Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

Series Overview

We all want forgiveness, but we’re not always eager to give it out, are we? And for some of us, there are some very big hurts that have a grip on our lives. Things that were done, or not done, that wounded us. Even the very memory of those things brings up the emotions as fresh as they were when they were new. So how do you move on? How do you get past the hurt and pain? And how do you push past something you know you should do to the point where you can finally release it?

Session One: First Things First

It feels good to receive forgiveness, doesn’t it? When we’ve messed up, when we’ve hurt someone, we want to know that what we’ve done wrong can be overlooked and gotten over. But when we’ve been hurt, when we’ve been wounded, when we’re the one left a little worse for the wear, it’s not quite as easy to extend forgiveness, is it? Still, as difficult as it is to do, there’s a value in pursuing forgiveness. There’s a value in being committed to the process—no matter how long it takes. And it goes beyond something we “should” do to something we have to do for the sake of ourselves—and for our future.
Session One Parent Cue: Where is forgiveness an issue in my life? How does it affect my life?

Session Two: Letting Go

Chances are when we began talking about forgiveness, someone very specific came to mind—someone who did something to hurt you and who you haven’t quite figured out how to pardon. Who is that person that wounded you or disappointed you? When you think of your hurt do you see only the person who offended you? If you’re like most, it’s hard to separate the wrong done to you from the person who hurt you. But what if you began to see him or her as a human being? What if you learned how to name the origin of the hurt? It may help you move forward. It may even begin to help you release the pain.
Session Two Parent Cue: What hurts the most about the forgiveness issue in my life?

Session Three: Moving On

Putting forgiveness into process is daunting. It forces us to deal with some really yucky stuff—stuff that oftentimes feels better left alone. But whether it’s the offense itself, our response, our perspective or learning to relate to someone we would rather avoid, the practice of forgiveness is one we need to learn to involve ourselves in. So what does that actually look like? Is it a conversation? Is it an action? There’s not really a formula for this. And while our actions and words are important, it is our commitment to the process that is crucial and will get us to the place we need to be.
Session Three Parent Cue: What is a next step I need to take to move towards forgiveness?