Blasphemy + Forgiveness

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.

For those who grew up in the church, this passage might instill fear and bring confusion. If you aren't familiar with Church, you might ask, "What is blaspheming the Holy Spirit? Have I done it?" For those reading this passage of Scripture for the first time, it might bring past sins into question. You might ask, "Are there other sins that are unforgivable? Have I committed them?"

1. To believe that God can’t forgive your sin is to believe that your sin is greater than God’s ability to love you and save you. Are there any areas in your life where you have put the power of your sin above the power of what Jesus accomplished on and after the cross?

2.  Many times in the New Testament, we see Pharisees being frustrated with Jesus after he publicly forgives those whom the Pharisees deem unworthy of forgiveness. Has there ever been a time when you struggled to believe someone else could be forgiven by God? How did this change the way you interacted with them?

3. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit doesn't happen by accident. It is a calculated decision to demonize the works of God. Outside of Matthew 12:22-32, are there other possible places in the Bible you see this specific sin take place? Discuss.

Take time to pray with and for each other.

Enduring Word Commentary:  Matthew 12