The Risk of Unforgiveness

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 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. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 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.' So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 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. Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from his heart. (Matthew 18:23-35)

1. The King and the Servant

In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus tells a story about a servant who owed the king ten thousand talents—way more than he could ever pay. The king completely forgave the huge debt, but that same servant would not forgive a friend who owed him just a tiny amount. Have you ever been given a big second chance—maybe by a parent, teacher, or God—but then refused to let go of something small that a friend or sibling did to you? Why do you think we sometimes hang on to little hurts after we have been forgiven big ones?

2. How Big Is Your Forgiveness?

The sermon said that when we really understand how much God has forgiven us, forgiving others starts to flow out of our hearts instead of feeling like a chore. What are two or three things you can do to remind yourself of how huge God's forgiveness is—especially on a day when you feel really mad at someone?

3. Forgiven Much, Loves Much

Jesus told another story about a woman who understood how much she had been forgiven. Read what He said:

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. (Luke 7:47)

How does remembering that God has forgiven you help you love Him more? How can that love show up in the way you treat a friend or family member when they mess up?

4. Mercy Like God's

The sermon said that God wants us to be like Him: to have mercy because He has mercy. Think about someone at school or home who keeps doing the same annoying thing to you. What would it actually look like for you to show mercy to them the way God shows mercy to you?

5. A Heart That Forgives

At the end of the parable, the king punished the servant because he refused to forgive. Jesus warns that this is how our heavenly Father will treat us if we do not forgive others from our hearts. Why do you think refusing to forgive is such a serious problem? When you do not feel like forgiving, how can asking God for help actually change your heart?