest writing out one as a memory verse):

• *Matthew 6:14-15
• *John 10:10
  • My oldest and I are studying, a week ahead of you, and she now rolls her eyes every time she sees these two passages in the text.
    • Meditate on them.
    • Memorize them.
      • These truths are transformational – even if you are 16 and your mom wrote the study!!!!
• Jeremiah 29:11-13
• Colossians 3:13
• 1 John 1:9
• Habakkuk 1:13
• Isaiah 59:2
• Romans 3:23
• Romans 7:15
• John 3:16
• Romans 6:33
• Romans 10:9
• Deuteronomy 32:35
• Romans 12:17-19
• 1 Corinthians 13:5
• Luke 17:3-4
• Ephesians 4:26-27
• Ephesians 4:29-31
• Psalm 66:18
• Hebrews 12:15

Main Verses To Meditate On

These are the two verses that will guide our week most heavily.

“For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 NASB)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NASB)

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

Reflection Questions

As we study together this week, I’d love to hear some of your thoughts.

Day 1:

• What do you think forgiveness is?
• Are there things that make you made or confused about forgiveness?

Day 2:

• Have you ever felt unforgiven when you were genuinely repentant or when you had done nothing to deserve the anger of another?
• What is something you know God forgave you of but you struggled to forgive yourself?

Day 3:

• How would you describe God to someone mature in their faith—someone you could be completely honest with, without fear of confusing or scaring them?
• Around what people or situations have you built walls to protect yourself?

Day 4:

• What are some reasons you choose not to forgive?
• Does it ever feel unfair that God expects us to forgive so much?

Day 5:

• How would you describe abundant life?
• How has your understanding of forgiveness shifted this week?

Real Forgiveness Challenge for Week 1

I want to have small wins each week as we work toward genuine forgiveness in whatever area you choose. This week:

On a note card, write out:

1. Side one: the new definition of forgiveness.
2. Side two: a prayer asking God to let this definition of forgiveness go heart-deep. Keep it honest and raw—He can handle it.

Leave a comment below: What’s one thing that stood out to you this week?

Some questions to think on as we close the week:

• What is real forgiveness?
• Why does it matter that we get this right?
• Who are we really hurting by refusing to grow in this area?

in HIS love,

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