Sunday School Lesson August 21, 2022
Subject: Forgive Your Neighbor
The Point: Love leads us to forgive.
The Passages: Matthew 18:21-35
Study The Bible: Matthew 18:21-22
1). Love forgives—and keeps forgiving.
- Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?”
- “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven.”
Lasting truths from: Matthew 18:21-22
* God’s love in our hearts leads us to forgive without limits.
* A believer should never harbor bitterness in their hearts.
* God’s forgiveness is conditioned upon repentance from sin and reception of Christ as Savior and Lord.
2). God extends forgiveness to us.
Matthew 18:23-27
- “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
- When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before him.
- Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt.
- “At this, the servant fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.’
- Then the master of that servant had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan.
Lasting truths from: Matthew 18:23-27
* Everyone is equally deserving of death for their sins.
* God graciously extends forgiveness to all.
* A believer’s heart should have no place for bitterness.
* We must receive God’s forgiveness before it applies to our account.
3). God expects us to forgive even as He has forgiven us.
Matthew 18:28-35
- “That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, ‘Pay what you owe!’
- “At this, his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
- But he wasn’t willing. Instead, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed.
- When the other servants saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened.
- Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
- Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’
- And because he was angry, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed.
- So also my heavenly Father will do you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart.”
Lasting truth from: Matthew 18:28-35
* God has provided forgiveness through the work of Christ.
* God’s forgiveness is vast and is not deserved.
* God expects us to forgive others as He has forgiven us.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- Are you sure that you have received God’s forgiveness? How do you know that you have?
- Can you think of those who have hurt you and offended you? Make a list of anyone God brings to mind.
- If anyone is on that list, pray to release any bitterness or anger toward them. Put them in God’s hands.
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”