Forgiving What You Can't Forget Study Guide: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Again

by Lysa TerKeurst

Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of unresolved pain, playing offenses over and over in your mind? You know you can't go on living like this, but you don't know what to do next. And you just don't know if you'll ever get past it. 

In this six-session Bible study (DVD/digital downloads sold separately), Lysa TerKeurst has walked this journey, wrestling with deep wounds that feel impassible and struggling to move forward. And she's discovered that, to find life-giving freedom, we have to let go of our bound-up resentment and resistance to forgiving people who've hurt us. With deep empathy, therapeutic insight, and rich Bible teaching coming out of 1,000 hours of study, Lysa helps us:


learn how to move on when the other person refuses to change and never says they're sorry; 
walk through a step-by-step process to free ourselves from the hurt of our past and feel less offended today; 
discover what the Bible really says about forgiveness and the peace that comes from living it out right now; 
identify what's stealing trust and vulnerability from our relationships so we can believe there is still good ahead; and 
disempower the triggers hijacking our emotions by embracing the two necessary parts of forgiveness. 
Designed for use with the Forgiving What You Can't Forget Video Study (sold separately).

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Christianity, Personal Development

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

Lysa TerKeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author of Univited, The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and 18 other books. Her newest book, It’s Not Supposed to be This Way, is scheduled for release in November of 2018. Lysa was recently awarded the Champions of Faith Author Award and has been published in multiple publications such as CNN and Fox News online. Additionally, she has appeared on the Today Show as one of the leading voices in the Christian community.

Each year, Lysa is a featured keynote presenter at more than 40 events across North America, including the Women of Joy Conferences and the Catalyst Leadership Conference. She has a passion for equipping women to share their stories for God's glory through Proverbs 31 Ministries' annual She Speaks Conference and writer training program, COMPEL: Words That Move People.

Connect with Lysa on social media @lysaterkeurst or at http://lysaterkeurst.com/.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This study helps dig deeper into the book. Since I only had it as an ebook I couldn’t write in it, but the paper edition is designed to use a pen to journal and answer questions.
The study is designed to be read in six-weeklong sessions that coincide with reading the book at about two or three chapters a week.
I think I would have benefited from the book without this guide, but I chose to read along since it was a free download when I signed up for the Proverbs 31 Ministries online Bible study (available at proverbs31.org)

[Wendy Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right from the first page, the author won my trust through her vulnerable and raw honesty. This is the best book I've read to date on the topic of forgiveness. I didn't feel preached at. I felt like someone held my hand and showed me how to take steps of forgiveness. One. Day. At. A. Time. It's applicable for all kinds of forgiveness needs. It helped me forgive past and present issues. This book is a blessing.

[Jencey/ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lysa Teurkerst is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She deals with topics that we can all relate to in her books. Forgiveness is an important topic to discuss and read about. I read her book by the same title back in January of last year. I had the opportunity to participate in a bible study at a church that was near my work. When I read the book there was an option to watch a video via Youtube where Lysa discusses this topic with the interviewer. i remember that one of the comments was that you could read this book more than once and learn something new each time. I agree with this comment. Also, the resources for this bible study can be found on Youtube or you can purchase the DVDs of the sessions.

What did I learn from this study?

1. Hurting people will hurt people. I can observe the people in my life and choose to see them for what it is their pain, not yours.
2. Not forgiving people hurts you more than them. They will go on with their lives and never know that anything is different.
3. You deserve peace. What happened wasn't right but you can pray that God will bless them and support them.
4. People-pleasing is still an issue for me but I am working on it.

We all deserve to enjoy our lives. Jesus Christ died to give us this privilege. I pray for those who read this that you will be encouraged to pursue forgiveness and let it go. I want to enjoy life! You deserve to enjoy your life.

[GIDGET · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not say enough good things about this book. Lisa has an easy to read way of writing. Her from the heart words reach directly into your own heart and soul. This book brings out so much of the hurts we all struggle with and those hurts cause unforgiveness, by reading this book and also doing the video study that can be done along with it has brought new freedom to me. I HIGHLY recommend anyone that's been hurt to read it, you WON'T be sorry.

