INTRODUCTION

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

Bible Point:

God wants us to forgive.

Key Verse:

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).

Big Picture:

Practice forgiveness.

Pharaoh Puts Joseph in Charge

Genesis 39:20-41:49

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

Genesis 42-45

It can be easy to focus on how other people have hurt or annoyed us, instead of noticing the times we have hurt others. Taking personal responsibility is something everyone is learning, and it can feel uncomfortable to admit when we are wrong. On the outside you might want to avoid blame, but deep down you may know what really happened and be ready to face it.

This week we will explore what it means to own our actions and seek forgiveness when we have caused harm. It takes strength and honesty to admit your mistakes, but doing so helps your relationships grow and helps your heart grow too.

This study will encourage you to step toward responsibility with confidence, knowing that forgiveness and grace are always available when you ask.

TRY THIS

Set out a bowl and a pile of pebbles in a prominent location in your home where everyone spends some time, such as the kitchen or family room. For one week, make it a practice to put a pebble in the bowl each time you forgive someone in your family who did something that hurt you (big things or little things), and tell them that you’ve forgiven them. Also, each time you do something that you need to ask forgiveness for, take that person to the bowl, apologize for what you did, and put a pebble in the bowl. At the end of the week, you’ll see the evidence of forgiveness in action as you see the pebbles in your bowl increase. After the week is done, keep the bowl there for a while as a reminder to everyone that forgiveness is a necessary and needed quality in your relationships. Also, commit together to continue to forgive and seek forgiveness in your family.

DAILY CHALLENGE

• WHO do you need to forgive? Pray for that person at least three days this week, and ask God to help you forgive him or her.

• SHARE with your family what you learned in this study, making sure to include the Key Verse, and then ask them to forgive you for the things you’ve done that call for forgiveness.

• LOOK up Psalm 51 and read it at least five days this week. Turn it into your own prayer for forgiveness.