Week 5 Study Guide

Small Group Study Guide: The Lord’s Prayer

This study will explore the meaning and significance of the Lord’s Prayer, guiding participants to deepen their understanding and practice of prayer. Each session includes video teaching from Dr. Timothy Smith, scripture readings, discussion questions, personal application prompts, and a guided prayer to conclude your time together.

Session 6: “Forgive Us Our Debts, as We Also Have Forgiven Our Debtors”

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Colossians 3:12-13

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do we need to ask for God’s forgiveness regularly?

2. How does receiving God’s forgiveness impact our ability to forgive others?

3. What are some challenges to forgiving those who have wronged us?

4. How does unforgiveness affect our relationship with God?

5. Is there anyone in your life you need to forgive? How can you take steps toward that?

Application:

As we pray this prayer, we fix our eyes on Jesus, who prayed forgiveness for His unrepentant tormentors. Just as Jesus let go, releasing them to the Father, so we forgive, releasing those who have sinned against us. In doing this we set ourselves free, praying, “And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”

What a wondrous promise God makes to us when He forgives us: “I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). “It is not psychologically possible for us to know God’s pity for us and at the same time be hardhearted towards others.” (Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy) We let go to the Friend and Savior of sinners, asking His help as we pray, “And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Practice:

• Take time this week to ask God for forgiveness and seek reconciliation where needed.

Guided Prayer:

Pray together the Lord’s Prayer and then pray the prayer below:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.

“Merciful Savior, we thank You for the forgiveness You offer us freely. Help us to receive your mercy with open hearts and to extend that same grace to others. Cleanse our hearts of bitterness and teach us to forgive as You have forgiven us. Amen.”

Sing It:

For added enrichment consider singing the Lord’s Prayer or Listening to some artist singing the Lord’s Prayer.

Here is the version we have used in worship by Babette Wood:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name 

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven 

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven 

Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors

As we also have forgiven our debtors

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one 

For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever

Amen, Amen