Chapter 1:
The Unthinkable Tragedy Page

1. Read chapter 1 and reflect upon these questions: “Must Christians be expected to forgive an extremely heinous crime? Are some crimes so horrific and evil that no forgiveness is required?” Record your reflections.
2. Have you ever experienced a tragedy similar to Anthony Thompson’s? If so, describe. What was your immediate reaction? Did you choose to forgive the offender? Why or why not? What was the result of your forgiveness or unforgiveness?
3. What makes Dylann Roof’s crimes almost impossible for society, and even some Christians, to forgive?
4. Read and contemplate the following Scripture verses on forgiveness and record your thoughts on the meaning of each:
   • “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35).
   • “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
   • “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14–15).
   • “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you . . . Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:27, 36).
   • “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13, emphasis added).
5. React to Anthony Thompson’s statement: “As a Christian, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, I choose to obey God’s Word, and that means I make the decision to forgive the evil man who so wickedly and deliberately takes away my lovely wife.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
6. Examine Anthony Thompson’s question, “Can I, in the darkest remote closets of my all-too-human heart, forgive Dylann Storm Roof for the cold-blooded murder of my beloved companion?” Have you ever felt this way? Record your thoughts.
7. In your opinion, why did the bereaved Amish parents view their forgiveness of Charles Roberts as “the one good thing that can come out of this tragedy”?
8. Reflect on Corrie ten Boom’s statement about forgiveness: “For I had to do it—I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. ‘If you do not forgive men their trespasses,’ Jesus says, ‘neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’”
9. Corrie learned that “forgiveness is not an emotion . . . forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Please explain.
10. Read Luke’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion and death in Luke 23:26–43. For what crimes did Jesus receive punishment and a death sentence? (See Luke 23:1–5.)
11. Reflect on parts of Jesus’ life as recorded in the following Scriptures. Describe the event and record/discuss your thoughts.
    • Healing the sick: Matthew 4:23–25; 8:1–4; 8:14–17; 9:18–34; Mark 7:31–37; John 5:1–15
    • Feeding the hungry: Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 8:1–13
    • Casting out demons: Matthew 17:14–18; Mark 5:1–20
    • Restoring life to the deceased: Luke 7:11–17; John 11:38–44
12. How did Jesus, in His dying moments, express His forgiveness for those who so cruelly executed Him? (See Luke 23:34.) In your opinion, did the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus receive His forgiveness? If so, how do you think Jesus’ verbal forgiveness might have impacted their lives?
13. Reflect on this statement: “Jesus suffered a horrific crucifixion, and yet before He died, He forgave those who would torture and kill him. As Jesus is my Lord, Savior, and example to follow, I can do no less than to forgive the young white racist, Dylann Roof, for the heinous death of my dear wife, Myra.”
14. In Isaiah 53:4–6, the prophet describes the suffering and pain Jesus willingly experienced so that we could be forgiven of our sins. In verse 5, Isaiah points out that because of Jesus’ act of forgiveness, “by his wounds we are healed.” What are we healed of? Who are the ones healed: us or the ones who offended us? Why?
15. Why is “the man-made catastrophe at Emanuel . . . among the most sorrowful and powerful stories in recent memory”? Please record/share your thoughts.

For Deeper Understanding

1. Read more about the life and work of Corrie ten Boom in her autobiography The Hiding Place.
2. Study Jesus’ Parable of the Sower from Mark 4 and respond to these questions:
   • Verses 3–4: Why did Jesus use the farmer sowing seed as text for the story? What does the “seed” represent?
   • What did Jesus teach when He said that “some [seed] fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up”? To what was He referring?
   • Verses 5–6: What did Jesus mean when He said some seed fell on rocky places, and it sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow? What happened to the seedlings when the sun came up? To what is He referring?
   • Verse 7: What does Jesus say about seeds planted among thorns? What happened to the plants? Why?
   • Verse 8: What does Jesus say about the seed that fell on good soil? To what is He referring?
   • Verses 10–20: Ponder the reason Jesus taught using parables. How did Jesus explain the Parable of the Sower to His disciples?
3. Read about the crucifixion and suffering of Jesus from a medical point of view at https://www1.cbn.com/medical-view-of-the-crucifixion-of-jesus-christ. What did you learn?

Your Notes