Teach Me to Forgive

August 14, 2021

DAILY READING

Genesis 50:15-26

FIELD NOTES

I worked with inner-city youth for several years.  One day we were studying the story of Joseph.  When we arrived at this scene in Genesis, where Joseph forgives his brothers, several of the students were absolutely confounded.  Joseph’s brothers had betrayed him, imprisoned him, and sold him into slavery.  Several of those students had close family members in prison.  They had seen their brothers, uncles and cousins suffer through incarceration.  They had watched them come out hardened and angry.  The students had experienced how broken and difficult it was for their families when they had a family member in prison.  It was traumatic and difficult.  The experiences forever etched in their brains.  They couldn’t believe that Joseph would forgive anyone who had purposely intended to cause such utter demise.  Yet that is our calling in Joseph’s story.  We are called to be people of forgiveness and grace.  We are called to be people who seek God even in the most difficult of circumstances and to ultimately forgive those who have wronged us.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Are there areas of your life where you need to forgive yourself or others?
• Are you seeking God even in the most difficult of circumstances like Joseph did?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• What does it mean to forgive?

PRAYER GUIDE

God, teach me what it means to truly forgive.  Teach me what it means to experience grace for myself and extend grace to others.  God help me to forgive those around me for whom I hold a grudge and help me to forgive myself for anything that prevents me from experiencing your glory.  Amen.