1© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Grades (K)1–2

Exod. 14:19–31Ps. 114 Rom. 14:1–12Matt. 18:21–35

Children will discover that Jesus wants us to forgive one another again and again.

Goal for the Session

How Many Times?

September 11, 2011 Proper 19

n P R E P A R I N G F O R T H E S E S S I O N

Focus on Matthew 18:21–35

WHAT is important to know? — From “Exegetical Perspective,” Lewis R. Donelson

Peter’s suggestion that he must forgive up to seven times is not an attempt to place a limit on forgiveness. In fact, since seven is a holy number, Peter is probably asking something like, “Must I practice perfect forgiveness?” To which Jesus responds, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times” (v. 22). While the exact number is not clear in the Greek, the point of the number is. Your forgiveness must be beyond perfect; it must be beyond counting. The parable places human forgiveness in the context of divine forgiveness and divine punishment.

WHERE is God in these words? — From “Theological Perspective,” Kathryn D. Blanchard

This parable is a reminder of the high value Matthew’s Jesus places on forgiveness, particularly among his followers. The church is meant to be a uniquely forgiving people, a people of humility and repentance. Hearers of this parable must not place themselves in the judgment seat of the king who forgives, but rather in the hot seat of the unworthy servant who is forgiven. In any reading of this text, the theological tenet that God’s “default” stance toward the penitent is one of mercy must lead to the conviction that God’s people are those who likewise practice mercy—willingly, concretely, and as a communal way of life.

SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? — From “Pastoral Perspective,” Charlotte Dudley Cleghorn

Although Peter’s question is directed toward others within the church, those with whom there is a bond through the Spirit of God, the area of forgiveness is one that weighs heavily upon people of faith in all areas of their lives as they seek to live in a way that is faithful to Jesus’ life and teaching. Jesus speaks to the necessity of forgiveness because he knows the effects unforgiveness has on individuals and communities. There are so many situations within our society that, when not dealt with, can sow the seeds of bitterness and fester into deep, painful wounds. NOW WHAT is God’s word calling us to do? — From “Homiletical Perspective,” Charles L. Campbell

The forgiveness spoken of by Jesus in this passage is set within the communal process outlined in Matthew 18:15–20—a process that includes naming the sin, the repentance of the sinner, and where necessary, the communal support of the victim. It is a challenging process that does not minimize the sin and that provides resources to support and empower the one who has been sinned against. Only within this process does Jesus call us to forgive other church members countless times. The forgiveness Jesus calls for is inseparable from truth telling and accountability within the church.

2© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Grades (K)1–2

How Many Times?

FOCUS SCRIPTUREMatt. 18:21–35

Focus on Your Teaching

Young children are still learning how to live and work together as a group and may fight over toys and games, winning and losing. They can hold grudges over small things and need to be encouraged to forgive one another. Engaging their imaginations with Jesus’ story of the king and his servants will help them glimpse the importance of forgiveness. We are called to forgive others in response to God’s radical generosity toward us.

God, when forgiveness is hard and I prefer to stay angry, help me to be more like you. Be with me and the children you have placed in my care, helping us grow in love for one another as we grow in understanding your ways. Amen.

n L E A D I N G T H E S E S S I O N

GATHERINGBefore the children arrive, prepare one small bag with seventy-seven objects (such as beads, pennies, popcorn kernels, or gravel) for each pair of children. Place an empty glass bowl in the center of your meeting space and prepare small glasses of colored water, one for each person—blue in half the glasses and yellow in the others. Arrange the name tags on the table or rug.

Greet the children as they arrive and help them find their name tags, taking a moment to visit with each child.

Gather around the empty bowl. Invite children to take turns pouring a glass of water into the bowl as they tell the group about one good thing that happened to them this week. Begin by pouring in a cup of water and telling something good that happened to you. Afterward, point out that green is the church color for this time of year.

As learned on September 4, join together in saying the opening verse (Matthew 18:20):Teacher: Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name,”Children: “I am there among them.”

Invite learners to pray with you, repeating each line:God of love, (Clasp hands over heart.)Be with us today. (Raise both arms over head in a sweeping motion.)Guide our learning (Pretend to hold a book.)And what we do and say. (Shake hands with person on your right.)Amen. (Fold hands in prayer.)

YOU WILL NEEDo clear glass bowl

o water

o blue and yellow food

coloring

o juice glasses

o Bible

o Resource Sheet 1

o Color Pack 2, 3, 4

o small bag with 77

objects for each pair

of children

o basket of small stones

For Responding

o option 1: air-dry clay,

cut-glass dish with

design on bottom,

waxed paper

o option 2: kitchen

timer, copies of

Resource Sheet 2,

crayons

o option 3: Singing

the Feast, vol. 1, CD

player

Prepare several blank name tags (see September 4, p. 2) so that children who weren’t present last week can make name tags.

3© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Grades (K)1–2

How Many Times?

EXPLORINGShow Color Pack 2, a picture of Jesus talking to a group of people. Point out that Jesus is sitting down, and explain that this is what teachers did in Jesus’ time. Today teachers often stand up when they are teaching. Ask the children to think about the teachers in their school. Do they stand or sit when they are teaching?

Holding your Bible, tell the children that the Bible story today is from the book of Matthew in the Bible. Read aloud the Bible story from Resource Sheet 1 (Matthew 18:21–35). This telling of the story will be easier for learners to understand than the version in most Bibles, and it includes activities to help children learn about the story.

