SJSP’s Christian Values so far are:

Our Christian Values so far: justice koinonia trust hope friendship service creation wisdom endurance thankfulness compassion peace

For the last half term of the school year… and our 13th value (of 15)… we will be focussing on:

I forgive you… Please forgive me… You’re for given… Forgive and forget… Always forgive…

We do not forgive people because we are weak but because we know people make mistakes. Forgiveness cannot change the past, but it can change the future. Forgiveness is not something we do for other people. It is something we do for ourselves.

Who is forgiving whom?

Why do we forgive other people? How do I feel if someone doesn’t forgive me? What happens when we don’t forgive people?

Are there things that you wouldn’t forgive someone for?

What does the Bible say about forgiveness? Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Ephesians 4:32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another  Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. There are lots more…

What does the Koran say about forgiveness? Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant. (Qur'an, 7: 199) If you pardon and exonerate and forgive, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 64: 14)

What does the Torah say about forgiveness? Ideally a person who has caused harm, needs to sincerely apologize, then the wronged person is religiously bound to forgive. However, even without an apology, forgiveness is considered a pious act (Deot 6:9) When asked by an offender for forgiveness, one should forgive with a sincere mind and a willing spirit. Mishneh Torah, Teshuvah 2:10

I don’t know… but I do know how to find out. Do you? What do Buddhists say about forgiveness? What do Hindus say about forgiveness? I don’t know… but I do know how to find out. Do you? What do Zoroastrians say about forgiveness? What does Sikhism say about forgiveness? What does Baha'i say about forgiveness? What do Humanists say about forgiveness?

Let us pray… All that we should have thought and have not thought, All that we should have said and have not said, All that we should have done and have not done, All that we should not have spoken and yet have spoken, All that we should not have done and yet have done, For these words, and actions, pray we, O God, for forgiveness. Amen.