3-22-2026: Teach Me

Sermon Title: Teach Me 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-35 

Sermon Focus: As Peter learns how to be a student of Jesus he asks his master a question about forgiveness. Jesus’ response seems impossible, but invites his followers to live into the reality of God’s grace. In the fifth message of our Lenten series, Pastor Melissa shares about the transforming power of forgiveness and invites us to consider how we will respond to the mercy of Christ. 

Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group. Use the following questions to help guide your small group discussion:  

1. How have you seen forgiveness lived out in our culture? What are common understandings (or misunderstandings) about forgiveness? 

2. Read Matthew 18:21-35. What is interesting, compelling, confusing, etc. about the story? Do you relate with any of the characters in the parable? 

3. Jesus’ story outlines for us a pattern of forgiveness (suggested by Tim Keller in his book Forgive), which includes 1) exposing the debt/sin (“brought to him”), 2) compassion and desiring the good of the other (“took pity”), 3) forgiveness and choosing to absorb the debt (“canceled the debt”), and 4) opening the door for full restoration (“let him go”). Do you find these steps helpful? How do these steps move us toward deeper reliance on God? 

4. God’s desire is for shalom (peace, wholeness) to be restored. We see in verses 15-20 that restoration begins within the body of Christ. Read those verses. Have you ever had a confrontation with a brother or sister in Christ regarding sin – whether yours or theirs? How did it go? Did it follow this pattern? Is there a fellow believer in your life right now that you are sensing you may need to humbly, lovingly confront about sin? Ask the group to pray with you about that. 

5. Our ability to forgive and pursue restoration comes through the cross. How do we see forgiveness and justice coming together on the cross? Why is this so empowering? 

6. Think about the response question for the week: “How is Jesus inviting me to respond to his mercy?” Are there areas where you are noticing sin festering? How is God speaking to you? 

7. LIFE ON MISSION QUESTION: Pastor Melissa suggested that the church is to be a microcosm of God’s shalom. How might God be inviting you or your group to participate in God’s work of restoration where he has you (in your home, workplace, neighborhood, etc.)? 

8. The Scripture promises that “where two or three gather in my [Jesus’] name, there am I with them.” As you pray for one another today, remember that Christ is with you in your longings for shalom to be restored.