Title: The Backwards Gospel

Key Scripture: Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)

Context: Peter’s question to Jesus about forgiveness and Jesus’ response emphasizing the need for abundant forgiveness (“up to seventy times seven”).

Additional Scriptures Referenced:

• Amos 1:3 – Used by the Rabbis to justify limited forgiveness.
• Daniel 9:24 – Prophetic significance of the number 490, linking forgiveness with prophetic fulfillment.
• Matthew 18:15-20 – Guidelines for resolving conflicts and maintaining unity within the community.

Main Themes:

• Forgiveness as a Core Christian Value (Matthew 18:21-22):
• Christians do not keep track when they forgive someone.
• Jesus exponentially increased the amount of tolerance each one of us need to have.
• Makes a clear point of how important patience is for God, and how much he cares we practice that.
• Community and Unity (Matthew 18:15-20):
• Using Matthew 18:15-20, the discussion focuses on how Christians should handle disputes, emphasizing direct communication and community involvement to resolve issues, ultimately maintaining unity.
• The Unity of the Church will bring Jesus’ presence
• The Role of Individual Attitudes in a Collective Faith:
• Reflections on humility and the need to avoid causing others to stumble as highlighted by Jesus’ teachings on how to treat the “little ones” (Matthew 18:6, 10-14).
• Jesus recommends we are converted in little children:
• They are dependent.
• They are impressible.‌
• They are not arrogant about their faith.
• Anyone who scatters the children of God. Commits sin. We scatter by criticizing, by judging, by wrong expectations.

Reflections and Deeper Understanding

• Our Message:
• How does the concept of forgiving “seventy times seven” challenge our everyday interactions? Are there limits to forgiveness in practical terms, or is it a heart posture we are called to maintain regardless of circumstances?
• Our Conduct:
• Reflect on a time when resolving a conflict according to Matthew 18:15-17 was challenging. What steps did you find difficult, and how did it affect your relationship with the community?
• Practical Application:
• In a society that values justice primarily as protection of individual rights, how can we practically apply Jesus’ radical teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation in our own communities?
• Personal Commitment:
• What are specific ways you can improve in being forgiving and promoting unity within your church or community groups? Consider personal barriers to these goals and how you might overcome them.

Prayer Points

• For Personal Growth in Forgiveness:
• Pray for an increase in the capacity to forgive as Jesus teaches, extending grace abundantly and repeatedly, even when it is most challenging.
• For Community Harmony and Unity:
• Seek God’s guidance in resolving conflicts within your community, that all members may handle disputes with wisdom and a spirit of reconciliation as outlined in Matthew 18.
• For Outreach and Inclusivity:
• Ask for opportunities and courage to reach out to those who feel like outsiders, including those who may have strayed from the faith, to bring them back into the fold with love and understanding.