Unit 1: Struggles with Love 💖
God’s Plan Revealed | Bible Background • Bible Background • GENESIS 43; 45:1-15
Printed Text • GENESIS 45:1-15 | Devotional Reading • JOHN 14:1-14
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will UNDERSTAND how Joseph viewed his past mistreatment at the hand of his brothers, RECOGNIZE how God is at work in difficult circumstances, and RESPOND to mistreatment not with vengeance but with creative, transforming initiatives.
IN FOCUS
As Melvin sat at his mother’s funeral, he couldn’t believe she was gone. He deliberately did not sit on the front row with the rest of the family. Many of his relatives were treating him like an outsider—like he had no right to mourn. He hadn’t come to visit after learning the cancer had spread. He didn’t want his mother’s last memory of him to be as a drug addict. Other relatives and friends had long abandoned him. Mama had known for years that he abused drugs, but she always held out hope. “Son, I’m praying for you,” she would say. “And I know the Lord can hear me.” Melvin felt he had let his mother down for not getting clean before she passed. Melvin began to cry. Never before had he felt so afraid, alone, and unloved. Then, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw his younger sister. “Big brother, I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you came,” she whispered. Finally, Melvin looked over his left shoulder. It was the first time he had ever seen his father cry. “Welcome home, son. Welcome home.” The love he felt from his family made Melvin determined to get help immediately.
What is the greatest act of forgiveness you’ve witnessed? Was all animosity truly forgiven?