1. How well prepared do you think couples are today, upon entering into marriage, to live in forgiveness?
2. In his message Russ made this statement: “Quite frankly, the great need husbands and wives have to forgive and receive forgiveness from each other is, in all likelihood, the most essential element and primary need in a marriage relationship.” In light of your own experience, how accurate do you think this statement is? Which is more difficult for you to verbalize: “Will you forgive me?” or “I will forgive you.”
3. Read Matthew 5:23-24. In what context does Jesus make this statement? How does it apply to your marriage? According to Jesus in this passage whose responsibility is it to initiate the forgiveness process? And what is the extent of the responsibility?
4. What does it mean to be reconciled? Does reconciliation always mean that the relationship can return to normal? What happens when the other party refuses to be reconciled? Read Romans 12:18. Is peace with all men possible? What is the statement really saying about our own heart?
5. How does ‘GRACE’ relate to the concept of forgiveness? Is grace fair? [cf. Eph. 1:7]
6. Read: Col. 1:21-22; Col. 2:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:18-20. What is the spiritual model that is laid out for us in these passages? How can these scriptures be applied in our relationship with our spouses?
7. Who is usually the first person in your marriage to apologize when there is a conflict? How often do you seek forgiveness in your marriage relationship? When was the last time you were the first one to say the words, “Will you forgive me?”
8. Read Ephesians 4:31-32 slowly and in at least three or four different translations. What is the crux of the message? How must we supply forgiveness to others? Read Matthew 6:9-15 and Mark 11:22-26. Why must we supply forgiveness to others?
9. What does it means to forgive “just as” we have been forgiven by God in Christ? How does God forgive? What are the characteristics of God’s forgiveness of our transgressions? List as many as you can think of along with scriptural references. [cf. Ps. 103:8-12; Isa. 43:25; Jer. 31:34; Mic. 7:18-19; Lk. 23:34, etc.]
10. Read Psalm 86:5. Most people are at least willing to forgive over time, but can you say that you reflect this attribute of God? Do you stand “ready to forgive ... to all who call upon you?” Especially when it is your spouse? Take time to pray that God would indeed flood your own heart with His spirit of forgiveness, not only for your sake, but also for the sake of others.
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