Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 1
Before you begin...
We as youth leaders in Garden City have been so excited to bring Pure Rebellion here! We trust it has been a
life changing event, but just as Paul tells us to "continue to work out your salvation" (Philippians 2:12), we
don't want it to end here. We want to do as much as we can to foster lives of accountability along this journey
of following Jesus.
I ended up with the responsibility to oversee follow-up and felt that developing a curriculum was a integral part.
I realize I could have gone several directions (and maybe we'll explore others in the future), but I decided
choose to a direction (with permission) based on The Good and Beautiful book series (The Good and Beautiful
God, The Good and Beautiful Life, The Good and Beautiful Community) by James Bryan Smith. These books
recently have been life-changing for me--even as someone in full-time ministry. This is doubly amazing as I
had soaked up Jim's teaching for 4 years at college half a lifetime ago. As I corresponded with Todd Gatlin
from Pure Rebellion, I identified concepts that tied in with the event.
Using the curriculum
This curriculum is divided up into 7 weekly lessons. Lessons are geared for high school students/young
adults, but can be modified as needed. Each lesson identifies a false narrative that commonly lead us astray
from what God really has for us. Through a series of discussion questions, YouTube videos, scripture readings
(NIV), and short readings moves the group to the corresponding Biblical narrative. After each discussion
there is an exercise for the week. These "soul training" exercises are opportunities to meet God and let His
narrative sink into your life.
Tips for the leader
•
This curriculum is set up for a small group (12 max) with a leader. The less the group knows what is
coming next, the more fullness you will find in your answers.
•
Go through the lesson ahead of time to get the layout. The big picture will help you transition smoothly
and let you be easier to follow.
•
The first question is always an icebreaker question. If you can get everyone talking on this question,
they will be more involved through the rest of the discussion.
•
While most of the curriculum doesn't not specifically cover the details from Pure Rebellion, look for
ways to incorporate the event into the discussion. Continue to connect the group back to that
experience.
•
Think of the curriculum as a guide. I won't be there and even if I was I wouldn't be offended if you go
down a rabbit trail. Some rabbits need to be pursued. Be prayerful about what God is doing and feel
free to use your own words.
SPECIAL NOTES ON SOUL TRAINING:
•
While weekly exercises might cause some grumbling, this is a great opportunity to take the information
from your head and let God work it into your heart. Those who do it will be glad they did.
•
Some exercises will be easier for some than others. If something comes easy for you (i.e. this practice
is a regular part of your life), try to up the ante a bit and find ways to be intentional about practicing this
soul training.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 2
FEEDBACK
I am always open to feedback and whatever you would like to send my way, we will use to fine-tune curriculum
for next year. Feel free to email any comments, questions, or ideas to jeremy@fumcgc.com. Thanks and may
the splash God made at Pure Rebellion continue to make ripples in your life, in your church, and in your
community!
Jeremy Hands
Youth Director @ Garden City FUMC
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 3
Lesson 1: God's Work
PRAY
1. Share names, a place each other would like to vacation, and any other information that is
interesting.
WATCH: Ice Hotels From Around The World - Norway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbNE06dnSSU
2. What strikes you from the video?
3. Which of you would be excited to stay somewhere like this?
4. What changes does the ice undergo through the whole process? Which of those changes is
the ice responsible for?
READ: Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
5. What stands out from this passage?
6. According to Romans 12:2, how is the transformation of the ice similar to our own
transformation?
*Do not be conformed and be transformed are both passive verbs. Just like the ice, true change is
caused by a force beyond ourselves.
7. Our narratives (what we think about God, ourselves, and the world) shape us. Share a story
about your life that has defined who you are.
WATCH: The Original Scary 'Mary Poppins' Recut Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T5_0AGdFic
8. If you didn't know the whole narrative (movie), what would you think?
9. How does this truth apply to our lives? What should we do?
THE KICKER:
If we want to experience true change, it must be more than just an action (e.g. no more
smoking). It must begin with what we think about God, what we think about ourselves and
what we think about the world. It must begin with the renewing of our minds. We are not
called to fix our eyes on our problems, but on Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:1). When we allow
God's narrative for our life to drown out all the lies that the world tries to tell us about
ourselves, true change can occur.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 4
READ: Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
Our culture is sleep deprived. It makes sense when you consider counter-cultural the following
is: In order to sleep, we must give up control--we must let go. You can't think yourself to
sleep. You can't concentrate on your To Do list while you are sleeping.
