Unit 1: Struggles with Love 💖
Love Versus Guilt | Bible Background • Bible Background • GENESIS 42
Printed Text • GENESIS 42:6-25 | Devotional Reading • PSALM 51
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXPLAIN why Joseph’s brothers interpreted their misfortune as punishment for their sins, SENSE the need for wholeness in their personal relationships, and IDENTIFY ways to accept God’s forgiveness and strive to offer grace to those who mistreat them.
IN FOCUS
Denise was certain that Yuri was the cruelest girl in high school. Almost every day, Yuri would talk about Denise behind her back, spreading mean rumors about who she
had a crush on or what she “really” thought about her friends. Even though none of these rumors were true, a few of Denise’s friends had believed Yuri’s lies and abandoned her. Denise felt alone and hopeless, just wanting this nightmare to be over. All of a sudden, things changed. Yuri stood up in homeroom and said, “My family is moving to Pittsburgh.
Today is my last day–just wanted to say goodbye to you all.” Denise couldn’t believe her ears! Yuri left. In an instant, school became easy for Denise. She graduated high school and went on to cosmetology school, and even opened her own salon. A few years later, a woman about Denise’s age wandered into the salon for her first appointment. Denise gave her usual warm “Hi!” and “Welcome!”–but the other woman froze, and Denise realized why. The woman who came for an appointment was Yuri. The same girl who bullied her so long ago was now coming to Denise to style her hair. Yuri sat silently in the chair, feeling awful for things she had done as a teenager. Denise began the appointment and asked with a smile, “So, how’ve you been, Yuri?” The two women caught up about their lives. At the end of the appointment, Yuri and Denise each walked away feeling a little better about their past and more importantly, where they will go in the future in their new relationship.
Do you think Yuri apologized? Explain. How have you experienced reconciliation in your life? Describe that experience.