Healing Parent and Adult Child Relationships video series

Steps to Forgiveness

In a strained relationship, there is often hurt that needs to be dealt with before the relationship can begin to heal. Here in video four, Dr. John Townsend explains that grieving is an important component of forgiveness. Parents must fully recognize the hurt they feel so they can grieve it, then let it go.

Get more out of this series!

After watching video four, consider taking these steps to get the most out of this part of the series:

// Step 1

Answer these discussion questions:

1. 1. Can you recall the four stages of forgiveness that were identified in this video? Which stage feels the most natural to you? Which stage feels the least natural to you?
      
      
   2. What hurts might you need to forgive and put aside to begin to heal this conflict with your adult child?

// Step 2

Read and meditate on this verse: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 ESV)

// Step 3

Spend time in prayer:  

Father God,
Help us to gladly extend forgiveness toward our adult child. Although some of their accusations and actions have felt hurtful and unfair, we acknowledge that our child may not be able to see things from our point of view, since their experience is different from ours. Help us to accept our child’s perspective and take steps that lead to peace between us and our child.
Amen.

// Step 4

Read the article “How to get past the past” for help with dealing with unresolved hurt.

// Step 5

Listen to the Focus on the Family Broadcast “Let’s Not Fight: Godly Peacemaking” with guest Brian Noble, the executive director of Peacemaker Ministries.