March 14-20
Genesis 42-50
"God meant it unto good"
Materials: sack, books that are labeled (see below), video
Opening Song: "Help me fear Father" (Children's Songbook, 99)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity: using items from around your home, make a simple obstacle course. Have each family go through the obstacle course backwards. What would have made that easier? When we only focus on what is behind us, it makes it harder to see obstacles ahead. Living in the past only hurts us. When we forgive and learn from the past, we can look ahead to the future. What does it mean to forgive?
Lesson:
Have your family watch the video "Joseph and the Famine" from the church website. How did Joseph react to seeing his brother's again after 14 years? Did he forgive them?
Activity:
"Fill a bag or sack with five heavy objects (such as books or rocks) that have each been labeled with one of the following words: revenge, hurt, hate, resentment [bitterness about being treated unfairly], and anger. Have each family member take a turn trying to carry this heavy load. Explain that carrying those feelings in our hearts is an even greater burden than carrying the heavy bag. When we really forgive, we forget all of these feelings and are free from the burden of carrying them" (Family Home Evening Resource Book, pg. 186).
Joseph forgave his brothers but it wasn't immediate. Sometimes it takes time and the Lord's help to soften our hearts enough to forgive people who have wronged us. When we feel hurt or wronged, we can take comfort in the fact that our Lord and Savior knows exactly how we feel. He was betrayed by one of his closest friends and then crucified by his own people. He also is the ultimate example of forgiveness, pleading on the cross, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." We can always pray to the Father for help to find peace and forgiveness with others in our lives.
Closing Song: "Lord, I would follow thee" (Hymns, 220)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: whipped hot chocolate recipe here
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