Matthew 18:21-35

Click Here to read Matthew 18:21-35.

• What one word or idea stood out to you and why?
• What do you think Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of God/Heaven?

Ask your group to do as many pushups as they can. Now ask them to do 1,000 more pushups before the day is over.  

• What if you had to go to prison if you failed to do the pushups?
• How would it feel if we said you do not have to do any more pushups?
• Why do you think the unmerciful servant forgot how much he was forgiven?
• Are you a forgiving person? Do you hold grudges? 

Back in the time of Jesus one ‘talent’ was worth 15-20 years of what a regular person would make in a year. So 10,000 talents was A LOT of money. More than the unmerciful servant could ever pay back on his own. Some believe it would be worth billions of dollars in today’s money. 

Jesus uses this clear example to show that God has forgiven us A LOT. When we say things like, “I’m not that bad.” “I’m better than that person.” “At least I haven’t…” We say these things to make ourselves feel better. However, we ALL deeply depend on God’s forgiveness. We are all in his debt. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Just as it was silly for the servant to forget how much of his debt was forgiven, we should not forget how much we have been forgiven. 

When we understand how much we have been forgiven, a Kingdom seed is planted in our heart. That Kingdom seed is the idea that if I have been forgiven a lot, I should forgive others really easily. Is it hard for you to forgive people? Who is hardest in your life to forgive? If it is hard for you to forgive people, maybe you do not realize how much God has forgiven you.