Focus on Matthew 18:21–35

September 11, 2011
Exod. 14:19–31
Ps. 114
Rom. 14:1–12
Matt. 18:21–35
Proper 19
A Massive Debt Forgiven
Goal for
the Session
Youth will celebrate God’s great forgiveness and the freedom
they receive in forgiving others.
n P R E P A R I N G
F O R
T H E
S E S S I O N
Focus on Matthew 18:21–35
WHAT is important to know?
— From “Exegetical Perspective,” Lewis R. Donelson
Peter’s suggestion that he must forgive up to seven times is not an attempt to place a limit on forgiveness. In fact,
since seven is a holy number, Peter is probably asking something like, “Must I practice perfect forgiveness?” To
which Jesus responds, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times” (v. 22). While the exact number is
not clear in the Greek, the point of the number is. Your forgiveness must be beyond perfect; it must be beyond
counting. The parable places human forgiveness in the context of divine forgiveness and divine punishment.
WHERE is God in these words?
— From “Theological Perspective,” Kathryn D. Blanchard
This parable is a reminder of the high value Matthew’s Jesus places on forgiveness, particularly among his
followers. The church is meant to be a uniquely forgiving people, a people of humility and repentance. Hearers
of this parable must not place themselves in the judgment seat of the king who forgives, but rather in the
hot seat of the unworthy servant who is forgiven. In any reading of this text, the theological tenet that God’s
“default” stance toward the penitent is one of mercy must lead to the conviction that God’s people are those
who likewise practice mercy—willingly, concretely, and as a communal way of life.
SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? — From “Pastoral Perspective,” Charlotte Dudley Cleghorn
Although Peter’s question is directed toward others within the church, those with whom there is a bond
through the Spirit of God, the area of forgiveness is one that weighs heavily upon people of faith in all areas of
their lives as they seek to live in a way that is faithful to Jesus’ life and teaching. Jesus speaks to the necessity
of forgiveness because he knows the effects unforgiveness has on individuals and communities. There are so
many situations within our society that, when not dealt with, can sow the seeds of bitterness and fester into
deep, painful wounds.
NOW WHAT is God’s word calling us to do?
— From “Homiletical Perspective,” Charles L. Campbell
The forgiveness spoken of by Jesus in this passage is set within the communal process outlined in
Matthew 18:15–20—a process that includes naming the sin, the repentance of the sinner, and where necessary,
the communal support of the victim. It is a challenging process that does not minimize the sin and that
provides resources to support and empower the one who has been sinned against. Only within this process does
Jesus call us to forgive other church members countless times. The forgiveness Jesus calls for is inseparable
from truth telling and accountability within the church.
© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Youth
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A Massive
Debt Forgiven
FOCUS SCRIPTURE
Matt. 18:21–35
Focus on Your Teaching
The parable of the Unforgiving Servant brings into sharp focus the words of the Lord’s
Prayer: “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” When Peter asks Jesus
how many times we need to forgive someone who has wronged us, Jesus makes it clear
that forgiveness can’t be based on a number. If numbers were involved, our debt would be
immeasurable! Instead, forgiveness is based on reflecting God’s limitless mercy and grace.
For an adolescent, where life is awkward and screw-ups can be frequent, this parable brings
good news. God is merciful and, as God’s community, we are called to reflect God’s infinite
mercy to one another.
God of all things, help me to live my life as your humble servant by
offering forgiveness and accepting the forgiveness of others. Amen.
YOU WILL NEED
o childhood snack
foods and drinks
o children’s storybook
oBibles
n L E A D I N G
T H E
S E S S I O N
o copies of Resource
Sheet 1
o paper and markers
o index cards and pens
GATHERING
Serve the group an appropriate childhood snack such as cookies and milk. Pay attention to
any food allergies of the participants.
o recording of
contemplative music
and music player
o small basket
For Responding:
Read aloud a children’s storybook that teaches a moral. For example, The Little Engine That
Could has a theme of believing in yourself. After the story, ask:
P What does this story teach you about life?
