THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

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MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.

GROWTH QUESTION #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

GROWTH QUESTION #2

What did you learn from this week’s sermon?

GROWTH QUESTION #3

What was your most important accomplishment this week?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Luke 17:1-6 (NLT) 
1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 So watch yourselves!

“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!

opening question

What do you think Jesus is saying about forgiveness here?

INTRODUCTION

  • Jesus addresses two unavoidable realities of life: offense and forgiveness.

  • We will all face situations where we are hurt, disappointed, or wronged.

  • The question is not if—but how we will respond.

  • This passage shows us:
    • The danger of causing others to stumble
    • The responsibility to forgive repeatedly
    • The kind of faith required to live this way

truth #1

YOUR LIFE EITHER BUILDS FAITH OR BREAKS IT.

Luke 17:1-2 (NLT) - 1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.

  • Jesus is clear: sin will happen—but leading others into sin is serious.

  • No one lives a purely private life. People are watching, and what we do affects others.

  • Your actions can either strengthen someone’s faith or push them away from God.

  • Whether you realize it or not, you’re having an influence on people.

  • Our integrity, consistency, and response under pressure really matter.

  • Jesus wants us to know that leading someone into sin has real spiritual consequences.

Romans 14:13 (NLT) - Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Matthew 5:16 (NLT) - In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Who has had the biggest influence on your faith—and what specifically did they do that impacted you?

truth #2

FORGIVENESS IS A LIFESTYLE, NOT A ONE-TIME DECISION.

Luke 17:3-4 (NLT) - 3 So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive. 

  • Jesus points out something important: People will hurt you—even believers.

  • The command is not to avoid people, but to handle conflict the right way.

  • When conflict happens, address it honestly and forgive it completely.

  • Forgiveness is not occasional—it’s ongoing.

  • “Seven times a day” isn’t about counting; it means there is no limit to forgiveness.

  • Forgiveness is not saying it didn’t matter or ignoring the issue.

  • Forgiveness is releasing the offense and refusing to hold it over someone.

  • Forgiveness has to become a way of life, not a one-time act, or you’ll carry offense with you for the rest of your life.

Colossians 3:13 (NLT) - Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Is there a situation where you’ve held back forgiveness because you’re afraid of getting hurt again?

truth #3

REAL FAITH DOES WHAT FEELS IMPOSSIBLE.

Luke 17:5-6 (NLT) - 5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” 6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!” 

  • The disciples' response to Jesus’ standard for forgiveness was, “We don’t have enough faith for that!”

  • Jesus corrects their thinking: It’s not about more faith, but real faith.

  • The mulberry tree was known for deep, stubborn roots. It was the perfect picture of things that feel impossible to remove.

  • A deep hurt or a repeated offense can feel like that in our hearts - impossible to let go.

  • But Jesus reminds us that we don’t have to do it all alone.  We simply have to put the little faith that we have in Him, and what feels impossible will be accomplished.

  • When it comes to the deepest hurts and longest hang-ups inside of us, it can feel like they are a part of our lives that we can’t let go, but Jesus is telling us that releasing them to Him, in faith, is the best thing we can do.

  • We have to choose to trust His way is better even when it feels like it’s not.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT) - For we live by faith, not by sight.

interactive QUESTION

What is something in your life right now that feels impossible to move or change—and how might faith change the way you respond to it?

closing QUESTION

Which area do you need to grow in most right now:
your influence, your forgiveness, or your faith? What’s one step you can take this week to grow? 

GIVING

Giving in proportion to what we've received acknowledges God's
abundant provision in our lives and shows our trust in Him as the
source of all our blessings.

Deuteronomy 16:17 (NLT)
All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

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PRAY

QUESTION #1

Who are you praying for to be saved?

QUESTION #2

Who can you invite to the next meeting?

QUESTION #3

What are your prayer requests?