Next Steps--Lesson 15--Who's to Blame?--John 5 & 9

Discussion Questions:

1.     Have you experienced times when you felt crippled or blinded by the pain you felt because someone hurt you or someone close to you?  What helped you see beyond your pain and feel healed from what felt crippling?

2.     What role does legalism play in having an unforgiving spirit?  How did the Pharisees display an unforgiving spirit towards each of the people healed in John 5 & 9?

3.     Why did Jesus have to reclaim the Temple and the Sabbath?  What danger do we fall into of Him needing to reclaim us?  How does unforgiveness go against His Kingdom?

4.     Why is remembering we are being transformed an important part of being able to forgive?

5.     How might the hardships in my life be opportunities for God to do His good works?  What can help one remember this when they are debilitated by pain or betrayal or other hard things to forgive?

6.     How does seeking someone else to blame hinder forgiveness?  What methods have you found helpful to offer grace to people instead of judgment?

7.     Is it possible that when we feel bitterness or unforgiveness that we don’t really want to get well?  Explain your answer.