Free printable bible study about forgiveness. Suitable for use in individual, group, church bible studies, or as a sermon helper.

Forgiveness Bible Study Series Part 1

Forgiveness comes in many forms:
Asking the Lord for forgiveness is the first step to forgiveness.
Forgiving others for what wrongs we feel they may have done to us.
​We must forgive others who have wronged us in order to get forgiveness for our wrongs.
Forgive ourselves for wrongs we have done to God, others and ourselves.
People ask for forgiveness for different reasons:

• Fear
• Guilt

• Want to make up for something they did
• Want to impress someone
• People often do not forgive others because they are upset or angry.
• Many People ask for forgiveness only when they are scared or afraid

Interestingly enough, the first time forgiveness is mentioned in the Bible was when someone was scared or afraid.
When Joseph (who had been sold into slavery by his own brothers and had been estranged from his family) was approached by his estranged brother's asking for forgiveness because they thought Benjamin had stolen from Joseph. This is also the first time forgiveness is asked for on behalf of someone else.

• So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive I pray thee now, the trespass of the brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.Genesis 50:17

The Pharaoh of Egypt asked forgiveness because he was scared
Shortly after the plague of locusts, the Pharaoh in Egypt had fear in his heart so he called Moses and Aaron telling them that he had sinned against their God and was in need of forgiveness because he, The Pharaoh of Egypt, was afraid of God.

• Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that he may take away from me this death only. Exodus 10:17

Moses begged God to forgive his people because he was scared,Moses was afraid of what the Lord would do to the people, because they had made false gods out of gold, while he was away, getting the Ten Commandments from God. He asks the Lord to forgive the people or else take his name out of the book of life. Of course, the Lord refused to take Moses name from the book but made it clear that the people who had made and worshiped the false gods' name, would, in fact, be removed from the book. The Lord held them accountable for their own sins against Him not Moses.

• Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--;and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.Exodus 32:32

 

• And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Exodus 32:33

King David prayed for forgiveness because of his sin and he was afraid
King David was afraid the Lord had turned His back on him because of his great sin when he sent Bathsheba's husband to die in battle on the front line. He wanted to marry her because King David loved her and wanted her for himself. Many of the Psalms were written for this very reason.

• Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Psalms 25:18

The Lord mercifully forgives everyone that asks Him for forgiveness

• For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Psalms 86:5

God can forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases

• Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Psalms 103:3

People often do not forgive other's because they are upset or angry
The Lord was angry with the people of Judah but He decided to give them a chance to redeem themselves. Jeremiah tried to help the people and he spoke to the people of Judah, telling them what the Lord told him to say. He tried to turn God's wrath away from them, hoping that they would turn away from their false God's.Judah was supposed to be God's people, yet they turned their backs on Him by worshiping other gods. The people of Judah did not listen to Jeremiah. They decided to devise devices against him by talking bad about him, not listening to what Jeremiah had to say and, even plotted to kill him. Jeremiah found this out and talked to the Lord about it. He was very upset that the people had turned on him. While he was speaking to the Lord he asked Him not to forgive the people of their sins because he was angry to.

• Yet, Lord, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slayme: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger. Jeremiah 18:23

King Solomon prayed for forgiveness for everyone who came to pray and ask forgiveness in the temple
King Solomon was considered one of the wisest King's in the world. He loved the Lord so much he made a very expensive temple to worship the Lord, in a great dramatic effort to honor Him. After, building it and dedicating a place for ark of the Lord's covenant, King Solomon prayed to the Lord, in front of the congregation of people asking the Lord to forgive people who come praying and asking for forgiveness.

• And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. I Kings 8:30

The Lord clearly states He will forgive iniquity and remember it no more
The Lord is our example to follow. When the Lord forgives someone the issue is resolved and he will not remember the sin anymore. In the end of the world, everyone will know the Lord so there won't be any need for teachers.

• And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor. and every man his brother. saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34

How many times should you forgive someone?
Jesus set an example for us to follow! Jesus bought our forgiveness from God with his blood. When asked by Peter, how many times we are to forgive? He said, we are to forgive others at least seven times seventy times.

• Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Matthew 18:21

• Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22

Jesus tells us if we do not forgive others that the Father will not forgive us

• And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12

• For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you Matt. 6:14

​What happens if we will not or feel that we cannot forgive someone?

• But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15

Jesus has the power to forgive you of sin and to heal you

• But that  ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thine house. Matthew 9:6

How often should you forgive those who sin against you?
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Matthew 18:21
If we are unforgiving of others our Father in Heaven will be unforgiving of us

• So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:35

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Forgiveness Study Part 2

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Memory Verse: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you Matt. 6:14

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