The passage describes Jesus teaching his disciples about forgiveness. When Peter asks how many times he must forgive someone, Jesus says forgiveness must be unlimited - up to "seventy times seven". Jesus then tells a parable about a servant who was forgiven a huge debt by his master but refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him a small debt. The unforgiving servant was punished for his lack of mercy. Jesus' teachings emphasize that as those who have been forgiven much by God, his followers must in turn freely and generously forgive others.

1. Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how
many times shall I forgive my brother when he
sins against me? Up to seven times?’
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but
seventy-seven times.’
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2. Matthew 18:23-24
Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king
who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
As he began the settlement, a man who owed
him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
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3. Matthew 18:25-26
Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered
that he and his wife and his children and all that
he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant
fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with
me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
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4. Matthew 18:27-28
The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled
the debt and let him go. But when that servant
went out, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed
him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what
you owe me!’ he demanded.
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5. Matthew 18:29-30
His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged
him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you
back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and
had the man thrown into prison until he could
pay the debt.
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6. Matthew 18:31-32
When the other servants saw what had
happened, they were greatly distressed and
went and told their master everything that had
happened. Then the master called the servant
in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all
that debt of yours because you begged me to.
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7. Matthew 18:33-34
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow
servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his
master turned him over to the jailers to be
tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
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8. Matthew 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of
you unless you forgive your brother from your
heart.
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9. We are sinned against in many
ways including those whom
we least EXPECT it.

10. We are sinned against in many
ways including those whom
we least EXPECT it.
The reality of life is that we will inevitably be
HURT and cause hurt.

11. We are sinned against in many
ways including those whom
we least EXPECT it.
The reality of life is that we will inevitably be
HURT and cause hurt.
Forgiveness is hard and MISCONCEPTIONS of
what it is make people reluctant to forgive.

12. Forgiveness doesn’t
eliminate ACCOUNTABILITY
but leaves it with GOD.

13. Forgiveness doesn’t
eliminate ACCOUNTABILITY
but leaves it with GOD.
Forgiveness is about YOU not THEM

14. Forgiveness doesn’t
eliminate ACCOUNTABILITY
but leaves it with GOD.
Forgiveness is about YOU not THEM
Forgiveness isn’t that I have forgotten but that I
no longer have a BARRIER of HOSTILITY toward
you.

15. Forgiveness is not a feeling
but a CHOICE we make to
forgive.

16. Forgiveness is not a feeling
but a CHOICE we make to
forgive.
Forgiveness is ACCOUNTABILITY minus
HATEFULNESS and spitefulness.

17. Forgiveness is not a feeling
but a CHOICE we make to
forgive.
Forgiveness is ACCOUNTABILITY minus
HATEFULNESS and spitefulness.
Forgiveness is about HONORING God with our
attitudes.

18. We choose to FORGIVE
because we acknowledge
being FORGIVEN.

19. We choose to FORGIVE
because we acknowledge
being FORGIVEN.
The contrast highlights the MAGNITUDE of
God’s forgiveness so that we in turn EXTEND
forgiveness to others.

20. We choose to FORGIVE
because we acknowledge
being FORGIVEN.
“Our forgiveness begins as a response to our
being forgiven. It is not so much an act of
generosity toward our fellow offending human
beings as an act of gratitude toward our
forgiving God.” (Willimon and Hauerwaus)

21. We choose to FORGIVE
because we acknowledge
being FORGIVEN.
Forgiveness doesn’t START when I feel like it, but
with the choice to follow Jesus in all things,
including my hurts.

22. Please take a moment to fill out your
Communication Card
My Next Step Today is to:
( ) Do the home life help (in bulletin)
( ) Reflect on how I respond to those who “hurt”
me
( ) Meditate/study on the forgiveness of God
( ) Address any misperceptions I may have about
forgiveness
( ) Practice Biblical forgiveness
( ) Other________________________