Note to the Teacher

This week we pose the question: “How many times must we forgive?” The question is asked because we know that we are supposed to forgive. It’s part of who God made us to be; yet we also know that it is one of the hardest things we are asked to do as a people who follow Christ. It’s especially difficult in a world where everything is portrayed as “us versus them,” and we shouldn’t forgive or forget. This conversation can be hard, but understanding what it means to forgive is extremely important.

1. Icebreaker (10 minutes)

“Would You Rather” is a fun game where people must pick between two options of what they would rather do. Below are some “Would you rather?” questions, but the second choice is always to forgive someone for something they did.

“Would You Rather: Forgiveness Edition” - Invite students to respond to the questions below:

Would you rather eat a scorpion or forgive someone who talks behind your back?
Would you rather jump off a cliff or forgive someone who talks behind your back?
Would you rather clean your room from top to bottom, including giving away things you don’t use, or forgive someone who talks behind your back?
Would you rather go to the dentist or forgive someone who talks behind your back?
Would you rather eat only bananas for life or forgive someone who talks behind your back?

2. Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Our Scripture today talks about the need to forgive in a world where forgiveness is not what is expected or required. Peter asks: How many times must I forgive? Jesus responds that we need to forgive more times than we can count. We need to forgive infinitely because God calls us to do that when God says we must love everyone. It also shows us that others are working to forgive us, and, in turn, we must offer grace, mercy and forgiveness to them.

Read Matthew 18.21-35

3. Discussion (15 minutes)

Based on this passage, how many times should we forgive? What do you think it actually mean to forgive?
How does the act of forgiving feel similar or different from the act of being forgiven?
How is forgiveness different or deeper than simply saying, “I’m sorry”?
Jesus shares the parable of the king and his need to settle his accounts with his servants. What does that story try to teach about receiving grace and mercy from others?
What does it mean to show grace and mercy to others?
What does it mean to forgive someone from your heart? How is that different from forgiving only in actions or words?
Even when we forgive, does a remnant of what has happened remain within us?
How do we live in such a way that we forgive and allow what has happened to continue to shape and form us into who God created us to be?

4. Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

Forgiveness is hard, but Jesus says we should forgive over and over and over again. These balloons represent the things we need to forgive. Sometimes, we work really hard to keep others from forgiving us, just as we are trying to remember to forgive others.

Divide the students into two equal teams. Give everyone a balloon; each team has a different color balloon. On the balloons, have them write things that they frequently have to forgive others for or ask to be forgiven for.

Once they have written on the balloon, have them blow up the balloon and tie it. Then give each student a pushpin or thumbtack. Students must then work to keep their team’s balloons in the air, while popping the balloons of the other team. The game ends when one team has popped all the other team’s balloons.

Close in the manner that is typical for you. Consider listing joys/concerns from the students; then ask for a volunteer to close in prayer.

Total time: 50 minutes