Ephesians 4:31-32 | Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
What behaviors or attitudes are listed in Ephesians 4 that we should not do/have?
Colossians 3:13 | Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
What does it mean to “make allowance for” another’s faults? What is hard about living this way?
Who has offended or hurt you? How?
Matthew 6:14-15 | “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Mark 11:25 | But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Read MoreRemembering our memory verse is especially important for today’s parable. Living it out is a tough!! Our theme verse says-
Matthew 11:15 | Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
No matter how tough God’s directions are, we should live them out.
Read MorePsalm 91:1-7 | Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.
Read MoreHebrews 4:16 | So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Mercy is not getting what you deserve. When do you need mercy? What for?
Romans 8:15-17 | So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
The lost son thought he’d go back to his father as a slave/hired worker. What is the difference between a son and a slave?
Isaiah 30:18 | So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.’
Just like the lost son’s father, what is God the Father waiting for us to do when we’re far from Him in sin?
