Make-up Work: Repairing What’s Been Broken
May 17, 2026
Everyone gets hurt — but not everyone heals. Bitterness imprisons families for generations, while forgiveness opens the door to freedom, peace, and restoration. In this powerful message from Matthew 18, we discover that forgiveness is not ignoring what happened or pretending it didn’t hurt — it is releasing a debt because Christ has released ours. Forgiven people become forgiving people.
Passage
Matthew 18:21-25
Principle
##Forgiven## people are ##forgiving## people.
- My ##capacity## to ##forgive## grows in proportion to my ##awareness## of how much I’ve been ##forgiven## .
- My ##refusal## to forgive reveals that I have not fully ##accepted## God’s ##forgiveness## .
Practice (Homework)
##Confess## quickly, ##forgive## freely, and ##remember## constantly how much you’ve been ##forgiven##.
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple’s or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
When you were growing up, how did your family handle conflict?
Choose one: We apologized quickly | We avoided conflict | We exploded, then moved on | We held grudges | We talked things through | Something else
HEAR
Read Matthew 18:21-35
- What surprises you most about Jesus’ story?
- Why do you think the servant who was forgiven so much could not forgive so little?
- Where do you most identify in this story: needing forgiveness | withholding forgiveness | struggling to receive grace?
Read Ephesians 4:31-32
- How have you seen these — bitterness, rage, anger, slander, malice — take root in a family?
- Why do you think Paul directly ties forgiving others to God’s forgiveness of us in Christ?
- What would it look like if grace became the “culture” of your home?
Read 1 John 1:8-9 & Psalm 32:5
- Why is confession often more difficult than forgiveness?
- How does regularly confessing your own sin make it easier to extend grace to others?
- What would change in your family if confession became a normal conversation?
HUDDLE
Review the Rule of Life for Forgiveness together. Is there anything you and your family already do that is suggested? Are there one or two elements you will try to implement this week? What seems particularly hard? Talk about it, hold one another accountable, and pray for one another.
Daily Reading
Follow the day-by-day events that ended with Jesus’ crucifixion. Take time each day to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and His love for you.
- Day 1: Matthew 18:21-35
- Day 2: Psalm 51
- Day 3: Ephesians 4:25-32
- Day 4: Colossians 3:12-15
- Day 5: Luke 7:36-50
- Day 6: Romans 12:17-21
- Day 7: Luke 23:32-34
Passage to Memorize: Ephesians 4:31-32
Think Deeper
- Did you grow up in a family where people often and sincerely apologized when necessary?
- Beyond the forgiveness you’ve received through Christ, what is the most meaningful act of mercy you’ve experienced?
- Is there anyone you’re still holding bitterness and anger toward?
Suggested Resources
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Peter Scazzero
The Meaning of Marriage, by Tim Keller
Habits of the Household, by Justin Whitmel Earley
The Tech-Wise Family, by Andy Crouch
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.