P What is your favorite childhood story or storybook? What is the theme of your favorite
story or storybook?
o option 1: copies of
Resource Sheet 2
o option 2: computer
with Internet access
o option 3: newsprint,
markers, party
decorations,
cupcakes, cupcake
Use this information to move from the children’s story to Jesus’ parables:
P Stories are often an effective way to teach important truths.
P Jesus often told stories called parables.
P Parables have sometimes been described as earthly stories with a heavenly meaning,
which means that Jesus is trying to teach an important truth in telling them.
P Over the next few weeks we will be looking at a number of Jesus’ parables and learning
important truths about being a follower of Jesus.
decorations, recording
of celebratory music,
music player, supplies
for party games
Pray:
Life-giving God, we gather as your holy people, ready to be challenged.
May our hearts be open to you as we open your holy Word. Amen.
For Film Connection:
o Hoosiers (1986; PG)
and movie-viewing
equipment
© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Youth
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A Massive
Debt Forgiven
EXPLORING
Consider watching
a creative version of
Matthew 18:21–35
available by entering
parable of the Unmerciful
Servant in the YouTube
search engine.
Form groups of three or four participants and assign each group one of these styles: opera,
urban, country western, soap opera, or Broadway musical. Invite each group to create a skit
that brings Matthew 18:23–35 to life in their assigned style. After a few minutes, give each
group an opportunity to present their skit to the rest of the participants.
Use this information to help the participants understand the parable:
P The amount that the slave owed was an immeasurable balance, like a single person
owing another person a debt of 10,000 lifetimes.
P The fellow-slave’s debt was an amount that could be paid off.
Discuss:
P If it would have been impossible for the slave to pay back the entire sum to the king,
was the slave really asking for patience (v. 26)? If not, what might the slave have been
looking for?
P With which person in this story do you most closely connect? Why?
P Why might it have been distressing to the other slaves when they saw someone
thrown into prison for not paying a relatively small debt?
Explain that Jesus told this parable, known as the parable of the Unforgiving Servant, in
response to a question from one of his disciples. Without looking at their Bibles, invite
participants to brainstorm a list of possible questions that could have provoked Jesus to
tell this parable. After a few minutes, read Matthew 18:21–22 to see if anyone guessed the
correct question.
Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 1 (Exegetical Perspective). Read and discuss the excerpt
together. Ask:
P How does Peter’s rephrased question (“Must I practice perfect forgiveness?”) affect the
meaning of the parable?
P What does it mean for forgiveness to be beyond perfect?
P What does this parable teach us about God?
P What does this parable teach us about ourselves?
Give each participant a sheet of paper and a marker. Invite participants to create bumper
stickers that reflect a teaching from the parable. When they finish, have them show their
bumper stickers to the rest of the group. Cut out the bumper stickers and post them around
your church building.
RESPONDING
EASY
PREP
Choose one of the following learning activities:
1. Grace and Forgiveness Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 2 (Amish Grace and
Forgiveness). Read the article together and discuss:
© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Youth
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A Massive
Debt Forgiven
Consider watching one
or more YouTube videos
about the attack on
an Amish schoolhouse
in 2006. Use Amish
school shooting news
as the search words
to find news reports,
interviews, and photo
essays about the tragedy
and responses to the
tragedy.
P In what ways does this story connect with Matthew 18:21–35?
P How is this story an example of perfect forgiveness?
P When have you had the opportunity to forgive someone? What freedom did you
receive in forgiving him or her?
2. Forgiving a Massive Debt Watch James Caldemeyer’s story from www.iamsecond.com/#/
seconds/James_Caldemeyer. Lead the participants in comparing James’ story of begging
God for forgiveness to the way that the slave begged for forgiveness from the king. Discuss:
P What questions about the challenges of forgiveness does James Caldemeyer’s story raise?
P How does Caldemeyer respond to God’s great forgiveness?
P When have you struggled to forgive someone? What freedom did you receive
in forgiving him or her?
