Famous Last Words - “Father, Forgive Them”

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Famous Last Words - “Father, Forgive Them”

Small Group Questions

Scott Parker February 28, 2016 - 1609 1. Has someone toward the end of his or her life told you some important words? What were they and why were they meaningful to you?

1. Jesus’

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of forgiveness

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’ And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.” Luke 23:34 (NLT); see Psalm 22:1-18

 Ignorance does not equal

2. When in your life have you found it difficult to forgive an offense against you? 3. Take turns reading aloud from Luke 23:23-35. Why would someone have to help Jesus carry the cross?

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4. What is the meaning of Jesus’ statement to the women in verses 28-30?

2.

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of forgiveness

5. When considering Jesus’ human side, how difficult would it be for Him to say the words of verse 34?

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

6. In what ways did the people not know what they were doing?

“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

7. Jesus probably knew that they would still treat him badly after this prayer. In what ways was Jesus modeling prayer for us today (see Luke 6:28)?

Luke 6:28 (NLT)

“Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)

8. Have someone read Romans 12:17-18 and Colossians 3:13. How are forgiveness and peace related? 9. What situations make it difficult for you to live at peace with everyone?

3. Jesus and ___________________________________________________________________________________ “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 (NIV)

10. What tends to hinder your ability to forgive certain people of certain acts? How does Jesus’ statement on the cross challenge you in that area? 11. Where specifically in your life right now is forgiveness needed? Pray together as a group for these situations.