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Topic: Forgiveness (Part 2)

Recap

Last week we explored the topic of forgiveness through the stories of Jacob and Esau, Cain and Abel, and Joseph and his brothers. In the beginning of Genesis, we see a people and world destroyed stemming from what happened between two brothers. However, towards the end of Genesis, we see the Lord begin the work of creating the nation of Israel, and it centers around what happens between brothers. Ultimately, we learned there is a way that seems right to us that leads to destruction (Proverbs 14:12), but the purposes of God will prevail. One world was destroyed because of a lack of reconciliation, but we see the glimmer of the hope God sent forth through generations begin through the work of reconciliation. The Lord is working on His plan of redemption for all people. Forgiveness is a critical part of the story. It is a part of our faith that cannot be ignored.

📖Scriptures we read and meditated on:

Genesis 4: 1-25

Genesis 25: 19-24

Genesis 27: 41-46

Genesis 32: 1-32

Genesis 33:1-11

Genesis 45 & 50

And then we made it personal, reflecting on and discussing these questions: 

• How has unforgiveness shaped different relationships within your family? What patterns can you see across generations?

• How has unforgiveness hindered the way you relate to others?

• How is unforgiveness, at any level, counterproductive to God’s plan of building His kingdom here on earth?

• Are there any areas of unforgiveness that you need to surrender? (Watch what you tolerate). 

Coming Up...

Tonight, we'll explore the topic of forgiveness through Jesus' teachings.

We used the study skill sometimes called "hyperlinking" to compare and contrast the stories in Genesis last week. I love doing this. It means to follow phrases in the Bible, viewing passages where the same or similar phrasing is used alongside each other. This really opens up our understanding of the scripture. 

The crazy thing is, Jesus' teachings point us right back to the story of Cain and Abel. Check this out:

Genesis 4:24 ""If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”"

Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Do you see that?!

Let's see what we discover this time.

📖Scriptures we're chewing on tonight:

Matthew 5:17-26

Matthew 6:5-15

Matthew 18:21-35

Geneis 4

Revelation 7:3

Hosea 6:6

1 Samuel 15:22

Psalm 51:17

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