All of us know what it’s like to be hurt or betrayed. Often it’s a small breach such as being spoken to rudely or overlooked in a time of need. Other times we experience lies, gossip, or harsh words that cut us to the core. Some of us have endured unspeakable pain through abuse, adultery, or abandonment. God knows the pain we cause each other and longs to help us learn to practice forgiveness. Nowhere do we see forgiveness played out more fully in Scripture than in the biblical story of Joseph. This six-week study explores what God has to say to us about grace and forgiveness through Joseph’s story of trial and triumph found in Genesis 37-50. As we study his dreams, his betrayers, his dysfunctional family, his struggle to forgive, and his journey toward reconciliation, we’ll find truths that echo into our own personal situations as well as practical help for answering common questions, such as: How do I stop dwelling on the hurt? Is forgiving someone excusing what happened? When will I stop having to re-forgive? Is there a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? How can I forgive and still set boundaries? Is it ever okay not to forgive? Whether or not you are working through a hurtful situation right now, you can learn from Joseph how to release your past and present hurts to God and allow Him to do a supernatural work of forgiveness in your life. God wants to use the very things intended to hurt you as a source of blessing in your life and the lives of others. The Leader Guide contains six session plan outlines, complete with discussion points and questions, activities, prayers, and more—plus leader helps for facilitating a group. Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a Participant Workbook, DVD with six 20-25 minute sessions, and boxed Leader Kit (an all-inclusive box containing one copy of each of the Bible study’s components). God wants us to release our past and present hurts and allow Him to do a supernatural work of forgiveness in our life. Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women’s conference speaker (including the Aspire Women’s Events), Bible teacher, and author who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping others to seek Christ and know Him more intimately. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God’s Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ. She is a contributor to Girlfriends in God online devotional as well as Proverbs 31 ministries First Five app. She is the author of eight Bible studies ( Acts , The Names of God , Romans , Elijah , Numbers , First Corinthians , Joseph , and Jeremiah ) and four books ( Total Family Makeover , Total Christmas Makeover , 30 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Stamina , and Dare to Hope ). Melissa makes her home in Waxahachie, Texas, with her pastor husband and four kids. Joseph The Journey to Forgiveness Leader Guide By Melissa Spoelstra Abingdon Press Copyright © 2015 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4267-8911-3 Contents Introduction, Getting Started, Tips for Tackling Five Common Challenges, Basic Leader Helps, Week 1: Acknowledging the Pain (Genesis 37; 39), Digging Deeper Introductory Article Highlights: Does God Have Favorites?, Digging Deeper Week 1 Highlights: The Story within the Story, Week 2: Waiting to Be Remembered (Genesis 40), Digging Deeper Week 2 Highlights: Dreams and Dreamers, Week 3: Dreams Coming True (Genesis 41–42), Digging Deeper Week 3 Highlights: The Power of Two, Week 4: The Roller Coaster Ride (Genesis 43–44), Digging Deeper Week 4 Highlights: Walk Like an Egyptian, Week 5: Grace and Boundaries (Genesis 45–46), Digging Deeper Week 5 Highlights: Forgiving Ourselves, Week 6: Moving Forward (Genesis 47–50), Digging Deeper Week 6 Highlights: Messianic Glimpses, CHAPTER 1 Week 1 ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAIN Genesis 37 & 39 Leader Prep Memory Verse 2 I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. 3 When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Psalm 142:2-3 Digging Deeper If you did not have an introductory session, read the Digging Deeper Introductory Article, "Does God Have Favorites?" Also read Digging Deeper Week 1 , "A Story within the Story," for context about Genesis 38, which diverges from the Joseph story to focus on Judah's encounter with his daughter-in-law Tamar. Note any interesting facts or insights that you would like to share with the group. (See pages 24–26 for highlights; read the full articles online at AbingdonPress.com/Joseph .) Materials Needed • Joseph DVD and DVD player • Stick-on nametags and markers (optional) • Copy of family tree handout (see AbingdonPress.com/Joseph ), pens or pencils (Optional Group Activity) • Index cards (optional — Prayer Requests) Session Outline Note: Refer to the format templates on page 7 for suggested time allotments. Welcome Offer a word of welcome to the group. If t