Date: November 17, 2024
Joseph and His Brothers: Family Reconciliation
The Point: Forgiveness can lead to family healing and restoration.
Get Into the Study
Share the following after discussing the opening Get into the Study:
During game four of the World Series between the LA Dodgers and New York Yankees, a few Yankees fans tried to help their team win by any means necessary. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts caught a ball, but didn’t notice that he was directly in front of the stands. A Yankees fan in the front row attempted to rip Betts’ glove off his hand and take the ball while another fan held the outfielder’s wrist. The hit was called out and the fans who took the ball from Betts were removed from the stadium by security.
Passionate fans can ruin the game for those around them, especially when they interfere with gameplay. These two fans taking the ball from Betts and potentially changing the fate of the game can cause resentment between players and fans alike. As believers, we should be careful of our actions and not let our jealousy or other high emotions cause us to act in ways that would build resentment between us and those around us. When resentment festers, it causes further division and strife. We should seek forgiveness when we have wronged someone and give forgiveness to those who have wronged us in return, so that our relationships can be restored.
Get Into the Study [Option from the Daily Discipleship Leader Guide]
After answering the Icebreaker question and reading the Bible Meets Life, show the “Reconciliation and Forgiveness Start Here” clip from the movie, Invictus to introduce the session. Spend a few minutes discussing the power of forgiveness in reconciling relationships. Invite volunteers to share personal experiences as time allows.
Get Into the Study [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of a famous comeback story. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play Matthew West’s song “Forgiveness” before or after you spend time in prayer together. Invite volunteers to share what the Lord may be teaching them about forgiveness and reconciliation.
Live It Out
Share the following as you discuss the application ideas in Live it Out:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has returned another looted ancient Greek artifact to the Italian repatriation efforts. This artifact is a kylix, an ancient drinking vessel, was originally produced around 490 B.C. and later reconstructed from fragments by conservationists over fifteen years. This is the second cup of this design and coloring to be returned to Italy from the Met, with the first being returned in 2022 in the aftermath of an antiques trafficking investigation.
The investigation found that the artifacts were likely broken into pieces because they were less likely to be found by customs during illegal exporting and reselling. The Met has been collecting these pieces since the late 1970’s to repair the kylix.
In thanks for the repatriation, Italian officials have allowed the first kylix to remain on view in New York as part of a long-term loan, though the second one will be returning to Italy.
When a wrong has been done, reconciliation should be sought. Believers are called to be peacemakers and honor God in all we do, including both seeking and giving forgiveness. At times, forgiveness includes restitution. We should prayerfully ask God to reveal where we can make amends and ask Him to bring healing to our relationships.
EXTRA was written by Emily Duncan, a Southern California native currently living in West Georgia with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. God saved her from Wicca when she was sixteen, and she now serves alongside her youth pastor husband as a girls’ leader at New Hope First Baptist Church in Dallas, GA. Emily spends most of her time tangled in yarn while crocheting or reading outside in the hammock.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When have you passed up a great deal and later regretted it?
- When have you made a mistake but later discovered it turned out for the best?
- When have you recently had an “I told you so” moment?
- What was a family ritual you had growing up that you remember fondly?
- What’s your favorite comeback story?
- What’s the best reunion you’ve been a part of?
Genesis 42:3-5
- When has a crisis actually turned into a blessing for you?
- How does a crisis call us to depend on God and others?
- What is it about a crisis that can bring people together?
- Why does a crisis often bring people together?
- How have you seen God use external crises to help resolve internal conflicts?
- What are some steps we can take to actively trust God in the middle of hardship?
- When has a crisis brought your family together?
Genesis 42:21-24a
- What is the difference between repentance and remorse?
- What are the characteristics of someone who shows repentance?
- What are the benefits of repenting?
- What are the consequences of not repenting?
- What are some steps to repentance?
- How can you tell the brothers are on the road to repentance in these verses?
- What are some barriers to repentance?
- What obstacles get in the way of us repenting?
Genesis 45:1-5
- What are the benefits of offering forgiveness?
- How can forgiveness change relationship dynamics?
- How can unforgiveness change relationship dynamics?
- Why is forgiveness necessary for healthy family relationships?
- How have you seen God bring good out of bad events to achieve His purpose?
- How does experiencing God’s grace enable us to be channels of grace to others?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Want Your Life to Flourish? Try This.
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
HomeLife – One, Two, Three …
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Thank you for producing the rich content in the lessons! The podcasts are helpful to me as a new Core group teacher. It is surprise how often the content in the lessons matches up to our pastor’s sermons. Particularly because we are usually behind by a month!
One question our group has asked is, what is the significance of the cover picture for the fall young adult Daily guides? Why are the flowers coming out of the shirt? Outgrowth of our new creation in Christ?
Thank you for the encouraging words! Regarding the cover of the Daily Discipleship Guide, it’s a unique visual expression of thriving geared towards young adults. We didn’t imbue it with any meaning beyond that.