Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Lesson 5

Lesson Outline Introduction A. No Limits B. Lesson Background Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. No Limits B. Lesson Background

Unlimited Forgiveness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Unlimited Forgiveness A mother loaned her daughter her car to drive to her daily methadone treatment that was helping her overcome an addiction. Running late, the daughter was speeding to the appointment in a downpour, hydroplaned, hit a concrete barrier, and totaled the car. She emerged unhurt. 466327320 Photo © kadmy / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo © kadmy / iStock / Thinkstock® 3

Unlimited Forgiveness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Unlimited Forgiveness In spite of the daughter’s remorse and sincere apology, it took a while for the mother to forgive and move on from the loss of her car. When have you experienced a significant loss in your life caused by the indifference, negligence, or malice of someone else? Photo © kadmy / iStock / Thinkstock® 4

Unlimited Forgiveness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Unlimited Forgiveness Pick a loss where you can say, “I used to have ____________, which was very valuable to me, but because of what [not real name] said or did, I will never have it again.” Share this experience with another class member. Include your emotional reaction when you remember that experience. Photo © kadmy / iStock / Thinkstock® 5

Unlimited Forgiveness Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Unlimited Forgiveness Some losses are harder to forgive than others. Yet Jesus tells a parable that demonstrates why it is so important for us to forgive others, no matter what they have done to us. Let’s see what that reason is. Photo © kadmy / iStock / Thinkstock® 6

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. Posing a Problem (Matthew 18:21, 22) A. Peter’s Question (v. 21) B. Jesus’ Answer (v. 22)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Request / Response A series of requests and responses occurs in today’s text. Identify each request and describe the response given. 493378380 Photo: © Highwaystarz Photography / iStock / Thinkstock® Photo: © Highwaystarz Photography / iStock / Thinkstock® 8

Request / Response Read Matthew 18:21, 22. Request from Peter: Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Request / Response Read Matthew 18:21, 22. Request from Peter: “Tell me how many times I am to forgive someone. Seven times?” Response from Jesus: “Not 7, but 70 times 7 (or 77 times)”—that is, unlimited forgiveness. Have half of the class provide each request, and the other half provide each response. Photo: © Highwaystarz Photography / iStock / Thinkstock® 9

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What steps can we take to resist keeping score when it comes to extending forgiveness? Talking Points for Your Discussion When wronged by a family member When wronged by someone at church When wronged by a stranger Other 10

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? As we become willing to forgive without limits, how do we protect ourselves from being taken advantage of? Talking Points for Your Discussion By family members By coworkers By strangers Other 11

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. Presenting a Parable (Matthew 18:23-35) A. Servant’s Crisis (vv. 23-25) B. King’s Compassion (vv.26, 27) C. Servant’s Cruelty (vv. 28-31) D. King’s Condemnation (vv. 32-34) E. Jesus’ Challenge (v. 35)

Request / Response Read Matthew 18:23-25. Request of king to servants: Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Request / Response Read Matthew 18:23-25. Request of king to servants: “Repay everything you owe me.” Response from king to servant with an immense debt: “Pay me, or you and your family will be sold as slaves.” Have half of the class provide each request, and the other half provide each response. Photo: © Highwaystarz Photography / iStock / Thinkstock® 13

Request / Response Read Matthew 18:26, 27. Request of servant: Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Request / Response Read Matthew 18:26, 27. Request of servant: “Be patient, and I will repay you.” Response from king to servant: “I am merciful; your immense debt is forgiven.” Photo: © Highwaystarz Photography / iStock / Thinkstock® 14

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What can you do to stay mindful of how much God has forgiven you? Talking Points for Your Discussion When a confrontation is imminent When alone in prayer Taking into account your own temperament Other 15

Request / Response Read Matthew 18:28-30. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Request / Response Read Matthew 18:28-30. Request of forgiven servant to debtor: “Pay me the small amount of money you owe me.” Response of debtor: “Have patience, and I will pay you.” Response of forgiven servant: “No, you are going to prison!” Photo: © Highwaystarz Photography / iStock / Thinkstock® 16

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What lessons have you learned from times you were unwilling to forgive? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding impact on physical health Regarding impact on spiritual health Regarding impact on relationships Other 17

Request / Response Read Matthew 18:31-35. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Request / Response Read Matthew 18:31-35. Request of fellow servants to master: “Listen to what your servant did to his debtor.” Response of master: “Deliver him to the jailers until he pays all his debt.” Highwaystarz Photography / iStock / Thinkstock 18

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? Without giving advice, how would you counsel a friend who hesitates to forgive? Talking Points for Your Discussion Considering the nature of the wrong Considering the nature of the relationship between the two individuals Considering the difference between forgiveness and consequences Considering the extent of forgiveness your friend has received from Jesus Considering repentance or lack thereof 19

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Horizontal Visual Start a discussion by asking, “If forgiveness is the key, then what is being locked or unlocked?”

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. From Parable to Real Life B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Debts and Debtors All of us who have had our sins forgiven can identify with the servant who had an immense debt, far beyond what he could ever repay. As we think about what Jesus did for us, how should we respond to other people in our lives who need our forgiveness? 200444218-001 Photo: © Sin Stafford / DigitalVision / Thinkstock® Photo: © Sin Stafford / DigitalVision / Thinkstock® 22

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Debts and Debtors Can you think of three people right now who owe you something? The debt can be of various kinds: A debt of money that they owe you A debt of an explanation for something that happened A debt of an apology for mistreatment Click to add notes Photo: © Sin Stafford / DigitalVision / Thinkstock® 23

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Debts and Debtors How will you work toward reconciliation with each of your debtors? As you remember how much Christ has forgiven you, how will that make it easier for you to forgive others? Click to add notes Photo: © Sin Stafford / DigitalVision / Thinkstock® 24

Thought to Remember The master teacher is also the master forgiver. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember The master teacher is also the master forgiver.

Jesus criticizes unjust leaders Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson Jesus criticizes unjust leaders