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Lesson Five
The Parable of
the Unforgiving Servant
Introduction
What would you do if someone came to you today and told you that he had paid all your debts? How likely is that to happen?
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Selected reading
Matthew 18:21-35
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Note: The Jewish religious leaders taught that Jews should forgive those who offend them up to three times; they need not forgive a fourth offense. Peter, thinking he was being extremely generous, asked Jesus whether forgiving someone seven times was enough.
【Mat18:21】 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?'
那时彼得进前来，对耶稣说，主阿，我弟兄得罪我，我当饶恕他几次呢？到七次可以吗？
【Mat18:22】 Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
耶稣说，我对你说，不是到七次，乃是到七十个七次。
【Mat18:23】 'Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
天国好像一个王，要和他仆人算账。
【Mat18:24】 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
才算的时候，有人带了一个欠一千万银子的来。
【Mat18:25】 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.
因为他没有什么偿还之物，主人吩咐把他和他妻子儿女，并一切所有的都卖了偿还。
【Mat18:26】 'The servant fell on his knees before him. `Be patient with me,' he begged, `and I will pay back everything.'
那仆人就俯伏拜他说，主阿，宽容我，将来我都要还清。
【Mat18:27】 The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
那仆人的主人，就动了慈心，把他释放了，并且免了他的债。
【Mat18:28】 '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.
那仆人出来，遇见他的一个同伴，欠他十两银子，便揪着他，掐住他的喉咙，说，你把所欠的还我。
【Mat18:29】 'His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, `Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
他的同伴就俯伏央求他，说，宽容我吧，将来我必还清。
【Mat18:30】 'But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
他不肯，竟去把他下在监里，等他还了所欠的债。
【Mat18:31】 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
众同伴看见他所作的事，就甚忧愁，去把这事都告诉了主人。
【Mat18:32】 'Then the master called the servant in. `You wicked servant,' he said, `I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
于是主人叫了他来，对他说，你这恶奴才，你央求我，我就把你所欠的都免了。
【Mat18:33】 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'
你不应当怜恤你的同伴像我怜恤你吗？
【Mat18:34】 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
主人就大怒，把他交给掌刑的，等他还清了所欠的债。
【Mat18:35】 'This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.'
你们各人若不从心里饶恕你的弟兄，我天父也要这样待你们了。
Questions for discussion
1. How did Jesus respond to Peter’s question? (Matthew 18:21-22)
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2. When the servant couldn’t pay the king, what arrangements did the king make so that the man could pay his debts? (Matthew 18:25)
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3. What caused the king to change his mind? (Matthew 18:26-27)
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4. What did the servant do after the king let him go? (Matthew 18:28-30)
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5. Why did the other servants tell the king about what had happened? (Matthew 18:31)
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6. What did the king tell the servant he should have done to his fellow-servant? (Matthew 18:32-33)
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7. What did the king do to the unforgiving servant? (Matthew 18:34)
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A time to reflect
1. Why do you think Jesus wants us to forgive others?
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2. Is it easy for you to forgive others? Why or why not?
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3. Is there anyone you need to forgive right now?
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作者：ysp 
日期: 2008-08-20 
阅读: 291 
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