2013 JUNE WEEK FOUR LESSON

STUDY 25

FORGIVENESS II – DEALING WITH INGRATITUDE

Main Text: Genesis 16:1-9

Memory Verse: Genesis 16:9

Today’s lesson is a continuation of study one in which we looked at the destructive nature of the sin of disobedience and the need to seek forgiveness from God when we sin against Him or our fellow humans. However, we shall focus our attention on one of the causes of sin – ingratitude, and how to deal with its consequences.

Man’s ingratitude often results in offences committed against other people. Such offences usually sour existing relationships and sometimes results in enmity. To heal wounds of this nature, it is necessary for parties involved to work towards reconciliation. The offender must be willing to accept their fault and the offended must be willing to forgive as necessary. This necessary step calls for true humility on the part of both parties.

Study Questions

1. Why do you think some people are always ungrateful to others?
2. How did Hagar show ingratitude to Sarai? Gen 16:3,4
3. How did Sarai deal with Hagar’s ingratitude? Gen 16:5,6
4. How do people express their need for forgiveness? Gen 33:1-4
5. How does God deal with broken relationships? Gen 16:9
6. How can you be reconciled to someone with whom you have a grudge?

Conclusion

We should be guided by the love of God to seek after reconciliation with our fellow men. Yet it is only when we allow the love of God to fill us that we can truly forgive those who trespass against us. On the other hand we need humility to admit our faults against others. In this way we prepare ourselves for forgiveness, reconciliation, and meaningful fellowship with God and our fellow humans.

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