Editor’s Note: This daily Next Step resource is based on a four-part sermon series,
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go … with Jesus!”
from Trinity Lutheran in Clinton Township, Michigan.
Download the printable PDF for Week 1.
Prayer for the Week
Jesus, sometimes it’s hard to ask for forgiveness.
Sometimes it’s hard to offer forgiveness.
Sometimes my relationships seem broken beyond repair.
Send Your Spirit to shape my heart like Your heart.
Let Your forgiveness flow freely to me, and through me to others.
Give me hope that my relationships can heal even now;
and give me confidence in eternal reconciliation in the life of the world to come. Amen.
Table Talk
Read Genesis 50:12-20.
Talk about one thing you remember from the sermon on Sunday. Brainstorm together or phone a friend. If you would like to watch or review the sermon, go here. (The sermon begins at 21:54.)
For further discussion: go back through the story of Joseph. Why was Joseph’s relationship with his brothers so broken? Who needs forgiveness in the story? When did forgiveness happen? What about reconciliation?
Pray the prayer of the week.
Table Talk
Read Matthew 18:21-35.
Why does the behavior of the servant make the master so angry? Are there any ways, large or small, that we end up acting like that? Reflect on your life, not on other people.
For further discussion: have a friend or family member hold their hand in a fist. Try to give them a dollar bill. Now have them hold their hand open. Try again. It’s hard to receive forgiveness in a closed fist. Discuss.
Pray the prayer of the week.
Faith Experiment
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.
Find a 4×6 index card or cut a piece of paper in half. Draw a box about 4×4 inches big. Take some time by yourself to write out some of your own sins in the box. Focus on sins that break your relationship with God or others. Read 2 Cor. 5:18–21 again. Use a dark marker or some white out to cover over your sins. You are forgiven.
Faith Experiment
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (again).
Find another 4×6 index card or half a piece of paper. Draw another box about 4×4 inches big. This time, write out some sins from other people in the box. Focus on sins that have caused you personal pain or damaged your relationship. Read 2 Cor. 5:16–19 again. Use a dark marker or some white out to cover over their sins. They are forgiven.
Table Talk
Read Colossians 3:12-16.
Which was easier for you, Wednesday or Thursday? Was it easier to receive forgiveness or give forgiveness? Why do you think that is? Pray the prayer of the week.
Faith Experiment
Try this with one or more important people in your life who you trust and who can point you to Jesus. Each of you write an I.O.U. on a slip of paper. Consider for a moment what you have done to damage that relationship. Exchange I.O.U.’s. Now consider what the other person has done. After a moment of prayer, rip up the I.O.U.’s. Talk about the experience together.
Table Talk
Read Psalm 133.
Pray the prayer of the week.
What did you like to do with your friends for fun when you were growing up? In your day to day life right now, what kinds of things build relationships or bring joy?
Faith Experiment
Take some time this weekend to have fun with someone you know. Invest in a new relationship. Strengthen an established relationship. Do one of your favorite things with one of your favorite people. Have fun. And invite Jesus to be present.
This discipleship resource is produced by Next Step Press in collaboration
with Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Clinton Township, Michigan.
(c) 2020, Next Step Press: We help you take a next step.