Introduction
In this fallen world, we all get hurt and hurt others. We make mistakes—that is part of the fall. After someone hurts us or we hurt someone, we can forgive and ask for forgiveness. It’s easier said than done—we can experience deep pain. We need help to forgive. In this Bible study for forgiveness, we’ll look at how to forgive and forget when someone hurts you.
God expects us to forgive when our spouses or people around us hurt us. No matter the offense, He wants us to put our pride (and our hurt) aside, humble ourselves, and forgive that person. But how do you truly forgive?
In this Bible study for forgiveness, we’ll look at Bible quotes about forgiveness of sins, what part of the Bible talks about forgiveness, what is true forgiveness according to the Bible, and the 7 steps to forgiveness biblical.
No matter how upset we are and no matter who hurts us, we can choose to forgive. Jesus Christ forgave anyone who harmed Him. We can do the same. Let’s see what the Bible says to let go of painful feelings and truly forgive someone.
PS You’ll also find free printable Bible study on forgiveness downloads in this blog! (With forgiveness bible study questions).
What God says about forgiveness?
God’s whole rescue plan is a deed of forgiveness. God’s full Word speaks about forgiveness, it’s the basis of redemption. Before we look further into what God says about forgiveness, let’s look at what the definition of forgiveness is.
Forgiveness is letting go of anger and resentment towards someone who hurt you. It’s about deciding to move on and not hold a grudge, even if you don’t forget what happened. It helps you find real peace and heal emotionally.
Christian forgiveness is about letting go of anger and resentment because Jesus teaches us to forgive others, just as God forgives our sins. It’s about showing mercy, grace, and love, following Jesus’ example, and trusting that forgiveness brings healing and peace.
Forgiveness is a core principle in the Christian community, deeply rooted in the teaching of Jesus in the Bible and shown through the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God wants us to forgive others as He forgave us. God’s willingness to forgive our sins, despite our flaws and failures, sets a powerful example of how we should treat others.
When you do a Bible study for forgiveness, you’ll find many readings about forgiveness, both in our relationship with God and with one another. Through these scriptures, God encourages us to adopt an attitude of forgiveness, recognizing that it brings healing, peace, and spiritual growth.
Forgiving others is not always easy, but it is a vital practice when we seek to live a Christ-like life.
Key biblical insights into what God says about forgiveness
- God Forgives Our Sins: God is always ready to forgive us if we admit we’ve done wrong. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
- Forgive Others: We should forgive others just like God forgives us. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
- Unlimited Forgiveness Toward others: Jesus says we should keep forgiving others, no matter how many times they mess up. “Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)
- Forgiveness Brings Healing: Letting go of grudges helps us heal and grow. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
- God’s Mercy and Compassion: God’s forgiveness shows His love and mercy. “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:5 (NIV)
- Essential for Prayer: Forgiveness is key to having our prayers heard. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (NIV)
- Forgiveness through Jesus: We are forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
These verses remind us that forgiveness is a powerful and necessary part of living a Christian life.
Download here your FREE forgiveness Bible study Pdf.
Includes key insights and Bible verses on forgiveness, as well as forgiveness Bible study questions!
The Lord’s prayer
Our Bible study for forgiveness needs not only to include separate verses about forgiveness, but also the full Lord’s prayer. Why? Because it includes the teaching of Jesus about forgiveness.
In Matthew 6 verses 9 to 13, Lord Jesus says,
“Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
This gospel reading about forgiveness shows us the two sides of forgiveness: God’s forgiveness for us and our forgiveness toward others. Praying the Lord’s prayer is a powerful part of knowing how to forgive.
Lord Jesus also used parables to teach about forgiveness.
Parables about forgiveness
Lord Jesus often used parables to teach biblical truth. Let’s have a look at two powerful parables about forgiveness. They are two of the inspirational Bible stories about forgiveness.
The parable of the unmerciful servant
The passage in Matthew 18:21-35 in the Bible talks about forgiveness. We read about a servant who owes a king a huge amount of money. When it was time to repay, he begged for more time. The good king had compassion and forgave him all his debts. But when the forgiven servant met his fellow servant, who owed him just a small amount of money, he demanded repayment in full and threatened to put him in jail until he would pay off his debt.
The other servants heard this and sent word to the king, as they were very upset. Then the king went to the wicked servant and said, “‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’” Matthew 18:32-33 (NKJV). The king grabbed him and delivered him to the torturers (!) until he should pay all that was due to him.
