Group Study:
Pray Like This

Sessions
Study Resources

Session #6: As We Forgive Our Debtors

Connect20-25 minutes

Connect with your group about life in the past week, then discuss these questions.
In her book, Forgiving what You Can’t Forget, Lysa Terkeurst writes,
“When I wrongly think forgiveness rises and falls on all my efforts, mustered-up grit, conjured maturity, bossed-around resistance, and gentle feelings that feel real one moment and fake the next, I’ll never be able to authentically give the kind of forgiveness Jesus has given me. My ability to forgive others rises and falls, instead of on this: leaning into what Jesus has already done, which allows His grace for me to flow freely through me (see Ephesians 4:7).”
Lysa asks us to consider, “Have you been trying to muster up the strength to forgive others on your own? How does it make you feel to know He is inviting you to join Him in His work of forgiveness?” Share your thoughts.
Reflecting on Action Steps from Last Week:
If your group chose any of the extra prayer options, reflect on the brief forgiveness prayers or the Examen prayer recommended. If you feel comfortable, share about your time with either of these experiences.

Learn5-7 minutes

You will watch a short clip of the message from this series to set up your group discussion. The full version of the message is also available online to reference before or after your group meeting.

Discuss20-30 minutes

  1. How did you sum up last weekend’s message in a sentence? Give time for each person to share and see how your takeaways were similar or different.
  2. What does it mean that forgiveness is "a kind of suffering?"
  3. What was one line that stood out to you in the poem that was read, and why did it stand out to you?
  4. Without sharing any names, how can your group support you in the circumstances that God brought to mind?
  5. How does God's forgiveness influence the way you treat others?
  6. Read Ephesians 4:32 & Psalm 32:1. What is one small step you can take to forgive a person in your life?

Pray10-15 minutes

Ask for prayer requests and then close your time together with this prayer:
Good Father,
You are caring, forgiving, and full of grace. We are thankful that You sent your son, Jesus, to provide a way for us to be forgiven and through Him, a way to forgive others.
Help us slow down, listen, pray, worship, and take steps to forgive those who have sinned against us. Help us by the power of Your Holy Spirit live out Ephesians 4:32 which says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Be with us and guide us toward surrendering to You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Action Steps5-10 minutes

Between now and next week, here are some suggestions for action steps.
Attend the Weekend Service: If you could sum up the message in one sentence, what would it be? (Write this and any other takeaways in the Pray Like This notebook and bring it with you to group.)
If you and your group want to go deeper, here are some additional action steps. With your group, select one of these to commit to this week:
Prayer for Your Week: Consider this prayer for your week. “Lord, if there are people I need to forgive, relationships I need to mend, or areas where I’m not bringing my best, please reveal those and give me next steps to move forward.”
Diving into the Bible: Read about Jesus being anointed by a sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50. Reflect on the passage. What do we know about her past? What was her heart posture toward Jesus? What was Jesus' heart posture toward her? What can you learn from this passage?
Print Session Content

Sessions:
8
Audience:
Everyone
Format:
Video
Type:
Bible