Becoming Unoffendable
Seems like there’s plenty to be upset about in our world. We can even get personally offended by the actions and comments of others around us. Here’s a radical, relational idea: What if you can become unoffendable? That’s right—unoffendable. It’s rare but possible. Through Jesus working in us, it’s possible to deflect hurt over offenses. It’s possible to find power over anger and bitterness. It’s possible to enjoy the freedom of becoming unoffendable!
Discussion Questions
Describe the thoughts and feelings you experience when you’re offended by someone (by some action or offensive words spoken against you).
When offended, we might feel hurt, anger or revenge. Describe the destructive nature of each of these responses.
Jesus gives a specific description and warning to the disciples regarding the end of the age. Read Matthew 24:10-12. What do you notice about this progression that begins with being offended?
Jesus was the perfect example of one who was unoffendable. How do Jesus’ words in Luke 23:34 illustrate His unoffendable nature?
Read Proverbs 19:11. In what sense is glory found in overlooking an offense? Can you recall a situation in which you overlooked an offense?
Pick a particular circumstance and describe your journey from being offended to offering forgiveness. Were there discernable steps in that process? How do empathy and forgiveness help you become unoffendable?
How might becoming unoffendable produce freedom within you? What other benefits might you realize by becoming unoffendable?
Further Reading
Doubting Doubt
Doubt is the presence of uncertainty. This uncertainty can present itself at anytime, for both believers and skeptics alike. The aim for both is to consider their own positions of doubt and consider these beliefs in view of a risen Jesus. Whether a believer or a...
When Jesus Restores…
Receiving forgiveness and experiencing restoration can become pivotal moments that shape our character. Peter received a course correction for life as Jesus gently but powerfully restored their relationship and Peter’s role. Together, we can grow deeper into Jesus’...
Overcoming Failure
Failing is a common but disappointing life experience that always seems to catch us by surprise. When our failures are placed into the hand of Jesus, he can use even our shortcomings to fuel our growth. Let’s discover the part failure played in Peter’s life and how we...
Forgiveness
As God has forgiven us, we are to forgive each other. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus is teaching His disciples, and us by extension, that forgiveness should be in like proportion to the amount forgiven. The first servant had been forgiven all, and he...
Peter’s Confession and Jesus’ Church
Jesus accomplishes his mission through his Church, but our part in a local church can be challenging as well as rewarding. In Matthew 16, we discover part of the foundation for God’s work through his Church and our part in it. How might God be calling you to be part...
Get Back in the Boat
Fear can creep into our lives at any time, especially when our happiness, comfort, or success is threatened. As we’ll see from Peter’s example, following Jesus doesn’t automatically eliminate our fears. However, we can also see how our fears fade into the background...
Butterfly Effect
Getting started is often the hardest part of any effort. Fortunately for Peter, when he started to follow Jesus, he found help from his brother. Influencing others to find and follow Jesus is the heart of our mission. Let's explore the value of introducing other...
Hope Released
At Easter, God’s new creation work bursts out onto an unsuspecting world with new life and new possibilities for hope. We join that never-ending celebration of God’s faithfulness, compassion, and power by responding and living with confident hope. How does life change...
Seeing Salvation
Isn’t it ironic. Through what appears to be a dramatic failure, Jesus achieved victory over every power raised against him. Through experiencing death, Jesus provides life for all who trust in him. As we explore Jesus’ crucifixion from Mark 15, let’s remember the...
In the Garden
What does faithfulness look like in the face of our temptations and weakness? Along with Jesus’ disciples, we can learn and grow in faithfulness as we follow Jesus to the last supper and into prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Read Mark 14:32-42, and if you can make...