This week plan to sleep. You have permission to get a full night's sleep. You may choose to
go to bed early one night. You may choose not to get out of bed until you can't sleep any
more. (You might not want to choose a school day on this one.)
Remember that you are not doing this to make yourself holy or to earn God's favor, but to
place yourself at His feet that God may do His work in you.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 5
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
1. Were you able to practice the discipline of sleep this week? How did it go?
2. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Lesson 2: Saint
1. Share your name, something you excel at, and something you stink at.
2. How do you tend react when you have to do something you stink at? Why do you respond this
way?
WATCH: Dumbo Ending HD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNLiIehpLnE
3. What has changed for Dumbo from the beginning of the movie? What changed for him in this
scene?
4. Share a time (like Dumbo) when a change in your identity changed your life.
WRITE: Individually write down 10 words that describe how God sees you.
5. As you review your list, would it fit better under the heading of Saint or Sinner? Do you
believe God sees you as a saint or a sinner?
6. What is a saint?
*Scripture uses this word synonymous with Christian.
7. Why is it hard to see ourselves as saints?
READ: Romans 6:6
For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away
with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
8. What is exciting about this passage? What is difficult about this verse?
THE KICKER:
When we decide to follow Christ, the our surroundings don't change. It is us who change. It
can be a struggle to stand firm in this new reality--a struggle even Paul articulates in Romans
7. But Paul also repeated a phrase throughout his letters that reminds us of our new identity
as believers. We are in Christ. When God looks at a Christ follower, He sees Christ.
Furthermore, Christ has promised to be with us and has sent the Holy Spirit to empower and
guide us. We are not the same as we were; we are a new creation! Although it can be easy to
give into temptation, sin is no longer our master; we are no longer its slave! We must let God
tell us who we are!
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 6
Take some time to soak in the following passages.
READ: Colossians 1:27, Colossians 2:13, Galatians 2:19-20, Romans 8:1, 1Corinthians 6:19,
Romans 8:10, Colossians 3:3
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which
is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with
Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.20I have been crucified with Christ and
I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have
received from God? You are not your own;
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life
because of righteousness.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
Pull yourself away from the crowd this week and find some time of solitude. You won't have to
be someone you are not. Soak in God's presence for an hour and let him convince you of your
identity.
Remember, this is not about changing yourself, this is about placing yourself at the feet of
Jesus.
Here are some verses you may find helpful:
•
John 1:12
•
Colossians 2:13
•
Romans 8:9-10
•
Romans 5:1
•
Romans 8:38-39
•
Colossians 3:3-4
•
Romans 8:1
•
Ephesians 2:4-6
•
2 Corinthians 3:18
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 7
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
1. Were you able to practice the discipline of solitude this week? How did it go?
2. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Lesson 3: Fulfillment
1. What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
2. What do people want most out of life?
3. What things does our culture tell us will bring us happiness?
WATCH: Dan Gilbert: The surprising science of happiness (minutes 2:10-4:10) *Despite this video
being secular in its view of the world, these 2 minutes worth that do a great job of providing data to
show the cause of happiness is not what we generally expect. The rest of the video can also be
stimulating if you are willing to wade through Dan talking about evolution (at the beginning) and that
concludes that our happiness is all about our ability to manufacture it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q1dgn_C0AU
4. What did you think of that clip? What stood out to you? What were your answers to his
questions?
READ: Romans 1:18-31
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking
became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became
fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being
and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading
of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and
served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual
relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women
and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and
received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them
over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with
every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and
malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of
doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
5. Describe the process in this downward spiral. How would you describe this person at the end
of their life?
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 8
READ : Matthew 7:24-27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who
built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat
against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears
these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on
sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it
fell with a great crash."
WATCH: Lifehouse's Everything Skit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA
THE KICKER:
To borrow a phrase from James Bryan Smith, God has always been about "the good and
beautiful." That was the world he created. This was the world that he gave us responsibility to
care for. We see Him as a loving parent that desires his children's affection and loves even
when it was not returned. This is the life Jesus lived. We Jesus die because of the depths of
God's love and we see the beauty God is able to recreate through resurrection and
redemption. If we want this goodness and this beauty in our lives, it would be best to draw
near to the one who know it best. We should wear out His doorstep as we learn to navigate
through our lives.
"The question is not, What will I have to give up to follow Jesus? but rather, What will I never
get to experience if I choose not to follow Jesus?" 1
6. Who do you want to be when you grow up?
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
Write a letter to God. Tell him your hopes and dreams--not just what you want to do, but who
you want to be. What do you want to be known for? What legacy do you want to live? What
choices do you need to make?
