Are You Kidding Me?! - After All They Did to Me?!

Genesis 45:1-24

Has anything specific jumped out to you, either in this passage or from the sermon on Sunday?

If you were in Joseph's place, do you think you could have forgiven your brothers for all they did and for all they caused you to go through?

Are there offenses that have been committed against you that are very difficult for you to forgive? What's that process been like?

What typically hinders you from fully forgiving someone else?

Joesph was betrayed by his brothers, his boss' wife and his friends in prison. Instead of becoming bitter, he trusted God. How can you avoid becoming bitter when you are betrayed?

How does your relationship with God effect your ability to forgive others?
(Joseph trusted God's plan and believed in His providence, which allowed him to forgive his brothers.)

How can you use this to help you now and in the future?

Is there a mistake you have made where you've found it difficult to forgive yourself? How can this story help you do something about that?

What did this part of Joseph's story show you about God?

How has this group been a good example of reconciling community?

Next Steps:

Will you choose to forgive? Ask the Lord to show you specific people, perhaps some that you are not aware of, that you need to forgive. Write out a prayer expressing your willingness for God to change your heart toward someone you need to forgive.

Thank God for forgiving you! Remind yourself that the forgiveness we extend to others is very small in comparison with the forgiveness that God extends to us.

Announcements:

If your rGroup is going to take a break from your regular weekly meetings, please let your group know what to expect. When's your last week before the break? Will you get together a couple times in the summer to serve or hang out? When will you start back again? What can you do to stay in touch, refresh, and use the summer to your advantage?

Also, stay tuned for a rGroup Leaders get-together coming up this summer. I don't have a date, time or place established yet, but this will be a great time for all of us.

In the meanwhile, please email me at stephen@discoverrevo.com if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc. I enjoy hearing from you.