Limitless Forgiveness?
Series: Kingdom Stories for Everyday Life
Scripture: Matthew 18:15-34

Tim Keller points out 3 models of forgiveness that our world operates on:
1. A pressure to _______________________ forgive. = _________ grace
2. A pressure to _______________________ forgive. = _________ Grace
3. A pressure to _______________________ forgive. = _________ Grace

Jesus is instructing us that our capacity for _________________ must be as unlimited as the human capacity for ________________.
• Genesis 4

Scene One (vv23-27):
• Forgiveness _____________ involves a “_____________ _________.”
• The obvious lesson: the ___________________ of God’s grace.

Scene Two (vv28-30):
• The obvious lesson: the _______________ of our ______________ to forgive.

Scene Three (vv31-34):
• “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (v33)
• How is it that we can think _______________ is only for the _______________ and not for the _______________?

Four Components of Forgiveness (from Tim Keller)
1. ___________ the ____________ truthfully as wrong and punishable.
2. _______________ with the perpetrator as a fellow __________ rather than thinking how different from you he or she is.
3. ______________ the wrongdoer from _____________ by absorbing the debt rather than seeking _________________.
4. _________ for ___________________ rather than breaking off the relationship forever.

Our model of forgiveness: ___________________ grace

TALK IT OVER

Start talking.
• When you hear the word forgiveness, what emotions or reactions immediately surface?
• Which of the three cultural models (cheap grace, little grace, no grace) do you see most often today?
• Why do you think forgiveness feels so difficult in our world right now?

Start thinking:
• Why do you think Peter thought seven times was generous? What does Jesus’ response reveal about the nature of forgiveness?
• The first servant was forgiven an unimaginable debt. What does that represent spiritually?
• Why is the servant’s refusal to forgive such a shocking turn in the story?
• What does this parable teach us about the connection between receiving mercy and giving mercy?
• Why is forgiveness described as costly?

Start Sharing:
• Is there someone you’ve struggled to forgive? What has made it difficult?
• Which part of forgiveness is hardest for you: Naming the wrong truthfully? Identifying with the offender as a fellow sinner? Releasing the debt? Moving toward reconciliation (when possible)?
• Have you ever experienced “the Big Relief” of being forgiven? How did that shape you?
• Do you tend to minimize wrongs (cheap grace) or make people earn mercy (little grace)?

Start Praying:
• Ask God to show you where bitterness or scorekeeping may still linger.
• Thank Him specifically for the debt He has canceled in your life.
• Pray for the strength to absorb hurt rather than repay it.
• Pray for wisdom where reconciliation may be complicated or unsafe.

Start Doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week
• Identify one step toward forgiveness you can take this week (a prayer, a conversation, releasing resentment).
• Stop rehearsing the offense — and start rehearsing the grace you’ve received.
• If appropriate and safe, move one step toward reconciliation.
• Memorize or meditate on Psalm 32:1–2 as a reminder of the joy of forgiven sin.