Remember that soul training is about letting God into your life. You may find what you want
out of life changing even as you practice or as you go back to review. That's ok. Let God be at
work.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 9
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
1. Were you write God a letter this week? How did it go?
2. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Lesson 4: Kingdom
1. If you could journey back to medieval times would you? Why or why not?
WATCH: Monty Python- The Annoying Peasant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAaWvVFERVA
2. What was the tension in this scene?
3. What does kingdom have to do with the gospel?
* According to BlueLetterBible.com, "Kingdom of God" is occurs in 79 New Testament verses.
READ: Matthew 4:17, 24:14
From that time on [after John was arrested--just after his 40 days in the wilderness] Jesus began to
preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and
then the end will come.
4. Have you heard this gospel before? What do you think it means?
5. Why don't we hear more about the Kingdom of God in church?
6. When and where is the Kingdom of God a reality?
* Even though Jesus and Paul talk about the Kingdom of God numerous time, we really have no firsthand experience with a king or a kingdom. Let the following story evoke your imagination as you
ponder the implications of the Kingdom of God.
A STORY:
Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled a vast kingdom and everything was very good. He cared
deeply for His subjects. He made sure they had provisions and protection. The land and the people
flourished. Because the King cared so for His people, he also expected much from his people.
One day The Enemy snuck into the outskirts of the Kingdom and began to raise doubts that the King
actually had the people's best interest in mind. Rebellion ensued. People began living according to
what they thought was best. They quit paying taxes, they quit following the King's decrees. What once
was a flourishing Kingdom was now full of strife. Over time, roads were not taken care of, the forests
and crops were devastated, people no longer had the things they needed. Disease and crime was
rampant. In the midst of the chaos, The Enemy took some into captivity.
The King was aware of the happenings in that part of the Kingdom and sent out heralds to beckon the
people back into order. Despite their conditions, the people had gained an appetite for independence.
These heralds were not treated well, and their messages were more often ignored. And then, the
Prince left his comforts to journey to the outskirts of the Kingdom. He arrived amidst the turmoil, took
up arms against The Enemy, and tried to help the people understand the heart of the King. The people
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 10
left him for dead, but when He walked back on the scene they finally caught on to the power he has
over The Enemy and the heart of the King.
One by one, people began to join the revolution helping the Prince to take back the Kingdom. To this
day, the revolution is still happening. The Prince is leading the charge, freeing the captives, and
bringing restoration the land itself. One day it will all be new.
READ: Luke 17:20-22
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The
coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or
‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son
of Man, but you will not see it.
7. As you hear these things, does it change your answer?
8. What might it mean for our lives that God's Kingdom is here and now?
WATCH: The Kingdom of GOD - Whiteboard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVHz34eiSPE
THE KICKER:
What we do with the Gospel and God's Kingdom do not just have future implications for when
we die. The fact that the Kingdom of God is in our midst shows that God cares about the here
and now. He is at work in the world and the people around us desiring to bring redemption.
We agree with this every time we say the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:10). One day we will take
our last mortal breath and experience the fullness of His Kingdom, but until then His power is
at work and we are invited be a part of it! The restoration is what all of creation groans for
(Romans 8:22) and will be a fulfillment of the promise He made Abraham in Genesis 12: "All
peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Are you willing to humble yourself, let God do His work in you through the Holy Spirit, and join
Jesus in the revolution?
DO IT:
Have a knighting ceremony with any willing to step forward and bend the knee.
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING
Spend an hour playing. Don't be productive. Enjoy the time and be reminded that this world
and the present is of value to God. Perhaps this will give you an excuse to find time for your
hobby, or maybe you'll get down and play with some little kids. (They do it so well.)
As you play, be open to what God wants to show you.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 11
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
1. Were you able to play this week? How did it go?
2. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Lesson 5: Accepted
WATCH: Picking Teams for Powerball - Week 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDBZz4cQfIM
1. What memories did this clip stir up? When have you been picked last?
2. Make a list of those that our culture would consider blessed. Make a list of those our culture
would not consider blessed.
3. How does God view the people in this list? Are there some that He would avoid picking?
READ: Luke 5:27-32
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow
me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others
were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect
complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
4. How did Jesus shake up cultural expectations in this passage?
* Rabbis usually picked the cream-of-the-crop; Jesus picked someone who Pharisees made effort to
avoid.