[Chandra Boulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing study! I loved it every step of the way, practical small baby steps of how to truly forgive. I appreciated that she addressed several misunderstandings about forgiveness is... Not reconciliation or restoration. Those are separate independent actions. Forgiveness truly comes from God we simply have to accept it. That's why it's a giving....

[Chianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe even better than the related book.

The main book was good but this one really brings the reader into a deeper jaunt into forgiveness. No surface stuff - the nitty gritty devil in the details (literally bc to not forgive and choose bitterness is to do the devil’s work for him)!

Will revisit.

[Pianosue · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you decide to do this study you will need the book. It doesn't hurt to get the video either. Be prepared to do alot of reading and work. You will look back over the hurt in your life and work through it to move on to a richer life and be able to move forward through forgiveness with God's help. It is a deep study and will take some time to work through.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve gone through several of her studies, but I felt this one to be her most authentic and vulnerable. It really affected me and I will probably go through it multiple times in the future whenever I’m tempted to hold onto unforgiveness. I did not read the accompanying book and honestly didn’t feel like the study was incomplete without it. Definitely one her best!

[RJ Gernant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible. Author read. Maybe I would have gotten more out of the book at a slower pace and if reading hard cover. She has much insight and good Bible teaching on various types of relationships for which forgiveness is required. Not easy stuff. She uses a lot of her own testimony and experience.

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing book on forgiveness. She covers so many of my unanswered questions and she does it without pat answers. I have always believed in levels of forgiveness. But she names the levels and defines how to walk through the process. I loved this book and will definitely read it again.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a study I just did along with her book of the same title. This delved more into the Word more than the book. It really hit some very hard parts but worth going through. Forgiving is an everyday thing and a struggle on some days more than others.

[Teresa Witte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tough love from someone who has walked the pain path. The study guide is helpful too. I will spend more time going back into the scriptures and exercises offered. If you are carrying a burden and aren’t sure if God is working in your circumstances, I highly recommend this book.

[Sondra Wayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study needs to be done with the book. I did the videos too in a free study but they aren’t necessary. The workbook is a great help working through forgiveness…really ban essential companion to the book!

[Brandi Hardison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the study guide to go along with the book and journal. It was perfect for our Life Group meetings. And I loved how it had things for you so read and do everyday. I truly enjoyed this study and feel like it has changed me for the better.

[Jo Arterberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters were too busy living her live and not theirs. The action of the main character in not taking care of her own daughter was very sad and selfish. Well written book, I'm glad the author shared her feelings and desperation. I hope it helped her, I found myself judging her.

[Jenni Heins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the honesty and work the author struggles with right along with us. Learned several ideas new and practical and hopefully useful.

[Aniqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good study. Has helped me change so many negative patterns when it comes to forgiveness.

[Dawn Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thankful that I read this book. It is a gut-wrenching account of working through hurt and learning to walk in forgiveness.

[Paige Sandbulte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PHENOMENAL book on how to actually forgive rather than just the importance of it.

[Laura G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changer

[Sara Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5, I enjoy Lysa’s writing style and have read most of her books. Many healthy abs helpful take aways from this! Listened on audio, but it was a “quick” read!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study guide lets the reader search their own hearts as to how they are handling the issue of personal forgiveness in their lives. I recommend this entire study.

[Nanci แนนซี่ Fils-Aime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very captivating and very informative about true forgiveness and “WHY”! Excellent book!

[Tia Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I will reread and do a Study with it.

[Cassie Harre · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book for learning what true forgiveness looks like!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this repetitive with what was in the other two books, and frustrating to have to do so much "homework". I loved the videos and main book, but the study guide was not my favorite.

[Michaela Longoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this for anyone who is Christian and pursuing psychology or has an interest in it because it is a wonderful way of learning, good coping skills and how to properly address conflict

[RedVillainxREADS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very great book to help through the bumps of life. Curveballs. Love a good read.

[Jacqueline Caine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent companion to the book

[Calondra M B · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We forgive people from the overflow of what we believe about Jesus Christ.”