This Bible study focuses on a passage in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.

Matthew 18:21-35

Objective: To understand the principle that God treats us

according to the way we treat others. If we forgive others

the wrongs they have done us, our Father in heaven will also

forgive us.

Introductory Question: Jesus talked a lot about forgiving

other people for the wrongs they do to us. He exemplified

forgiveness when he died on a Roman cross, praying "Father,

forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

What does the word forgiveness mean? Do you have a similar

word in your language? Is forgiveness highly valued in your

culture?

Introduction: When Jesus taught his followers how to pray,

his model prayer for our relationships with other people went

like this: "Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive

the wrongs that others have done to us." He reemphasized

this point to his followers after teaching them how to pray

by saying:

"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your

Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not

forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs

you have done."

Jesus made the same point at another time in a memorable

story about a servant who did not know how to practice

forgiveness.

Reading the Passage: Have the group read the passage has a

role play.

Assign the following parts:

Peter

Jesus

Servant

Second Servant

King

Have the group read the passage silently to find out their

lines. Then have the group read the passage aloud.

Questions: Matthew 18:21-22 - The Question

v 21 - Like so many other times, Jesus told a story in

response to a question. In this instance, the question came

from Jesus' follower, Peter.

Teachers in Jesus' time said that you should forgive your

brother up to three or four times. Peter asked if he should

forgive his brother seven times? What answer do you think

Peter was expecting when he asked Jesus if he should forgive

his brother up to seven times? Peter's question shows that

he had already learned something about forgiveness. What

does his question imply that he already knew?

v 22 - How many times did Jesus say we should forgive? What

do you think his answer means?

Matthew 18:22-35 - The Story

Jesus says this story represents what God's kingdom is like.

Who do you think the king represents in the story? Who do

the servants represent? Whom do you think Jesus wants us to

identify with in the story?

What is your reaction to the king? What kind of person is he

- how would you characterize him? Do you like him? Why or

why not?

How did you react to the servant who showed no mercy? Do you

think the king's judgement on him was just?

Thought Questions:

Why do you think Jesus told this story to Peter? What did he

want to happen in Peter's life?

If this story represents God's kingdom, it implies that Jesus

believed people owe a great debt to God that he is willing to

forgive. What debt would people owe to God that would need

forgiveness?

Based on what you learned from this story, would you say

God's forgiveness of us is limited or unlimited? conditional

or unconditional? How about our forgiveness of others?

Why do you think Jesus wants us to forgive others for the

wrongs they have done for us? What are the alternatives

practiced by people who do not forgive? What effects does

not practicing forgiveness have on our lives?

Describe the type of person you think needs to hear this

story the most.

What are some practical examples of situations in modern life

where we can put forgiveness into practice.

Closing: Ask for any thoughts or questions on what Jesus

said about forgiveness. Close with a prayer asking for help

in forgiving other people as he forgives us.

Copyright Information:
Several questions in this study were taken from the Serendipity New Testament for Groups, InterVarsity, 1987.