INTRODUCTION

Forgiveness is the act of failing to revenge when the opportunity comes. It also means to overlook a wrong that has been done. The summary of today’s lesson is that forgiveness is not just a one - way action from God to a repentant sinner; it involves the whole community of God’s people, their ability to forgive one another, notwithstanding the number of times. Therefore we are expected to forgive and not act like the servant who received forgiveness, yet failed to forgive his offender.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A. A Servant Receives Forgiveness (Matthew 18: 25- 30)
The issue of forgiveness is one of the hard teachings people find difficult to practice, even Christians. Some people who have been seriously hurt sometimes find it difficult to forgive. Instead, they prefer to revenge whenever they have the opportunity to do so and even wish their enemies dead. Peter knew the importance of forgiveness but possibly felt that there must be limit, thus he asked the number of times forgiveness could be granted. God forgives whenever we sin against Him. In the same vein, God expects Christians to forgive one another because they have also received forgiveness from Him.

DISCUSSSION TIME

1. How do we explain the action of some individuals, including Christians who find it difficult to forgive, even after they have enjoyed forgiveness for their trespass /trespasses?

B. Consequences of Unforgiveness (Matthew 18:32-35)
The other servants were enraged and furious at the inconsistent behaviour of their unforgiving colleague. They displayed righteous anger. He was then sent to jail till his debt was paid. God is the King- all His servants have been weighed down with a great debt of sin and have been unable to pay. In wonderful grace and mercy, the Lord paid the debt and granted full and free forgiveness.

DISCUSSION TIME

1. Based on today’s lesson, is it necessary to be begged by our offenders before we forgive them or should we forgive whether or not we are begged?

Points to Note from the Lesson
* Christians should forgive their offenders, irrespective of the number of times they have been offended.
* Unforgiveness is an indication of an uncircumcised heart.
* The punishment for unforgiveness is banishment from God’s presence.

Memory Verse:

Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? (Matthew 18:33)