MY STORY

1. What is the best April Fool’s Day prank you’ve been a part of?

 

2. Do you find it harder to forgive or ask for forgiveness? Why?

 

QUICK REVIEW

Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or something that caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

 

DIGGING DEEPER

1. Asking for forgiveness is an important part of the Lord’s Prayer. Is it a regular part of your pray life? Do you get specific about what you are confessing and asking forgiveness for or just generally ask for forgiveness?

 

If asking for forgiveness isn’t a regular part of your prayer life, consider using the acronym ACTS when you pray. The A stands for adoration, which is worship. The C stands for confession, which is when you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness. The T stands for thanksgiving, which is when you tell God what you are grateful for. The S stands for supplication, which is when you bring your needs and requests to God.

 

2. Forgiveness is not usually our first instinct. What does 1 Peter 3 tell us about why it is important to not repay evil with evil?

 

1 Peter 3:9–12 (NIV)

9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep their tongue from evil

and their lips from deceitful speech.

11 They must turn from evil and do good;

they must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

 

• What is the benefit that comes with repaying evil with blessing?

 

• What is the problem that results from repaying evil with evil?

 

• Have you ever tried to repay evil with blessing? What happened?

 

3. Our first instinct is often to hide our sins rather than confess them. What does Proverbs tell us about that decision?

 

Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)

13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

 

• What does God promise to those who confess their sins?

 

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

Psalm 103:12 (NIV)

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 

TAKING IT HOME

1. Looking back at this week’s sermon and study, what’s most important for you to remember?
2. Is there anyone you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? What’s keeping you from doing it?

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

•  
•  
•  
•