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Three Essential Questions

After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.  

• What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
• What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
• What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?

"So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one
another."Romans 14:19 (NASB)
 
Not taking offense:

Doesn't mean you swallow the truth.
 
Doesn't mean you minimize the offense.
 
Doesn't mean you let someone keep hurting you.
 
Doesn't mean a disagreement or misunderstanding.

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil
behavior."Ephesians 4:31 (NLT)
 
How do you not take an offense?

• Ask God to reveal the hurts in your heart.
  
  "O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me."   Psalm 139:1 (NLT)

• Ask God to forgive you for the ways you have offended others.
  
  "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See ifthere is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) 
  
  "Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."  Matthew 6:12 (NLT) 
  

• Forgive the one who offended you.
  
  "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Action Plan: Make a list of the offenses (size doesn't matter) done to you, asking God to help reveal them to you.  Make another list of your offenses towards others that God shows you.  Keep this writing private between you and God.  If other items are revealed throughout this week, add them to the list.

Forgiveness of an offense:
 
You ALWAYS release it to God.
 
You SOMETIMES overlook the offense.

"A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook anoffense."  Proverbs 19:11(NIV) 
 
You SOMETIMES point out the offense.

"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back."  Matthew 18:15 (NLT)
 
You ALWAYS refuse to take revenge.

"Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of  God. For the Scriptures say, 'I will take revenge; I will pay them back,' says the LORD."  Romans 12:19 (NLT) 

"Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive." Luke 17:4 (NLT) 

Action Plan: With those 2 lists created above, go through each one and without minimizing the hurt, write out your prayer to God being sure to express your hurt.  Also, take a few minutes to write out a prayer asking for forgiveness for the ways you have offended others. If applicable, consider reaching out to the offended party and asking for their forgiveness.

• Pray for the one who offended you.
  
  "But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!"  Matthew 5:44 (NLT) 
• Remember that God's plan for you is greater than their offense. 
  
  "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."  Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

The Power of the Cross
"Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start
living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds."    1 Peter 2:24 (NCV)

"Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross."  Ephesians 2:16a (MSG)

Action Plan: At the end of this week spend 5 minutes being quiet and think about
Jesus' ultimate expression of love and forgiveness on the cross. Read aloud to God your writing of hurts and requests. Tell your small group what God reveals to you through this process. 

Weekly Action Steps

We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 99000 or email newstart@saddleback.com 

We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him. Your generosity online is feeding tens of thousands of out-of-work families and serving many other needs. Give at Saddleback.com/give

We meet in small groups online to discuss what we've heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 99000 or email SMALLGROUP@saddleback.com.

Listen to our new Doable Discipleship podcast season, "Politics and the Church" at Saddleback.com/learn