Healing the Wounds of Trauma

Lesson 9 HOW CAN WE FORGIVE OTHERS?

1. Real and fake forgiveness Act out the following short skits:

1. Tim is sitting with his friend, Bruce. He says, “Last week Samuel really hurt me. Right in front of all the other church leaders he said I was no good at preaching. I can’t get over it. It still hurts when I think about it.” After Bruce leaves, Samuel walks in. Samuel says, “Please forgive me for what I said last week.” Then Tim says, “There is nothing to forgive. I didn’t mind.” 2. Pastor Jackson is talking toNate, a churchmember. Nate says, “I’ve tried to forgive my father for being cruel to me when I was a child, but it is hard.” Pastor Jackson says, “Well youmust forget all about that. Until you forget, you can’t say you have forgiven him.” 3. Lamont taught the adult Bible class last Sunday in the place of the regular teacher. A member of the class, Silas, argued a lot about a minor point Lamont taught. Later that week, when the regular teacher thanked him, Lamont said, “I never want to teach that class again!” He explained what had happened and how Silas had embarrassed him. The teacher offered to go with him to discuss it all with Silas. When they got to Silas’s house, Lamont expressed his dismay at the argument in class, his frustration at not being able to answer well enough, and his embarrassment. Silas apologized and asked his forgiveness, which Lamont was eager to give. ❂❂ SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION Which of these situations show real forgiveness? How is it dif- ferent from the others?

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How Can We Forgive Others?