No. 4 Forgiveness

Facilitator______________
Date___________________

Group Session Plan from TOCWSGM** - Rev. Glenn H. Turner

Chalice/Candle Lighting

Opening Words:

"If you knew how I felt inside, you would not act that way outside.

But most likely,
If I knew how you felt inside
I would not mind so much the way you act outside.

Why don’t we try turning ourselves inside out?"
Edward T. Atkinson

Check-in/Sharing

Discussion:
"We cannot let the world’s wounds destroy our spirits. We cannot let our hurts and betrayals destroy our capacity for growth and caring. That there will be judgments and, perhaps, justice, is necessary. That the violence be confronted and, if possible, contained, is essential. But, most important, is our capacity to nurture a loving heart, to affirm and not to curse, to forgive even when we cannot completely forget."
Glenn H. Turner

Some questions to ask:

How do you respond when you are wounded?
How do you feel toward the person who has hurt you?
How long do you carry your anger and how does that re-sentment (feeling it again and again) continue to hurt you?
Can you forgive and break the cycle? Can you understand the other?
What does forgiveness mean to you?

Select the topic and location for the next meeting

Check-out / Likes and Wishes

Closing Words:

"May the love which overcomes all differences
which heals all wounds,
which puts to flight all fears,
which reconciles all who are separated,
be in us and among us
now and always."
Frederick F. Gillis

** Transforming Our Churches With Small Group Ministry, Revised - February 2000