The claim of this thesis is that where there is “perceived betrayal” which inflicts pain, hurt, disappointment, lack of trust, and stagnation within a congregation, preaching and teaching on forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation that includes all age levels of the congregation in small group bible studies can lead to healing and wholeness. This thesis makes claim that what blocks us from the way of forgiveness does not always lie in the unreadiness of the one who has been wronged to forgive but sometimes in the inability of the one who has done wrong to acknowledge it. Keeping this in mind, through preaching and small group studies the learners and hearers will recount old fears, recognize their unworthiness, experience the scripture, and believe and receive forgiveness as a result of God’s love. Furthermore, this thesis claims that the preacher and Parish Project Group working closely together are effective tools in the process to form and shape the sermons in a way that makes it possible for more people to be touched. “Two are better than one... if one falls, the other can help." (Ecclesiastes 4:9.10)
