A Turkish soldier beat a Christian prisoner until he was barely conscious. He kicked him and shouted, “What can your Christ do for you now?” The bloodied soldier responded, “He can give me strength to forgive you.” One of the hardest areas in the Christian life is forgiving people (even other Christians) who have hurt us in the past. In this passage, let’s see what help Jesus can give.

I. Forgiveness is Difficult

II. Forgiveness is Divine

III. Forgiveness is Demanded

IV. Forgiveness is Doable

  A. Start Upward

  B. Move Inward

  C. Reach Outward

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to show you where you’ve chosen to hold on to hurt, anger, or bitterness, and ask Him for the strength to choose forgiveness.

Talk with others: Ask a mentor or trusted believer to pray for you as you work through any anger or bitterness you’ve been harboring.

Talk with kids: Why did God have to punish Cain for his sin? How was God merciful, even in punishment?