The parable ends with the core message: “’That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.’” Matthew 18:35 (NLT) This parable stresses how important it is to God that we forgive others as He forgave us.
The parable of the prodigal son
The gospel of Luke is the only place where we’ll find the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). It shows a powerful picture of the youngest son who demands and squanders his inheritance in another country while his father is still alive. Eventually, all his friends left him, and the only job he could get was feeding pigs. He was so hungry he wanted to eat the piggy food.
That is when he came to his senses and returned to his father’s house to ask to be a servant. He rehearsed his “I am sorry story” as he expected his father to be in a rage. However, the father of the prodigal son had been waiting for him since he left home. And ran to him with open arms.
This parable is about God’s love and forgiveness. As our Father, He forgives us everything! When we go astray and return with heads down, He doesn’t rebuke us but takes the first step and embraces us. All He wants is to be reconciled with His children.
What is a good Bible verse for forgiveness?
When you do a Bible study for forgiveness, because you want to know more about God’s forgiveness or need some help in forgiving others, you’ll find plenty scripture quotations about forgiveness of sin and forgiving others.
In the previous part, we already saw several of them. Here, we’ll discuss a few key Bible verses for forgiveness.
What does Matthew 6:14 say about forgiveness?
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”
Matthew 6:14 (NLT)
Matthew chapter 6 verse 14 shows an important insight into biblical forgiveness. When we forgive others, God will also forgive us. It shows how much God desires we are forgiving towards others. Forgiving others is God’s standard for children of God.
For me, the scary implication is that when we do not forgive others (lack forgiveness), God will also not forgive us. Wow! It’s an important point.
What does Ephesians 4:31 say?
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”
Ephesians 4:31 (NLT)
Ephesians 4 verse 31 tells us what not to do as children of God. If we don’t forgive people, we will easily be ensnared in the type of behavior this verse in Ephesians tells us not to do. Ephesians chapter 4 verse 31 shows the opposite of being a forgiving person.
This verse is in line with the verse in Hebrews:
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”
Hebrews 12:14-15 (ESV)
The truth of Ephesians 4:31 is also the prelude to the next verse, in which the Bible shows how we are to behave.
What is Ephesians 4/32?
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
In this verse of Ephesians, we can see that God wants us to forgive each other. And not just that, He also wants us to be kind and tenderhearted. You know, sometimes if we say we have forgiven someone, we can still behave unkindly or use harsh words. True forgiveness, however, would show mercy and kindness.
These Bible scriptures show forgiveness isn’t just an act, but a way of living in alignment with God’s love and mercy. By studying these verses and incorporating the Lord’s prayer into our understanding of forgiveness, we can grow in our ability to forgive others and experience healing in our own lives.
God’s Word is full of scriptures and passages about forgiveness. First, God’s forgiveness for our sins. Second, the forgiveness we need to apply to our fellow human beings. Let’s look at the most important part: Bible quotes about forgiveness of sins (God’s forgiveness toward us).
Grab here your free printable Bible study on forgiveness worksheets.
Bible quotes about forgiveness of sins
Forgiveness of sin is God’s greatest gift to us.
As part of this Bible study for forgiveness, let’s look at God’s forgiveness towards us. Out of His great love, our Heavenly Father forgives our sins! Christ’s death bought the forgiveness of our sin. It is the greatest example of forgiveness—and we can follow this example. As Lord Jesus said, “Follow me.”
Studying the Bible around forgiveness of sins helps us understand God’s forgiveness and the depth of God’s grace. God does not keep a record of wrongs and when we ask for forgiveness, God will forgive us.
If you are looking for a Bible quotation about forgiveness of sin, here are several Bible readings about forgiveness. The following verses help us understand God’s forgiveness of sins. You can use these Bible verses to pray for forgiveness of sins.
Old Testament Bible quotes about forgiveness of sins:
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” Psalm 32:1 (NIV)
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:5 (NIV)
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12 (NLT)
“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Psalm 130:3-4 (NIV)
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 (NIV)
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)
“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” Isaiah 43:25 (NLT)
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:18 (NIV)
New Testament Bible quotes about forgiveness of sins:
“And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” Matthew 26:27-28 (ESV)
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” Acts 13:38 (NIV)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 (NIV) & Hebrews 8:12 (NIV)
“Then he adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’” Hebrews 10:17 (NIV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Download here your free printable forgiveness Bible study Pdf.
