21 Days of Family Devotions - Day 11: Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Today’s lesson is about the parable of the unforgiving servant.
Read the Passage: Matthew 18:21–35
[21] Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
[23] “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. [24] When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25] And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. [26] So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ [27] And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. [28] But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ [29] So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ [30] He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. [31] When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. [32] Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. [33] And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ [34] And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. [35] So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Watch the Video:
Tell the Story: CLICK HERE to view the story slides
NOTE: If you click on the first slide it will go full screen and a script will be on the bottom of the screen.
Discuss the Questions:
Do you remember what a parable is? (A story Jesus told to illustrate/show a spiritual truth)
Who asked Jesus about forgiveness? (Peter)
In the parable, who was collecting money at the beginning of the story? (The king)
When the man couldn’t pay the king the large amount of money he owed, what did the king order? (All of his possessions would be sold and the man and his family would be sold as slaves.)
What did the man do? (Begged the king to give him more time)
What did the king do? (The king had mercy on the man, let him go, and told him he forgave the debt – he didn’t owe the king money anymore)
What did the man who was forgiven do when he ran into a man who owed him a small amount of money? (Strangled him and had him thrown into jail)
When the king found out what happened, what did he do? (He had the first man thrown into jail)
Why do you think the king was so mad? (Because the first man was forgiven of so much but he wouldn’t forgive the second man of a small thing)
Who does the king, the first man, and the second man represent in this parable? (King – God, first man – us, second man – those who ask us for mercy/forgiveness)
What is Jesus trying to teach us with this parable? (Since God has been so merciful and forgiving to us, we should show mercy and forgive others).
Have some Fun:
Sing some Songs:
