Forgiveness_ The Power of Forgiveness & Forgetting
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class concluded the series on forgiveness and forgetting by first revisiting the foundational passage of Ephesians 4:31‑34, where Paul urges believers to discard bitterness, wrath, and malice, and to be kind and forgiving as Christ has forgiven them. The teacher then contrasted the two roles in any conflict: the offender, who must seek reconciliation before worship as taught in Matthew 5:23‑24, and the offended, who is called to extend forgiveness in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21‑35). Further, the discussion shifted to the challenge of "forgetting"—not erasing memory but refusing to keep a score—drawing on Philippians 3:7‑8, 1 Corinthians 13, and Matthew 7:1‑5. The teacher emphasized that harboring resentment leads to internal torment and may affect eternity, while releasing the offense aligns believers with Christ’s example on the cross. The lesson closed with practical applications, urging participants to measure others by God’s word, to love without keeping a record, and to rely on the Holy Spirit to put the tortures of bitterness out of business.
Key Scriptures
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come offer your gift.
Then Peter came to him and said, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.' And the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants...