Renovate: To Make New (Part 7): Taking Out The Trash
TO START:
Begin this week by asking your group to talk about a time when someone forgave them for something they’ve done, large or small. What did that person’s forgiveness do for you? What do you think it did for the other person?
TO READ
Before watching the video for the week, take a look at two passages in Scripture: Matthew 5:44 & Ephesians 4:29-32.
TO WATCH
***Trigger Warning*** - Elaine reveals her story of being abused by a family member as a child that could be very difficult/traumatic for those who have experienced similar trauma.
Now jump into this week’s session 7 video: https://www.anthology.study/Studies/Renovate
TO DISCUSS
If you have grown up around a church, you might know or have heard the phrase, “your sins are forgiven”, words that Jesus said more than a few times in Scripture. Forgiveness is a key word when it comes to faith but it may not be as simple as it seems. Mainly, because forgiveness makes us uncomfortable. It’s hard and it’s messy.
Read Matthew 5:44 again and then ask this, “is the idea of loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you challenging for you? Why or why not?”
And in connection with those questions, do you actually follow this call?
In the video, Elaine defines what forgiveness isn’t and also what it is. She defines “forgiveness” as “a choice you make, through faith in God, to give up the right to hold another person accountable for the wrong done to you.”
Do you agree with that definition? Why or why not?
In the past, have you defined or believed forgiveness was something different? Did you believe it as one of the things that Elaine listed as not the same as forgiveness?
Furthermore, Elaine shares her path to forgiveness that was brought about by the abuse of a family member. She makes it clear that this abuse can lead to a deep weight of shame and grief, it can imprison you in many ways.
So for you, do you think it’s possible to forgive someone who continues to do things that hurt you? Or someone who isn’t willing to repent for what they’ve done? Why or why not?
We know this is a heavy topic… so I want to invite you to think about this last question on your own and/or with your family and we will follow up next week.
So, is there someone in your life or from your past that you need to forgive? What can you do to take a step toward forgiveness? And how can our group support you?
TO CLOSE
When we think about forgiveness, we often focus on our relationships with other people but Elaine makes it clear that forgiveness has an even greater purpose: THE RESTORATION OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. We must remember that a lack of forgiveness can be one of the biggest hindrances to living fully free in Jesus
TO PRAY
This week in light of the topic of abuse, I want to ask our groups to pray a special prayer of healing for victims of abuse in our church, our city, our state, our country and our world. Feel free to use this prayer below. Also, please encourage your group members to let the ministers, elders or someone they trust know if they or someone they know is experiencing abuse.
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’