REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“OVERCOMING OFFENCES”

ICEBREAKER: Tell us if you ever found an unwanted critter in your house, garage or shed and how you got rid of it/them?

OUTLINE: 5 MYTHS ABOUT FORGIVENESS

1. Forgiveness is Forgetting

Forgiveness is actually choosing not to remember

2. Forgiveness is Excusing

Forgiveness is recognizing the absolute inexcusability but pardoning any way

3. Forgiveness is Blind Trust

Forgiveness is given but trust is earned

4. Forgiveness is a Feeling

Forgiveness is a decision

5. Un-forgiveness is Punishment

Not forgiving others does not punish them. It hurts you.

TEXT: Mark 8:22-26, Psalm 124:7, 8, Psalm 119:165

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. What is your greatest pet peeve? (Bathrooms without toilet paper, Stepping in gum, People who cut line…)

2. What is the most unusual thing that Jesus did in the scripture?

a. Walked on water

b. Spat in someone’s eyes

c. Washed his disciple’s feet

d. Healed a man’s ear that was arresting him

e. ________________________________________________

3. When Jesus healed the man of blindness in Mark 8:22 at first what did he say that men looked like?

4. What are some of the things that trees can do for us?

5. Why do we often see people for what they can do for us rather than for who they are?

6. After Jesus prayed the second time how did the man see men?

7. Often when we are a little bit healed but not totally whole, we are not totally blind anymore but we still do not see things as they really are. Many times we get offended with people because we don’t see the big picture as God does. Why do you think that even people who have walked with God for a long time are easily offended?

a. We are not totally healed

b. We do not love God’s Word like we should

c. We are not as mature as we think we are

8. What is the hardest thing about forgiveness for you?