Monday, February 15, 2010

Week 7: 2 Kings 24-Isaiah 3

The place of forgiveness in Love.

This study will address the content of the sermon presented by Jonathan Scott on 2/14/10. For context to the sermon and the primary passage in Isaiah 1, be sure to read the closing of the book of 2 Kings, chapter 22 through the end. Also, read the commentary in this week's edition of 'the Post.'


The theme of this week's study is forgiveness and its place in love. Think of a time when you were wronged by someone you considered to be close. It could be a serious wrong or simply a harsh word. Share that example with your group.


What impact did it make for you to forgive that person?


For many of us, it is far simpler to think of a time we have been wronged than a time we have wronged someone else. Describe a time when you have hurt someone else and have been in need of their forgiveness.


What impact did it make for you to be forgiven by the one you offended?


Contrast the experience of extending forgiveness to someone else with being the recipient of forgiveness.


Holding fast in mind your personal examples of forgiveness, recall the list of offenses of God's people in 2 Kings and the punishment this rebellion incurred. Talk about them with your group. Why were these things so offensive to God?


Now read Isaiah 1: 16-20 aloud with your group. What does God seem to be looking for in order to extend forgiveness to his people?


Where are examples in your life of people who need to be forgiven? Think of the difficult examples.


Having read the passage from Isaiah 1, now read Ephesians 4:32 and make a plan for forgiving the offending party identified in the previous question. Talk about your plan with your group.


Big Idea: concepts of justice appear in many places. It seems the availability of forgiveness is a unique characteristic of God's relationship with his people. As objects of his forgiveness, it should also be a unique characteristic of our relationship with other people.

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