How easy is it for you to seek reconciliation with someone you have offended or who has offended you? Talking about reconciliation is easier than doing it. Whether out of pride or fear of confrontation or rejection, it is natural for us to avoid restoring what might have once been a healthy relationship. This is the focus of this week's Explore the Bible Study: Reconciled, from LifeWay.

Sometimes it seems easier to let relationships wither and die rather than to put forth the effort to seek reconciliation. But, as believers, we can't ignore broken relationships. Our heart for God and the reconciliation he has given us should cause us to pursue reconciling broken relationships.

Teaching Ideas
The downloadable teaching ideas offer two options for introducing the session and a review that will be helpful in setting the context. Help your group get into the minds of Esau and Jacob as they approach and respond to each other in this passage. It is a beautiful picture of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Here are some of the questions that you could use as you guide the study:

Genesis 33:1-4

• What did Jacob do after he organized his family? How does this demonstrate the transformation that has taken place in Jacob's heart?
• What did Esau do when he saw Jacob?
• What can you learn from Jacob about how to seek reconciliation from those you have wronged?
• What can you learn from Esau about receiving reconciliation from those who have wronged you?

Genesis 33:5-11

• How did Jacob describe his family? What does this indicate about Jacob's view of his entire family, not just the son given to him by Rachel?
• When have you seen an inheritance create hatred among siblings? Have you ever experienced this personally? Do you think reconciliation is possible?

Genesis 33:12-20

• Consider conflicts you have had in the past that are now reconciled. What are some ways you can protect yourself from the conflict arising again?