These questions are written to facilitate discussion rather than to make the group arrive at a particular place or a “right” answer. Allow the conversation to flow naturally, but don’t let it go away from the gospel and the passage at hand. Help one another apply the gospel message to your lives by asking how we should respond to what Paul says and what the sermon presented.
“For our sake, he made him who knew no sin to be sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
On the cross, Jesus took our sin and we get his righteousness. What does that mean?
Paul says that we are reconciled to God in Jesus Christ. How does that change the way we live our lives? As individuals? In community?
Paul says that we become the righteousness of God in two ways: we are made righteous in his sight, and we become agents of his saving righteousness. How does the first one change you? How can the second change the world?
What did you think of Himm’s story? Can you imagine yourself forgiving someone who did something like that to you? Why is forgiveness so hard for us?
Himm said that he met a Buddhist monk who told him, “The way you speak about forgiveness is not good for you. I can see that you endured torture twice—once the Khmer Rouge soldiers hurt you and now you hurt yourself again. You need to bury your past in the grave, and don’t resurrect it or your will continue to suffer.” Do you see your own strategies for dealing with pain in the monk’s advice? What were the results?
How can hatred and vengeance become a prison for you? How does Jesus free you from carrying that burden?