Announcement
Curt and Jennifer Kneese would like to invite you to their house for lunch after church on Easter Sunday. Please RSVP by calling Jennifer at 446-6222.
Scripture
Genesis 50:15-21 (ESV)
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him." [16] So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died, [17] 'Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. [18] His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." [19] But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? [20] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. [21] So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Questions to Reflect Upon
- What is the hardest promise you have had to keep?
- What worried Joseph’s brothers after their father died, and what did they do about it? (50:15-18)
- How did Joseph respond to his brothers? (50:19-21)
- What makes forgiving someone who has wronged us so difficult?
- Why is it sometimes hard to accept someone’s forgiveness?
- How can God bring good out of evil?
- What set of bad circumstances will you ask God to use for good?
- Who is someone you will forgive today, even without him or her asking you to do so?