Has key insights, Bible verses, steps to forgiveness, and forgiveness Bible study questions.
Now, let’s look at what is true forgiveness.
What is true forgiveness according to the Bible?
What is true forgiveness in the Bible? True forgiveness according to the Bible involves letting go of resentment, anger, and the desire for revenge. It is a let go of negative feelings towards someone who wronged you, just like God forgives us. Biblical forgiveness is about being compassionate and merciful, just like how God is with us.
True biblical forgiveness is not limited by the number of times someone has wronged you. Jesus teaches that forgiveness should have no bounds, reminding us to always give grace, just like God does for us.
Forgiving others all the time helps us grow spiritually and get closer to God. It’s crucial to maintain a healthy prayer life and spiritual well-being, as holding grudges can mess up our prayers and overall spiritual health.
True forgiveness is like Christ’s forgiveness – full of love and mercy.
When you truly forgive others, it sets you free (as well as the other person). It is like a new beginning from God.
What are the 7 steps of forgiveness?
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To forgive someone, a best friend, colleague, or family members, is an act of obedience. We need to make the right choice to let go of the hurt, not take justice into our own hands, and freely forgive whoever has hurt us.
We should let go of our anger and not let it affect our relationships. No one wants to be around an unforgiving person. Not easy. But not impossible. By following the 7 steps to forgiveness, we surrender to God and cultivate forgiveness in our hearts.
Through Christ Jesus, God has forgiven the sins of the whole world! Can’t we forgive just one person? We can—but we need God’s help. We can’t forgive others in our own strength—we need the power of the Holy Spirit.
Being hurt and angry is a natural response. The good news is God knows we are imperfect people and will not judge us for that. At the same time, He asks us not to keep our grudges (Ephesians 4:26-27) but to forgive.
We can have a hard time forgiving, especially if a close relationship hurts or offends us. It can be helpful to follow the steps to forgiveness biblical. It is possible to biblically forgive and forget (as God also forgives and forgets our sins).
Here are seven steps to biblical forgiveness:
Step 1: Humble yourself and confess your own sin to God. Ask Him for forgiveness for anything you did.
Step 2: Tell God what happened and how painful it is. It is important to tell Him exactly how you feel. Admit that the pain is holding you back from thinking about anything else and that you want to be free.
Step 3: Tell God you release that person from your feelings of hurt, pain, anger, and desire to get even. Say aloud you forgive XXX (mention the name).
Step 4: Ask God to forgive the one who hurt you. It is important you don’t skip this step.
Step 5: Submit your heart and mind to God and ask Him to help you forget the incident and everything around it. Ask the Holy Spirit to be a guard around your thoughts.
Step 6: Pray for your offender. The Bible says we should pray for our enemies. When someone we love hurts us, they often turn into our enemies.
Step 7: Whenever your mind travels toward the past offense, call it back and focus on God. Remember the forgiveness you gave that person.
Understanding the gift of God’s forgiveness will help us follow through with these 7 steps to forgiveness. You’ll also need to learn to forgive yourself for things you did wrong, as part of your complete healing process.
I pray this how to forgive Bible study has helped you, and that the holy Spirit will guide you. Just start using these steps of forgiveness Christianity and you’ll see it will become easier and easier to forgive. All you need is a start. God will help you, you can trust Him.
Download here your free printable 7 steps to forgiveness Pdf.
Take-away Bible study for forgiveness
Through this Bible study for forgiveness, we’ve learned that forgiveness is a fundamental aspect of Christian living, deeply rooted in God’s love and grace. We’ve discovered that true forgiveness involves letting go of resentment and anger, mirroring Christ’s forgiveness towards us.
We’ve come to understand that forgiveness is not limited by the number of times someone has wronged us but is a continuous act of extending grace and mercy, just as God does for us.
We’ve also gained practical insights into the steps towards forgiveness, including humbling ourselves, releasing our pain, and seeking God’s help in the process. By following these steps, we’ve embraced a life of compassion, mercy, and love, embodying the essence of Christian forgiveness as taught by Jesus Himself.
All in all, this study has helped us understand how to forgive and grow spiritually, leading to healing, peace, and spiritual growth.
If you haven’t done so yet, download here your free printable forgiveness Bible study Pdf with forgiveness bible study questions and much more!
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