1. The Pitfall of Unforgiveness (vv. 1-3a):

2. The Practice of Forgiveness (vv. 3b-4):

3. The Power to Forgive (vv. 5-6):

4. The Posture of Forgiveness (vv. 7-10)

For Further Thought and Discussion

Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

Going Deeper
2. What kind of sin does Jesus warn against in vv. 1-3a? Who are the “little ones” (see Luke 1:51-53; 6:20-23; 14:11)? How were the Pharisees causing them to “stumble” (see Luke 5:30; 7:39; 13:14; 14:12-14)? Why were the Pharisees so unwilling to let these people come to Jesus (see 15:28-30)?

3. What does Jesus teach about the practice of forgiveness in vv. 3b-4? Why did the disciples find Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness so challenging? In response to Jesus’ teaching, what request do the disciples make (v. 5)? How does Jesus respond (v. 6)? What is Jesus teaching about the nature of faith? How does faith make forgiveness possible?

4. In vv. 7-10, how does Jesus describe our posture as God’s servants? How should we view our service to God? What inferences shouldn’t we draw from this parable (compare Luke 12:37)? How does Jesus’ teaching undermine the Pharisees’ view of serving God? Why is this critical for us to understand, if we are to practice forgiveness?

Application
5. Jeff talked about the difference between attitudinal forgiveness (Matthew 6:12; Mark 11:25) and relational forgiveness (Luke 17:5)? Why is attitudinal forgiveness necessary for real relational forgiveness to occur?

6. Jeff provided a few thoughts on when and how to speak words of correction (v. 3). Which of these stood out to you? Why?

7. Jeff noted that, while we’re called to be “peace makers,” some of us tend to be “peace fakers,” while others tend to be “peace breakers”? What’s your tendency? How does this passage encourage/challenge you?

8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?