Week 4
“and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors… For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:12, 14-15
Monday, October 30th
Listen to “White As Snow” by Jon Foreman.
Close your eyes and listen intentionally to the lyrics.
What do these lyrics make you think of? What images come to mind? What lyrics stand out to you? Why are those specific lyrics meaningful to you? What could God be trying to speak to you through those words? Talk to Him about these things.
“Wash me white as snow
and I will be made whole.”
In light of your sins against a holy God, do you believe you can be washed so thoroughly from all of your sins that you would be white as snow? Do you believe that when God looks at you right this moment, He sees a beloved child who has been fully washed clean of every sin you have committed and every sin you will commit? Why or why not?
If this is something you do believe is true, listen to the song again and worship God for this reality!
If this is something you struggle to believe, listen to the song again and sing these words still. As you sing aloud, ask God in your heart to help you believe that no matter what you’ve done, your sins are entirely and forever forgiven because of Jesus paid the price.
Tuesday, October 31st
When was the last time you confessed a sin to God? Is this a regular rhythm in your walk with God? Why or why not? How do you feel when you do confess specific sins to God? Talk to God openly about this.
The author of Psalm 32:5 said, “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Remember that this is true for you, too. Thank God that He promises comfort, freedom, and joy when of confess our sins to Him.
Wednesday, November 1st
What is something you need to confess to God today? How have you sinned against God today? As the God who will forever love you unconditionally, confess to Him even a seemingly small sin. If you can’t think of anything you need to confess, ask God to search your heart and help you to see how you’ve sinned against Him (John 1:8).
Praise God that “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. Praise Him that there is freedom, acceptance, and joy on the other side of confessing our sins!
Consider confessing your sins to someone in our community group, too. Ask them to pray for you, with you, and to help hold you accountable in this area.
Thursday, November 2nd
The call in these verses of the Lord’s Prayer is to forgive others. Who is someone you need to forgive? What have they done to hurt or wrong you? Is it difficult to forgive this person? Why or why not? Ask God to begin softening your heart toward this situation. Talk to God openly about all of this.
Friday, November 3rd
Today, pray FOR the person you talked to God about yesterday. Ask God to help you see why they hurt you or wronged you; ask God to give you compassion for them. Ask God to help you see this person as He sees them. Ask Him to help you forgive them.
This might be difficult to do, but remember that prayer is a safe place to process through these things. God already knows what’s in your heart and loves you still, so you can talk to Him about your hurt when it’s still very raw.
Consider talking about this with someone in your community group after you’ve prayed about it.
Saturday, November 4th
Spend today continuing to pray for the person who has hurt or wronged you. Ask God to change your heart toward them. Ask Him to help you forgive more quickly next time this person or someone else hurts or wrongs you.
For your further study:
God forgives our sins:
Psalm 51; 32:1-5; 130:3-4, 9-12; Jeremiah 31:34; 33:8; John 8:1-11; Romans 3:21-26; Colossians 1:13-14; 2:13-14; Hebrews 10:15-18; 1 John 1:9
Forgiving others:
Matthew 5:9; 5:43-48; Mark 11:25; 2 Peter 3:9; Heb 12:14-15; Luke 7:4; Ephesians 4:30-32
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