What do you do when you are hurt, disappointed, and angry about the injustice that you have experienced? When you feel betrayed, wronged, and want to inflict hurt on those who hurt you, there is a way out. It’s called Forgiveness. But what does forgiveness really mean? That question launches us into our new series, "Seventy Times Seven" focused on forgiveness. For a lot of us the topic of forgiveness is wrapped up in moral imperatives, trite sayings, and painful memories. But, unforgiveness can bore a pit deep within our souls that can cause regret, bitterness, and disillusionment. So, in this season of Lent we will learn about the kind of healing and freedom that comes with a life of forgiveness.

This week, we begin by exploring the powerful parable Jesus shares about the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Together we will learn the important difference between ignoring or excusing hurtful behaviors, and what it means to truly forgive. We will learn practically how to receive forgiveness from God and others, how to forgive ourselves for the hurts we have caused, as well as how to forgive those who have wronged us. We live in a hurting world, where being hurt, and hurting others is natural, forgiveness is supernatural.