1/21 Genesis 45 - The Difficult Path Towards Forgiveness & Reconciliation

People will hurt us, that's a fact of life. The question is, how do we respond? Even more challenging is the question of how to find true forgiveness and reconciliation when that hurt runs deep. Join us today in our study of Genesis 40-45 and learn from Joseph's example of forgiveness and reconciliation. 

DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS: The following discussion questions can stand alone or be used in conjunction with the Key Chapters podcast. They can be used in a Small Group, family discussion, or for personal reflection. The idea is that the person/group/family will have read the Key Chapter and then answer the questions. Perhaps there would be time to listen to the podcast as well.

 

1. Why did the podcast suggest that Moses (and the Lord) made sure that the children of Israel, who were about to enter the Promised Land, knew this story? What was its message for them? What is its message for us today?

2. The podcast quickly summarized Genesis 40 & 41 while Joseph was in prison and then his release. What happened in those chapters?

3. What do you think of how Joseph responded when he first re-met his brothers? How might you have responded if you saw your brothers for the first time, over 25 years after they sold you into slavery?

4. The podcast explained that forgiveness is when we don’t require a person to repay a debt that is owed. What was the debt that Joseph’s brothers were in, to Joseph? Where have you received this kind of forgiveness? Where have you extended this kind of forgiveness?

5. The podcast also made a distinction between forgiveness and reconciliation. According to the podcast, how are they different? How is this distinction helpful when having to work through a complex and painful issue between us and someone else?

6. How is Genesis 40-45 an example of the difficult work that goes into forgiveness and reconciliation?

7. Why does Joseph have them jump through all those hoops? How did their responses demonstrate a true heart-change in their lives?

8. How did Joseph respond when he saw the heart-change of his brothers? How did this further them all down the path towards true forgiveness and reconciliation?

9. What spiritual principles can we learn and apply from Genesis 45:5 and Genesis 50:19? How might these two verses relate to our lives when we face difficulty and adversity?

10. What was the outcome (short term and long range) of Joseph and his brothers being able to work through these issues and coming to a place of true forgiveness and reconciliation?

The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1!

To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org.

Available on all major podcast platforms, and now on YouTube.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv

Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819

As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 40 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com.

Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM.

Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.