How Do I... Series
Matthew 18:21-33 | Chris Meade | November, 2 2025
Matthew 18:21-33 centers on Jesus’ call to forgive without limits. It reminds us that forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel because it reflects the immeasurable grace God has shown us through Christ, who paid our unpayable debt. Forgiveness is not excusing wrongdoing or erasing boundaries but choosing to cancel the debt and release bitterness for our own freedom and spiritual health. Whether forgiving others, ourselves, or releasing resentment toward God, forgiveness is both an act of obedience and a witness to the transforming power of God’s mercy—freeing us from the chains of unforgiveness, allowing grace to flow out to others.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. What makes forgiveness difficult for you personally?
o Is it past hurt, a sense of justice, or fear of being hurt again? How does recognizing those barriers help you start the process of forgiveness?
o How does the distinction of FORGIVENESS and RESTORATION help you start the process of forgiveness?
o “Forgiveness is free—trust is earned.” How can you extend forgiveness while still setting healthy, God-honoring boundaries with people who have hurt you?
3. Read Matthew 18:21-22. Jesus says forgiveness should be “seventy-seven times.”
o What did He mean by that? How does limitless forgiveness challenge the way our FLESH—our culture—and even the church—often approaches forgiveness?
4. Read Matthew 18:23-33. Forgiveness flows out of being forgiven by God.
o How does remembering the unpayable debt Jesus has paid for you change the way you respond to those who wrong you or others?
5. Unforgiveness is a weight that hurts you and others.
o What are some ways you’ve seen bitterness or resentment affect relationships around you? Have you experienced this personally?
o If forgiveness is canceling the debt, what “debts” are you still holding onto? What might it look like for you to release your debts, other’s debts, or debts you are holding against God--over to God this week? What might freedom look like if you truly let go?
FORGIVENESS KEY:
FORGIVENESS IS:
FORGIVENESS IS the ongoing process and decision to “cancel the debt”… of letting go of the resentment and anger and bitterness being held against the one who has hurt, disappointed, or offended.
WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT:- 1. It Is not overlooking, excusing, or minimizing the wrong that was done. Minimizing wrong, minimizes the forgiveness.
2. It is not forgetting… or ignoring pain. But it does allow the healing process to start.
3. It is not a one-time event. It is a daily decision… an ongoing decision.
4. It is not losing boundaries, operating without wisdom, or automatically trusting again. These have to do with restoration. Forgiveness is free. TRUST IS EARNED.
5. It is not RESTORATION. Restoration takes both parties—the wounded willing to forgive and the wounder willing to repent—not just be sorry—sorry is not restoration—but living differently and building trust is the beginning of restoration. Forgiveness is only on you.
How Do I… Series
Matthew 6:5-13 | Chris Mead | October 26, 2025
In Matthew 6:5–13, Jesus shifts the focus of prayer from public performance to personal relationship. He assumes His followers will pray—not to impress others, but to connect intimately with their Father in Heaven. True prayer draws us close to God, aligns our hearts with His will, and reminds us of our daily dependence on Him for provision, forgiveness, and protection. Jesus’ model prayer—the Lord’s Prayer—teaches us that prayer is not about getting God to do what we want, but about shaping our hearts to desire what He wants.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. PRAY! Read Matthew 6:5-7. Underline the three times Jesus says “when you pray…” For Jesus, his disciples praying is an expectation.
o When is comes to prayer, what is your greatest struggle or hindrance? (example: making time…, knowing what to say…, focus…, saying anything out loud…, etc.)
3. Pray to the Father: Three times in Mt 6:5-8 Jesus says, “…your Father…” and then in verse 9, when giving the example of how to pray—Jesus begins by addressing, “Our Father…”
o How does this model of prayer give insight in WHO to pray to? When we pray, why is it important to understand who we are praying to?
o How does seeing the eternal God, who created the universe, as “our Father” affect how you see, feel, and talk to God?
4. Read Matthew 6:9-10. Aligning our Hearts with God: The three aspects of alignment Jesus shares with us—honoring God, wanting His influence and rule, and His will done.”
o Jesus starts this example prayer—focusing on these major alignments and coming under the influence of God the Father. How does this change how you view prayer? How would this change what you pray for?
5. Read these following verses on prayer: 1 Chron 16:11; 1 Thes 5:17; Col 4:2; Phil 4:6 These verses encourage us to pursue continual conversation and presence with God.
o How do these verses shape how you see the time/place/frequency of prayer?
o If God knows what we need before we ask it, and if we are to pray for our needs (vs wants)—revealing dependence on God—how does this shape what we pray for?
Spend some time praying—and putting each of these into practice: 1) Address your Father, 2) proclaim who He is out of worship, 3) Align yourself to His sovereignty, will, and power, 4) Pray for your needs and the needs of your community—recognizing our dependence on Him.