Forgiveness

This program is about the experiences of forgiving and being forgiven in our own lives and in the larger community. Through the topic questions, members can explore not only how these two actions affect us, but also the effects being unable to give or receive forgiveness.

Member Preparation

In preparation for this session, read the following quote, and think about times when you have or haven’t forgiven others, or when others have or haven’t forgiven you.

"There is a famous passage in the book of Exodus where Moses and Aaron ask the pharaoh to let their people leave Egypt. Over and over, the pharaoh refuses. And each time, we are told, the pharaoh's heart was hardened.

"This same hardening of the heart occurs in each of us when we do not lean in the direction of healing. With each passing day, and each refusal to seek reconciliation, we become more callous and closed to the possibility of reconciliation. And the wound caused by the injury becomes more and more a part of our being."
- Kent Nerburn, Make Me An Instrument of Your Peace: Living in the Spirit of the Prayer of St. Francis

These questions provide ways you may want to approach this topic. Remember to focus on just one or two of the questions, if you choose to use them, as this will allow you to explore the topic in more depth.

  • What or who do you find it hard to forgive, or impossible to forgive? Is it necessary for someone to apologize, for you to forgive them?
  • How do you feel about having a situation in which you cannot forgive?
  • Have you experienced forgiveness? Completely forgiven? Partly forgiven? Conditionally forgiven?
  • Are there are things that you would like to be forgiven, for which forgiveness does not seem forthcoming or possible? Or there things for which you have been unable to accept forgiveness?
  • How has forgiving, being forgiven, and either accepting it or not, affected you?
  • What religious instructions on forgiveness do you value? Which ones have hurt you? Do you have, or believe you should have, regular forgiveness practices?
  • How well do we as a congregation forgive?

Further Exploration