3. Celebrate! Lead the participants in creating a spontaneous party that celebrates God’s
great forgiveness. Have group members make signs and decorate cupcakes to reflect the
theme. Play celebratory music and lead appropriate party games. Games could include
Pin the Tail on the Forgiving Donkey (play Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but draw a speech
balloon so the donkey says, “I forgive you”) or Hot Potato Forgiveness (play Hot Potato
using a small ball with “forgiveness” written on it). Distribute the cupcakes and discuss:
P Have you ever stopped to celebrate God’s forgiveness? Why or why not?
P Why is it important to celebrate God’s forgiveness?
P How can you celebrate God’s forgiveness in the future?
CLOSING
Give each participant an index card and a pen. Play contemplative music while participants
each write a short prayer that thanks God for God’s forgiveness in a certain situation. When
all are finished, gather the participants in a circle around the small basket. Offer participants
an opportunity to read their prayer to the rest of the group before placing the prayer in the
basket. Close with a prayer that thanks God for the freedom that comes with practicing
perfect forgiveness.
n E N H A N C E M E N T
FILM CONNECTION
The film Hoosiers (1986; PG) is a true David versus Goliath story of a small high school in
Indiana that became the state basketball champion in 1954 when all schools, regardless
of size, competed in the same tournament. Several characters in the story experience
redemption, including a father and son. The father, considered to be the town drunk, has
embarrassed his son many times. Watch the scene where the son visits his father in the
hospital before the state championship game. Ask:
P How does this film clip connect with Matthew 18:23–35?
P How is forgiveness evident in the conversation between the father and the son?
© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Youth
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Youth
Resource Sheet 1
September 11, 2011
Exegetical Perspective
WHAT is important to know?
Peter’s suggestion that he must forgive up to seven times is not an attempt to place a limit
on forgiveness. In fact, since seven is a holy number, Peter is probably asking something like,
“Must I practice perfect forgiveness?” To which Jesus responds, “Not seven times, but, I tell you,
seventy-seven times” (v. 22). While the exact number is not clear in the Greek, the point of the
number is. Your forgiveness must be beyond perfect; it must be beyond counting. The parable
places human forgiveness in the context of divine forgiveness and divine punishment.
— From “Exegetical Perspective” by Lewis R. Donelson
How does Peter’s rephrased question (“Must I practice perfect
forgiveness?”) affect the meaning of the parable?
What does it mean for forgiveness to be beyond perfect?
What does this parable teach us about God?
What does this parable teach us about ourselves?
© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Youth
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Youth
Resource Sheet 2
September 11, 2011
Amish Grace and Forgiveness
Following the tragic Amish school shooting of ten young schoolgirls
in a one-room Amish school in October 2006, reporters from
throughout the world invaded Lancaster County, Pennsylvania,
to cover the story. However, in the hours and days following the
shooting a different, an unexpected story developed.
In the midst of their grief over this shocking loss, the Amish
community didn’t cast blame, they didn’t point fingers, they didn’t
hold a press conference with attorneys at their sides. Instead, they
reached out with grace and compassion toward the killer’s family.
The afternoon of the shooting an Amish grandfather of one of the
girls who was killed expressed forgiveness toward the killer, Charles
Roberts. That same day Amish neighbors visited the Roberts family
to comfort them in their sorrow and pain.
Later that week the Roberts family was invited to the funeral of
one of the Amish girls who had been killed. And Amish mourners
outnumbered the non-Amish at Charles Roberts’s funeral.
It’s ironic that the killer was tormented for nine years by the
premature death of his young daughter. He never forgave God for
her death. Yet, after he cold-bloodedly shot ten innocent Amish
school girls, the Amish almost immediately forgave him and showed
compassion toward his family.
In a world at war and in a society that often points fingers and blames
others, this reaction was unheard of. Many reporters and interested
followers of the story asked, “How could they forgive such a terrible,
unprovoked act of violence against innocent lives?”
The Amish culture closely follows the teachings of Jesus, who
taught his followers to forgive one another, to place the needs of
others before themselves, and to rest in the knowledge that God is
still in control and can bring good out of any situation. Love and
compassion toward others is to be life’s theme. Vengeance and
revenge is to be left to God.
Reprinted from www.800padutch.com/amishforgiveness.shtml. Used by permission.
© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Youth
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