5. Who are "the sick" (v.31)?
* Are they just the people who look sick? Are they just the people that go to the doctor?
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 12
THE KICKER:
Brennan Manning wrote a book called The Raggamuffin Gospel in which he captured the heart
of God for the misfit. In the section called A Word Before, he writes it well:
[The Gospel] is not for muscular Christians who have made John Wayne, and not Jesus, their
hero.
It is not for academics who would imprison Jesus in the ivory tower of exegesis.
It is not for the noisy, feel-good folks who manipulate Christianity into a naked appeal for
emotion.
It is not for hooded mystics who want magic in their religion.
It is not for Alleluia Christians who live only on the mountaintop and have never visited the valley
of desolation.
It is not for the fearless and tearless.
It is not for the red-hot zealots who boast with the rich young ruler of the Gospels, "All these
commandments I have kept from my youth."
It is not for the complacent who hoist over their shoulders a tote bag of honors, diplomas, and
good works, actually believing they have it made.
It is not for the legalists who would rather surrender control of their souls to rules that run the
risk of living in union with Jesus.
If anyone is still reading along, [the Gospel] was written for the bedraggled, beat-up, and burntout.
It is for the sorely burdened who are still shifting the heavy suitcase from one hand to the other.
It is for the wobbly and weak-kneed who know they don't have it all together and are too proud
to accept the hand out of amazing grace.
It is for the inconsistent, unsteady disciples whose cheese is falling off their cracker.
It is for the poor, weak, sinful men and women with hereditary faults and limited talents.
It is for earthen vessels who shuffle along on feet of clay.
It is for the bent and the bruised who feel that their lives are a grave disappointment to God.
It is for smart people who know they are stupid and honest people who know they are
scalawags. 2
6. Is a God that loves this way easy to accept? Is a God that loves you this way easy to accept?
Why or why not?
7. If we truly allow ourselves to accept this love, how might that change our interactions with
others?
READ: 1 John 4:7-11
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of
God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how
God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 13
him. his is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for
our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
PRAY: Ephesians 3:18-21
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s
holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love
that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power
that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
forever and ever! Amen.
SOUL TRAINING:
Be hospitable this week. You have permission to get outside your comfort zone. Pay attention
to people (put away your cell phone). Listen. Guess people's needs before they ask. Perhaps
you reach out to someone that is hard to love. Maybe you simply ask someone to join you for
a latte.
As you reach out, be reminded of God's love for you and the world.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 14
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
1. Were you able to practice hospitality this week? How did it go?
2. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Lesson 6: Sex
* You might find it helpful to use written responses so that your group actually responds and feels
safe to answer honestly.
1. If I could change something about our culture, it would be....
WATCH: Pure Rebellion Promo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZcniWODpk
2. What does our culture say about sex? How does our culture view sexual desire? (1=all desire
is evil, 5=all desire is good)
3. What does God think of sexual desire? (1=all desire is evil, 5=all desire is good.)
*Unfortunately, our silence in on the topic as a Church leads many to believe sexual desire is sinful.
READ: Genesis 1:27-28
So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the
ground.”
4. What problem do we have if we say all sexual desire is evil?
* This instruction occurred before sin entered the world!
READ: Matthew 5:27-30
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at
a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to
stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your
whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it
away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
5. What problem do we have if we say all sexual desire is good?
* Jesus is using a form of humor here where he over-exaggerates present day logic. The issue was no
more in the person's eye or hand as it was in their following the letter of the law. As with the rest of
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, the issue was in his heart.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 15
THE KICKER:
James Bryan Smith brings great light to this passage:
The word that is used for lust in this passage is epithumia. This word had a very specific
meaning. It does not refer to ordinary sexual attraction, but to intentionally objectifying another
person for one's own gratification. When I discuss this issue with students, I describe it this
way: Epithumia is not referring to the first look, but the second. The first look may be simple
attraction, but the second look is leering. Lust does not value the person but mere body parts.
Epithumia goes beyond mere sexual attraction. It intentionally cultivates sexual desire for the
sake of the feeling itself. It is the opposite of love. Love looks into the eyes; epithumia steals
glances below them. Love values the other person; epithumia degrades the other. 3
*So what about women and epithumia? Most women don't find this visual epithumia an issue. But do
they still objectify for their own pleasure? Since they tend to be driven emotionally instead of
physically, this is also where epithumia comes into play. Think romance novels. Think knight in shining
armor. When the fantasy is cultivated "for the feeling itself" they find themselves in a very similar place.
8. What do you think might be at the root viewing people as objects?
* Often this is a quest for belonging, or power--both of these ways we look for significance.
9. Where can we find our true significance? How?
READ:
SOUL TRAINING:
Set aside one whole day to take a time out from media this week. No internet, TV, radio, video
games, music, magazines or newspapers. You can survive one day--I promise. Media
intentionally attempts to shape our thoughts according to what they think is important or what
they want us to buy. Take a day to think for yourself. You may have to find some more
creative ways to spend your time. Try a board game, getting outdoors, or meeting a friend for
coffee.
As you practice this fast, remember that you are not making yourself holy; you are place
yourself at God's feet so you can do a work in you.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 16
PRAY
SOUL TRAINING:
1. Were you able to practice the discipline of solitude this week? How did it go?
2. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Lesson 7: Reconciliation
WATCH: Walking Touchdown So Funny!!! Quarterback Trick Play
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln3RWKyUouQ
1. How would you feel to have been on the defensive team? What would have been your
response?
2. As you think of forgiveness, does it mean that we letting people walk over us? How should we
respond?
3. Why do people hurt others? (What kind of people often have a pattern of hurting others?)
* People who hurt, hurt others.
4. In the Lord's prayer we pray “forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.” Which of
the following translations do you think is accurate? Why?
•
•
•
forgive us our debts like we have forgiven our debtors.
forgive us our debts when we have forgiven our debtors.
forgive us our debts while we have forgiven our debtors.
* Often we think it forgiveness is merited by how we forgive, but that invalidates the grace. In fact,
Ephesians 4:32 tells us to forgive as we have been forgiven.
READ: Matthew 18:21-34
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who
sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven
times. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since
he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be
sold to repay the debt.
"At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back
everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver
coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.' "But he
refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the
other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything
that had happened.
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 17
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours
because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'
In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
5. Who offered forgiveness first? Why did the master expect the servant to be gracious?
* In the following verse (v.35) Jesus goes on to say that God will respond the same with those that do
not forgive, but it is He that forgives first.
6. Where do we find the ability to forgive?
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this
is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has
committed to us the message of reconciliation.
7. How has understanding God's forgiveness helped you to forgive others?
8. What is the point of forgiveness? Is it about the person who did the hurting? Is it about the
person that was hurt? Could it be about something more?
THE KICKER:
God desires reconciliation. Forgiveness is a major milestone on the way to reconciliation.
Framing forgiveness within reconciliation gives us better perspective for the process.
Forgiveness offers a way out for those who have hurt others (from their guilt) and for those
who have been hurt (from their bitterness). It is not just a process we go through to get
something off our chest, but is on opportunity for both parties to find reconciliation in God's
Kingdom. Furthermore, subjecting yourself to continuous abuse is not reconciliation for either
party.
Forgiveness happens as we understand the forgiveness we have been given. As we grow in
this understanding and take in the reality of God's Kingdom, we become transformed. True
ability and strength to forgive comes from this transformation. It is this kind of forgiveness that
allows the forgiven to experience a taste of God's forgiveness and His Kingdom.
PRAY
Pure Rebellion Follow-Up - 18
SOUL TRAINING:
Connecting our own forgiveness with how we forgive others there are a couple options this
week:
1. Confess with a mentor or peer an area that you have a difficult time receiving God's
forgiveness. Have them pray with you and pray for you throughout the week. You
might also take time to reflect on Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32, 2 Corinthians
5:17-19.
2. Identify someone you need to forgive. Have someone spend the week praying for you
and the person who has hurt you.
SOULTRAINING:
1. Were you able to practice forgiveness this week? How did it go?
2. What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Week 8: Follow-up
Spend some time this week talking about what comes next. Perhaps you simply keep checking in
with each other to see how things are going. Maybe you decide to go through another study. The
options are endless, but I would encourage you to make sure everyone remains connected in a group
that will challenge and encourage them as they move forward in their adventure with Christ.
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References
These lessons are based on chapters from the following books:
Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful God. Downer's Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2009.
Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful Community. Downer's Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2009.
Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful Life. Downer's Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2009.
All scripture is taken from:
New International Version © 2011 Biblica, Inc.®
Quotes:
1
Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful Life. Downer's Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2009. p. 31.
2
Manning, Brennan. The Ragamuffin Gospel. Colorado Springs: Multmonah Books, 2005. p. 13-14.
3
Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful Life. Downer's Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2009. p. 90.