The Better Way

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Teaching Notes

What would you do if you held the remote control of someone’s life?

What do you do when you finally have the power to make someone pay for what they did?

 

THE BETTER WAY | Genesis 42-45

Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt…

Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 

Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them…

Genesis 42:3, 6, 8

 

FORGIVENESS is the better way.

 

  • Forgiveness is POWERFUL.

Forgiveness ≠ WEAKNESS

Forgiveness = STRENGTH

 

Forgiveness ≠ FORGETTING 

Forgiveness = FREEDOM

 

Forgiveness ≠ CONDONING or EXCUSING

Forgiveness = HEALING & WHOLENESS

 

Forgiveness ≠ SEEKING JUSTICE or COMPENSATION

Forgiveness = RELEASING 

 

Forgiveness ≠ RECONCILIATION or RESTORATION

Forgiveness = A ONE-PERSON DECISION

 

“It takes one person to forgive; it takes two people to be reunited.”

- Lewis B. Smedes

 

  • Forgiveness is a PRACTICE.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

Genesis 45:4-5

 

The R.E.A.C.H. Model: By Dr. Everett Worthington

R – RECALL the hurt. 

E – EMPATHIZE.

A – ALTRUISTIC gift.

C – COMMIT.

H – HOLD onto forgiveness.

 

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:19-20

 

  • Forgiveness is the JESUS way.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

- Jesus

 

“Once we see ourselves as people who need God’s mercy, we will be more likely to show mercy to others.”

- Jerry Sittser, A Grace Disguised

 

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32