In order to forgive, I must admit that I have been hurt. This can be hard to do, as we are sometimes more inclined to try to bury our feelings rather than work through them.

Acknowledging unchristian feelings of resentment and even anger before God is fine. We see this often expressed in the Psalms. I can feel free to tell God that I didn’t like what happened or how I was treated and that it makes me sad or angry or both.

Image © Stan Myers at Goodsalt.com

In Joseph’s story, we see him crying as he sees his brothers again and relives some of the feelings of his past.

What does Jesus’ declaration on the cross tell us about the timing of forgiveness? Read Luke 23:34.

Jesus didn’t wait for us to ask for forgiveness first. We do not have to wait for our offender to ask for forgiveness. We can forgive others without having them accept our forgiveness.

What do Luke 6:28 and Matthew 5:44 teach about how we relate to those who hurt us?

Forgiveness, like love, begins with a choice rather than a feeling. We can make the choice to forgive, even if our emotions may not agree with this decision. God knows that in our own strength this choice is impossible, but “with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). This is why we are told to pray for those who have hurt us. In some cases, this person may have already died, but we can still pray for the ability to forgive him or her.

No question, forgiveness isn’t always easy. The pain and the damage done to us can be devastating, leaving us hurt, crippled, broken. Healing will come, if we allow it, but holding on to bitterness and anger and resentment will make healing much harder, if possible at all.

The Cross is the best example of what it cost God Himself to forgive us. If the Lord can go through that for us, even though He knew that so many would, nevertheless, reject Him, then we certainly can learn to forgive, as well.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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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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