Principle
Lessons on Forgiveness
God forgives us through Jesus, so we can forgive others.
4 lessons
In the BeginningJoseph Forgives His BrothersGenesis 41:1-45:15; Genesis 50:15-21God turned the evil Joseph's brothers did into good, and Joseph forgave them, a picture of how Jesus forgives us.Old TestamentForgiveness
Forgiven So Much: The Unforgiving ServantMatthew 18:21-35; Genesis 4:24; Colossians 2:13-14; Ephesians 4:32Peter asked Jesus, "How many times should I forgive? Seven times?" Jesus said, "Not seven times, but seventy-seven times!" Then He told a story. A servant owed a king ten thousand talents, a debt so huge he could never pay it. He begged for more time, and the king had compassion and canceled the whole debt. But that servant found a man who owed him a hundred denarii, grabbed him and threw him in prison. The king was furious – "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?" Forgiveness means letting go of what others owe us, because God has forgiven us so much more.New TestamentForgiveness
Breakfast on the BeachJohn 21:1-19Peter had said three times that he didn't know Jesus. After Jesus rose, Peter went fishing and caught nothing all night. In the morning, Jesus filled their net with fish and made them breakfast on the beach. Then He asked Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" Jesus forgave Peter and gave him a new job. Jesus forgives us and gives us a fresh start.New TestamentForgiveness
The Church BeginsStephen ForgivesActs 6:8-8:4; Luke 23:34, 46Stephen loved Jesus and told others about Him. When angry men hurt him, Stephen saw Jesus in heaven and prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," forgiving them just as Jesus forgave.New TestamentForgiveness