In Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds, Chris Brauns helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships. Join us as Chris talks about the discussion questions at the end of each chapter and further equips us to put these truths into action.
Do you think Unpacking Forgiveness would work well for a small group?
I really do. I know that I am more than a little biased, but a good small group discussion begins with the Word of God and then considers how truth intersects with life. The Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness, and in a fallen world, all of us work through broken relationships. More importantly, Unpacking Forgiveness is a very Gospel-centered book. The only way we can unpack forgiveness is to intently fix our eyes on the Christ and the Cross.
What was your goal in writing the discussion questions at the end of each chapter? My goal was for people to see how the Word of God intersects with life where forgiveness is concerned. That meant writing questions that would encourage people to reflect on the situations they face. But, more important, I wanted to encourage them to be in the Word of God.
Getting people into the Bible is what really gets me fired up. In one set of discussion questions, I encourage people to read Philemon. Philemon is only 25 verses long. It is a case study in how Paul led people through a relational conflict. But, relatively few people study it. In fact, a great thing to do in 2009 would be to read Philemon 30 or 40 times. Ask, “How is Paul helping Philemon and Onesimus work through their conflict?” “How does Paul motivate Philemon?”
Give us an example of how you would see one chapter’s discussion questions being used. One of the chapters in Unpacking Forgiveness is, “Should I Just Get Over It?” The central thought of the chapter is that not every offense should be confronted. There are times when something should be overlooked (Proverbs 17:14, 19:11). Reading through these questions will give a good feel for how they would work in a small group setting.
What advice would you give to small group leaders? Going into the evening, know what one biblical concept or principle you really want to drive home. Part of your job as a leader is to make sure that the discussion doesn’t wander from one end of Christendom to the other. If the point of the evening is, “We must forgive as Jesus forgave,” then keep bringing people back to that core.
Unpacking Forgiveness is not only a beneficial resource for small group Bible Studies, but it has also been life changing for many. Brauns’ book has been recognized on several blogs including Challies.com as a top book in 2008. See what Tim Challies and Pyromaniacs are saying about Unpacking Forgiveness.
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