Key Thought: Joseph’s life illustrates the power of forgiveness. Forgiveness releases us from the poison of bitterness and resentment.
August 14, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 42:21-24.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What was Joseph trying to do in the first meeting with his brothers? What did he hear?
3. Personal Application: What family difficulty can you work to facilitate reconciliation and bring resolve to? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Joseph could have held a great grudge against his brothers. He could have easily gotten even. Why did he choose not to get revenge, or at least give them a hard time?” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 18:31-35.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does forgiving others do for us?
3. Personal Application: How are we supposed to respond to those who hurt us? How are we doing in that regard? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “If we forgive someone, does that mean there won’t be consequences? Does it mean they are allowed to continue abusive and destructive patterns? If forgiveness a blank check for them?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis 50:15-21..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What were Joseph’s brothers worried about?
3. Personal Application: What happens when forgiveness doesn’t turn out so well? How do we deal with less than happy endings? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I’ll forgive someone when they confess to me and say they are sorry and ask for my forgiveness. If they can’t admit they were wrong and tell me they are sorry, I’m not going to forgive them.“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Luke 23:34; 6:28; Matt 5:44..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Is there any importance to the timing of forgiveness?
3. Personal Application: Is there anyone you need to forgive, not only for their sake but also for your own?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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