Lessons on Forgiveness: Youth Search the Scriptures - Christ's Teachings

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MEMORY VERSE

Text: Matthew

18:1-35

INTRODUCTION

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In the previous chapter, Jesus and apostle Paul paid tribute

to those in authority.

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The disciples must have thought Christ would establish His

reign here on earth and were thinking of what political

authority they would occupy.

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They wanted to know what it would take to be the greatest

in the coming Kingdom.

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Jesus used this occasion to teach them the paradox of

greatness in His kingdom.

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Greatness in the world is characterized by struggling, fighting, pulling others down, and

self-centredness

, but greatness in the kingdom of God is characterized by repentance,

humility,

 and obedience to God’s word.

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 In this chapter, Christ also taught about the possibility and resolution of offences in the

Kingdom and the danger of an unforgiving spirit.

How the world demonstrates greatness

Greatness in the kingdom way

PRECONDITION OF CONVERSION BEFORE ENTERING

THE KINGDOM

Matt 18:1-14; Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50; James 5:19

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It takes humility to be converted. Proud youths cannot be converted unless they humble themselves

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It is pride to think that good works could merit salvation

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Sinners are helpless without Christ, and they must realize that there is nothing they can do to merit salvation

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Humility and childlike obedience are essential in the kingdom of God, unlike the worldly kingdom where

those in authority oppress the less privileged

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Every youth must live to edify others rather than lead them to sin or place stumbling blocks on their way. You

must not seduce others by:

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Posting naked pictures on social media

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Sitting carelessly in the church

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Wearing transparent dresses

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Writing love letters to the opposite gender

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Hindering others from hearing God’s word

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Carrying false rumours against believers

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Deliberately provoking Christian youths without cause

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God does not take it lightly with anyone who makes a believer backslides. There are terrible

consequences attached to it

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It is better not to be born into this world than to make a child of God backslide

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God specifically assigns angels in heaven to take care of believers

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Rather than making anyone to fall, Christian youths must separate themselves from anything and

anyone luring them into sin

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Making heaven at last should be the most important thing for believing youths

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Christian youths should not mock but pray and search for those who are lost because it is not the will of

God that anyone should perish

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Christ commands that the offended Christian should:

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Go directly to the perceived offender to explain and discuss with him in humility

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Not go about spreading and slandering the offender behind his back

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Not approach the offender in arrogance and holier than thou attitude

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Prayerfully approach the offender and have the right attitude when presenting the matter

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Not manifest anger and  but speak gently to the offender

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must not conclude in his mind that the offended is wrong before hearing from him

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should have faith in the offender that he is still a believer

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Wrong attitudes during offences is not biblical and should be avoided by all Christian youths. Christians

must not settle misunderstandings like unbelievers

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The offender may not understand why a believer should be offended by his/her actions and may be looking

at issues from a different perspective. The offender may not see anything wrong with his/her actions

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When that happens, a Christian youth must prayerfully again take  one or two matured and impartial

believers to help them settle their misunderstanding

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The offended youth must not go to the offender to fight neither must they go with unbelievers or immature

Christians

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If the offender still refuses to apologise to the offended, then the matter should be reported to the leaders

in the church

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If the offender still will not listen to the leaders in the church, then the offender should be regarded as a

sinner or backslider

PUNISHMENT AND CONDEMNATION OF

UNFORGIVENESS IN THE KINGDOM

Matt 18:21-35; Luke 17:4; Mark 11:25,26

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Forgiveness is divine. when the nature of Christ is in us, we can easily forgive and forget

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Inability to forgive is an evidence of lack of grace and backsliding

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The quicker you are ready and willing to forgive, the more of God’s grace

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When you forgive, you will forget offences and not remember it.

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Those who always refer to past offences have not really forgiven. The evidence of true forgiveness is to forget

the offence.

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You cannot enjoy your Christian life if you can’t forgive

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If you don’t want the devil to hinder your prayers, you must forgive and forget all offences

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When you remember past offences, rebuke the devil and tell him you have forgiven the offender

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You hurt yourself and hinder your spiritual progress when you don’t forgive

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Do not allow the devil imprison you with malice

QUESTIONS

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Distinguish between the methods of attaining greatness in the world for sinners and in God’s

kingdom for believers.

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What is the only way for youths to have genuine fellowship with God?

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What does it mean to offend “these little ones”?  How do sinning youths seduce believers today?

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What do you understand by “cutting off and plucking out your hands and eyes” as used by Christ?

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What are the causes of offences among believers? And how should conflicts be resolved in the

church?

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Why should believers forgive and what is the consequence of unforgiveness?

REFERENCES

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https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/forgiveness-in-the-

family/

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https://www.nspt4kids.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/fighting-

boys.jpg

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https://assets.entrepreneur.com/content/3x2/2000/2016081300012

0-GettyImages-486493061.jpeg