Living the Dream
Dreams to Destiny – Part 4
September 25-26, 2021
Cody Kiwaczyk
Genesis 42-45
- Jesus Forgave So I Can Forgive Others.
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matthew 5:23–24 (p.736)
Reconciled: be restored to a normal healthy relationship
Questions to help me in the process of reconciliation:
- Ask: Can trust be rebuilt?
“Joseph then ordered his servants to fill the men’s sacks with grain, but he also gave secret instructions to return each brother’s payment at the top of his sack. He also gave them supplies for their journey home.” Genesis 42:25 (p.36)
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 (p.928)
- Ask: Is this the right time?
“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.” Matthew 11:29 (p.742)
- Ask: Is there something I must forgive?
“Joseph could stand it no longer…Then he broke down and wept…’I am Joseph!’ he said to his brothers… ‘don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives…God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors…it was God who sent me here, not you!’” Genesis 45:1–8 (p.38)
Series Key Verse: Genesis 50:20 (p.43)
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves…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 (p.904)
Next Step: _____ I need to reconcile a relationship, please pray with me and for me as I begin to take the steps in this process.
Discussion/Groups Guide
Weekend Talk of September 25/26, 2021
Dreams to Destiny – Part 4: Living the Dream
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Our Fall Groups Semester has begun! But you still have time to try a Group. We can help! Find out more about Groups (in person and online) at alivechurch.com/groups.
Conversation Starters
- Who, besides Jesus, have you seen exemplify an attitude of forgiveness?
- Has anyone watched the Clint Eastwood film Unforgiven? It is a classic western and was only the third western to make the library of congress. Basically, it is a tale of revenge for wrongdoing. If you remember the film, which scene stood out for you?
- There have been many films and stories dealing with unforgiveness. Are there any you recall? What stood out in the films for you?
- Do you know of any warring families? What caused the upset? Has there has been any resolution?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out, challenged, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
This week’s One Thing: The key principle that Pastor Jeff Love emphasized is:
Jesus Forgave So I Can Forgive Others.
- Background: Genesis 42-45 (p.35-39)
- Series Key Verse: Genesis 50:20 (p.43)
Reconciled: be restored to normal healthy relationship.
Pastor Cody encouraged us to ask these questions to help us in the process of reconciliation:
- Ask: Can trust be rebuilt? (Genesis 42:25 (p.36); Hebrews 12:14 (p.928))
- Have you experienced this? When have you seen trust actually get rebuilt?
- What steps made a difference in seeing this happen?
- Another question to consider: What are the barriers to rebuilding trust and how can we help each other to rebuild them? What role can you play in this?
- We are commanded to forgive even IF trust is NOT rebuilt. IE forgiveness is commanded even if the other party never changes.
- Why is this? How does that make you feel?
- Ask: Is this the right time? (Matthew 11:29 (p.742))
- Have you experienced releasing a burden to Jesus? How did that happen? Did you struggle to let go or was it relatively easy?
- Talk about a time when you have seen the passage of time help a situation and when it may have not been helpful.
- Why is timing so important?
- Ask: Is there something I must forgive? (Genesis 45:1-8 (p.38); Colossians 3:13 (p.904)
- Is this really an offense against you or is it just that you got upset over something (or at someone) that was unintentional?
- See also Matthew 6:12 (p.737) – The Lord’s Prayer.
- Does Jesus put any limitations on His teaching to forgive? Why or why not?
- And what about if YOU are the offending party? How do you deal with that?
Digging Deeper (usually to study on your own)
- You may remember the Truth and Reconciliation committee setup in 1996 at the end of Apartheid by the Government of National Unity in South Africa. The commission was to bear witness to, record, and in some cases grant amnesty to the perpetrators of crimes relating to human rights violations, as well as offering reparation and rehabilitation to the victims. A register of reconciliation was also established so that ordinary South Africans who wished to express regret for past failures could also express their remorse. In other words, it allowed the ordinary people of South Africa a fresh start.
- Sounds like the Gospel: being reconciled with God and making a fresh start. In the Christmas carol, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, we sing: “God and sinners reconciled.” Reconciliation is a key ingredient to Christ’s message of Good News. (See Romans 5:8-11 (p.860) (the NIV uses the word “reconciliation”).
- Getting right with God is one thing, but with others, it is more problematic.
- See 1 Corinthians 11:20-33 (p876). Verses 27-29 are very challenging. Meditate on verse 28. What thoughts does God bring to mind? Explore what it means in light of a passage we looked at a few weeks ago: Matthew 5:23-25 (p736).
My Next Step This Week:
- _____ I need to reconcile a relationship, please pray with me and for me as I begin to take the steps in this process.
Use the link on the app or go to your Connection Card at www.alivechurch.com/card to indicate you are taking this Next Step so that we can pray for you.
* The Life Transformation Bible is the New Living Translation of the Bible, including many useful tools to help you better understand God’s Word, including our own Alive Church Life Transformation Discipleship Plan. They are available FREE. Let us know if you’d like to have one. We also have a Kids and Spanish Edition of the Bible.