KINGDOM FAMILY

10.14.12
Scripture for this week: Genesis 42-50 Matthew 5:23-24, 18:15-35 John 20:19-23 Romans 12:14-21

DIGGING DEEPER

Hear
What is God's Word saying? Read Genesis 45:1-15 and 50:15-21. These scenes are some of the most profound accounts of human forgiveness in the entire Old Testament. Joseph--betrayed, sold out, and subjected to all kinds of injustice by his brothers--now has the power to exact revenge upon them. But he has chosen to forgive. As you read the passage, write down 2-3 observations about Joseph's perspectives that have enabled him to forgive. How does he see his brothers? How does he see his circumstance? How does he see God? _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

Understand
How does his Word relate to where we are living right now? Forgiveness can be challenging both to give and to receive. In 50:15-21, we see that the brothers--who have already been forgiven by their brother--spend 20 years living in the fear that Joseph was simply waiting for Jacob's death before getting his vengeance. They haven't received the freedom of forgiveness! In the New Testament, Jesus' death on the cross opens the way for o ering forgiveness and receiving forgiveness. Simply put, to forgive is to cancel a debt (Matt. 18:15-35). Forgiveness does not minimize nor deny that the o ense occurred; rather, forgiveness means releasing what cannot be repaid into the hands of God, the righteous judge. Now, ask God to help you re ect on your own life. Are there any areas of unforgiveness toward others? Are there any areas where you have not received forgiveness personally? _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Do
How will I respond? This week, we encourage you to practice forgiveness intentionally. Whether it's on the giving or receiving side, seek ways to reinforce the depth of forgiveness. Because forgiveness is a choice, we often don't "feel" like we've forgiven another (or received forgiveness) immediately even if we've chosen to release them to God. Furthermore, forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation, which involves agreement between both persons. For example, through Jesus God o ers forgiveness to us for our sins, but we are not reconciled to Him until we acknowledge our own sin and receive his grace. For now, however, ask God for the grace to forgive--not in your own strength but by tapping into the great forgiveness owing from his throne. Whenever you "feel" like you're losing your sense of forgiveness, remind yourself of the choice to forgive. Reconnect with Joseph's perspectives that enable such powerful forgiveness. And once again look to God.

Additional Book: RT Kendall, Total Forgiveness (Florida: Charisma House, 2007) Resources Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005) mp3: Jon Courson, "The Weeping of Joseph and Jesus" (http://mmedia.joncourson.com/genesis/S7004.mp3)