Real Life~Real Answers

Modeling Forgiveness

Stephanie looked at her co-worker Lacy and told her how she couldn’t believe how forgiving Lacy was being to the boss who had treated her so wrongly. “How can you not take this situation to management and get your boss fired!” said Stephanie. Lacy was thrilled to finally have this opportunity to share Christ’s forgiveness with Stephanie.  Lacy shared how she believed God would judge her boss in His time. Lacy went on to say that God had forgiven her of many sins and she wanted to show God’s forgiveness to her boss. She moved on to share exactly how God had forgiven her, through the sacrifice of God’s Son, Christ on the cross. The conversation ended quickly as their break was over, but Stephanie had a lot more questions she was sure to ask Lacy.

*How was Lacy was ready to “give an answer” about her faith?

*What could Lacy do to follow up with Stephanie about their conversation?

*It’s not always easy to share Christ in the workplace. What are some ways in which you can show God’s love to your co-workers?

Real Life ~ Real Answers

Embracing God's Forgiveness

A woman in church committed a visible sin and now feels that others judge her for that sin. She goes to church and sees others whispering and glancing her way, her friends don't really call her like they used to, and even her Sunday School teacher seems to struggle to treat her lovingly. This woman has asked for forgiveness from those who she wronged and has confessed in front of the church. She has been forgiven by God.


What should her response be to those who are not treating her in a loving manner? Is her state of being forgiven based upon what others think of her?

Real Life ~ Real Answers

Leading Others to Christ's Forgiveness

A woman you know comes to you struggling with depression. She finally admits that she committed certain sexual sins int he past. She was not a believer at the time and she has since been saved and forgiven for those sins, but she still struggles with the weight of condemnation. The memories of those sins come back to her and she feels burdened by them...like she just can't ever be fully forgiven.

How could you help this woman realize that she is no longer under condemnation and does not have to bear that weight in her life?

Love & Forgiveness: A Lesson from Christ

As we continue to study about the sinful woman that Christ forgives in Luke 7,  we ask today if there are ways that the church makes a judgement on a person or situation unfairly? Have you ever thought about if YOU have judged someone unfairly without knowing the facts and without remembering the person's need of Christ's love and forgiveness?  This passage shows us that Christ's love and forgiveness is freely given to any who come to Him.  It is not reserved for the elite, for the rich, for the most moral. It is given without strings attached to those who are in the most despicable sins, who are unlovely, and seem to be most unworthy.  We are challenged and convicted to love and forgive as Christ loved and forgave. How can you show Christ's love and forgiveness THIS WEEK?

The Promise of Forgiveness

1 John 1:9 is such a comforting verse to us as believers. It gives us the promise that God will forgive and cleanse us from our sin when we confess our sin to Him. He does this because He is faithful and just! We all know that we struggle with sin daily and what a blessing to know that God has PROMISED forgiveness to us when we sin - but we must confess that sin to Him. Why then would we not confess our sin? Pride? Embarrassment? How has the truth of this verse encouraged you in your walk with the Lord?