R - Rely on God 6 sessions What are you relying on? - Christ ...

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23STUDY 5Joseph was sold in Egypt to Potiphar, the manager of Pharoah’shousehold. God was with Joseph and things went well for him untilPotiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. Joseph resisted her seductive waysby saying, “How could I violate my master’s trust and sin against God?”Eventually he fled her grasp, and she turned the tables and accused himof trying to rape her. When Potiphar heard this, he placed Joseph inPharaoh’s prison. There Joseph remained for thirteen years. During thattime he lived unhindered by bitterness. God was with Joseph and gavehim great favor, allowing him to be highly respected by all.Eventually he interpreted dreams of fellow prisoners, which broughtJoseph to Pharaoh’s attention when he had a perplexing dream. Afterhe interpreted the dream with God’s help, Pharaoh promoted Joseph asminister of finance in Egypt, second in command only to Pharaoh himself.He was given the responsibility of rationing grain to sustain the kingdomthroughout the seven years of famine Pharaoh’s dream had predicted.This is where we pick up the story in Genesis 42.1. Read Genesis 42:1-8. Who enters his life again in verse 3? What is hissituation in verse 8 and what are Joseph’s options?2. After at time of processing his losses/past, and testing his brothersfor repentance, Joseph shows he has fully forgiven and reconcileswith them in Genesis 45:1-14. What evidence is there that Josephexperienced deep grief as he processed his losses (see also 43:27-34)? What can we learn about the process of forgiveness from thispassage?3. To forgive deep wounds and injustice, it is necessary to trust God. Wemust believe His word that God will work in us and in others as weforgive. What glimpses might God have given Joseph that He wasactive in the lives of his brothers? (44:14-17)4. Did Joseph’s brothers ever ask for forgiveness or apologize? ReadGenesis 50:15-21. What was Joseph’s response?5. What can you learn from Joseph’s story about how to treat peoplewho have offended you? What impresses you most about Joseph’sforgiveness story?6. The Bible contains some compelling facts about forgiveness. Whatdo you see in these passages regarding consequences of notforgiving?• Psalm 51:10-12• Matthew 6:15; 18:23-35• Mark 11:25RELIES ON GOD
STUDY 524What compelling reasons to forgive do you see in the followingverses?• Matthew 18:21-22;• Romans 12:17-21• Luke 17:3-5• Ephesians 4:29-5:2• Colossians 2:13-14• Colossians 3:12-13• Hebrews 12:15• Psalms 130:3-47. Where have you struggled regarding forgiveness in your life? Whatare the arenas where you sense God might be inviting you to workthrough a new level of either:a. receiving God’s forgiveness?b. forgiving yourself?c. forgiving a person?d. forgiving ‘life’ or a set of circumstances?d. forgiving God?We know we need to forgive. Because God requires us to forgive and hasso graciously forgiven us, we know we can do it. Forgiveness is a choicethat begins a process. To think it’s a ‘one-time and it’s all over’ eventsets you up for denial of the very real emotions that accompany deepwounds. We don’t simply ‘forgive and forget.’ Part of the maintenanceaspect of life and relationships is that, when tempted to dredge up an oldhurt or wounding circumstance (and you will be tempted!), you remindyourself that “By God’s grace, I chose to give up my rights on that one andthough the hurt and anger was real, I choose not to dwell on it,” to keepmoving forward. Then take your next steps.RELIES ON GODSPIRITUAL EXERCISE:This week, set aside a couple of hours to go to a quiet place with yourBible, a pen/pencil and some paper. Prayerfully enter into a basic processof forgiveness, like the one outlined below. There is no ‘formula’ to workthrough resulting in immediate resolution to the emotions involved inthe forgiveness process, but don’t wait until you ‘feel’ like forgiving todecide to forgive. Instead, in surrender to God’s way of doing things,agree with Him today to journey toward a Jesus-like life, where you desirenothing to stand between yourself and God, especially the pride andbitterness of unresolved hurts that need forgiveness. Ask Him to lead youinto Christ like forgiving and He will.A Basic Forgiveness process:1. Ask God to help you evaluate your past wounds and betrayals, andname the specific offenses and losses that resulted. It can be helpful
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R - Rely on God 6 sessions What are you relying on? - Christ ...

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