14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. GENESIS 50:14-21 NLT

All relationships require some level of forgiveness

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. COLOSSIANS 3:13 NLT
I must learn to forgive people who:
• Annoy me
• Have hurt me
• Have committed evil against me
Forgiveness is not saying:
• What happened was ok
• We are going to still be friends
Forgiveness is releasing judgment to God

Forgiveness Frees me from the burden of being God

God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. PSALMS 7:11 ESV
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” MATTHEW 11:28-30 NLT

Forgiveness Relieves me from the power of evil

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. EPHESIANS 4:26-27 NLT

Forgiveness Prepares me for judgment day

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. MATTHEW 6:14-15 NLT

Forgiveness Allows me to become more like Jesus

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” LUKE 23:34 NLT
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. EPHESIANS 4:32 NLT
Practice prayer:
Father forgive _______ as you have forgiven me. Bless them as you have blessed me.

Forgiveness Opens the door to better relationships

Grace unlocks intimacy
Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. PROVERBS 17:9 NLT

Group Discussion Questions

1. In what way has this message redefined your view of forgiveness?
2. Where in your life has unforgiveness impacted you; either where you didn’t receive forgiveness or when you didn’t give it to another?
3. Recall a time when someone forgave you. What happened? What was that experience like for you?
4. Are there some individuals in your life from whom you need to seek forgiveness? What are some next steps you can take to do that?
5. How do you respond to the idea that forgiveness releases judgement to God?
6. What would it look like for you to practice forgiveness, even in the most simple ways, in your everyday relationships?

Prayer Reflection Guide

Take some time to get alone with God. Quiet your body, mind and heart before him, focusing your attention on him. Begin a conversation with God about forgiving others. Ask him some questions like, “Lord, who do I need to forgive and for what, specifically? How has my unforgiveness impacted me personally? How has it impacted my other relationships? To what degree am I willing to forgive them?” Allow these questions to guide your time with him. Close your time with thanking God. Share what came out of your time with someone.