God, as a forgiving Father, exemplifies boundless compassion and unconditional love, offering forgiveness regardless of our transgressions. His divine mercy assures us that redemption is always possible, instilling hope and guiding us toward spiritual renewal. As fathers and mothers, we should emulate this divine example by embracing forgiveness in our lives.

By forgiving our children and others, we create a nurturing environment that fosters growth, trust, and open communication. Practicing forgiveness teaches humility and empathy, strengthening familial bonds and guiding our children in developing these crucial virtues. Living with forgiveness reflects God's love and grace, enriching our families and communities

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 (NIV)

7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses,and so is God,of how holy,righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

1. The role of forgiveness in our lives as fathers, parents and people
2. God as our forgiving Father

Forgiving Father:

1. Forgiving your Father
2. Father who is Forgiving

Reasons to Forgive

1. He’s human
2. You are too
3. Your father is the product of a fallen world and flawed parents
4. You will eventually want mercy too
5. Forgiveness opens the grace channel

Forgiveness starts with a mental decision

Forgiveness is not based on others' actions but on our attitude

Forgiveness is a process, not an event

We have to forgive every time

Forgiveness is not letting the offence recur again and again

Forgiveness is returning to God the right to take care of justice

Forgiveness is not letting the offender off the hook

Forgiveness is not the same as reconciling

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting

Deuteronomy 1:29-31

29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”