After you have completed the story and activities on the resource sheet, wonder together:P Why did the king forgive the servant at the beginning of the story? P Why did the king punish the servant at the end of the story?

Show Color Pack 4. Invite children to make up a story about each of the photos. Discuss:P When have you forgiven someone for saying or doing something that hurt you? How

did it feel to forgive this person?P When has someone forgiven you for something you did or said to hurt her or him?

How does it feel to be forgiven by someone?

Wrap up Exploring by reminding learners that when we ask, God forgives us! Because we know God will forgive us over and over again, we can forgive others. Ask:P What do we learn from Jesus about how often to forgive?

RESPONDING Mark the activities you will use.1. Clay Coins Making coins, or “talents,” is a fun way to remember this story. Demonstrate

how to form a ball of air-dry clay about the size of a donut hole, press it into a round, thick “coin” on a piece of waxed paper, and then use the bottom of a cut-glass dish or another carved object to make a print in the clay. Work together to make many of these talents, and leave them in a safe place to dry. These can be used next week to help you tell Jesus’ parable of the laborers in the vineyard.

Recipe for Homemade Clay: Mix 1 cup corn starch, 1¼ cups cold water, and 2 cups

baking soda in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat for about 5 minutes. It will be lumpy. Put the clay on a tray and cover it with a damp cloth to cool. When it is cool enough to work with, knead it until smooth. Store in an airtight container.

2. How Many Times Reinforce Jesus’ teaching about forgiving seventy-seven times. Young children love to see how quickly they can do things. Form pairs. One child will say, “I’m sorry.” The other will say, “I forgive you.” Set the timer for one minute, and have the

EASY PREP

Take care not to imply that forgiveness removes consequences, especially in situations of abuse. Review Matthew 18:15–17 for how to confront someone who has caused harm in word or in action. Caring adults need to help children with this kind of confrontation.

4© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Grades (K)1–2

How Many Times?

class count how many times each pair can say “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” in one minute. Continue until every pair has had a turn. Wonder together how many minutes it would take to forgive someone seventy-seven times. Although it is a silly game, it will remind the children to forgive others again and again.

Give each a child a copy of Resource Sheet 2 (77 Times). Read the instructions together,

then allow time for children to complete the puzzle. After they have finished, ask: How many times did Jesus say to forgive? If they answer hesitantly, encourage them to shout “seventy-seven times!” (When the puzzle is completed, the 7s create a heart and the 77s spell “forgive.”)

3. Sing Hallelujah Because God forgives us more than we could ever earn or deserve, we have reason to celebrate. Play “Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord” (track 23 on Singing the Feast, vol. 1). Form two groups, designating one as “Kings” and the other as “Servants.” Have the Kings move to one side of the room, and the Servants to the other. Have the Kings stand and sing the first line (“Hallelu, hallelu . . .”), and then sit down while the Servants stand up and sing “Praise ye the Lord.” Alternate standing and singing throughout the song. As time allows, have groups switch lines and sing again.

CLOSINGGather around the bowl of water from Gathering. Invite learners to say one thing they learned about forgiveness today.

Pass the basket and ask each child to take a stone. Ask each child to think of a person that he or she wants to forgive. Reminding learners that Jesus has promised to be with you as you learn and as you pray, demonstrate dropping a stone into the bowl as you say: “Loving God, please help me to forgive (you may choose to say a name here).” Invite the children to do the same. Some children may want drop their stones in silence. Close with this prayer:

We thank you, God, for forgiving us. Please help us to forgive one another. Amen.

Exchange a handshake or high-five with each learner as the group departs, saying, “God bless you!” Tell them you hope to see them again next Sunday. Remove the stones from the water for use in upcoming sessions.

Hallelujah! Praise Ye the Lord!Hal - le - lu, hal - le - lu,

hal - le - lu, hal - le - lu - jah!

Praise ye the Lord!Hal - le - lu, hal - le - lu,

hal - le - lu, hal - le - lu - jah!

Praise ye the Lord!Praise ye the Lord! Hallelujah!Praise ye the Lord! Hallelujah!Praise ye the Lord! Hallelujah!Praise ye the Lord!

© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Grades (K)1–2

Matthew 18:21–35

Grades (K)1–2Resource Sheet 1

September 11, 2011

Begin the story:Peter wondered how many times he should forgive someone who says or does something to hurt him. He asked Jesus if forgiving a person seven times was enough.

• Ask: Do you think seven is enough times to forgive someone? Why or why not?

Continue the story:Jesus told Peter that forgiving seven times is not enough.

• Form pairs and hand out the bags of 77 things. Say, “Let’s find out how many times Jesus told Peter to forgive.” Have learners count the items in their bags and report the number to the class. (Some may not count them perfectly, and that’s OK.)

Continue the story:Yes, Jesus tells Peter to forgive 77 times. Jesus is saying that God’s people are to forgive over and over again, more times than we can count.

Jesus tells a story to help Peter understand. Jesus says that God’s way of living is like a king who had a servant who owed him 10,000 talents. (Show Color Pack 3.) In Jesus’ day, a talent was worth about 5,000 of these coins; 10,000 talents would have been 50,000,000 coins!

The servant could not pay the king what he owed, so the king ordered the servant and his family to be sold as slaves. But the servant fell on his knees and begged the king: “Please be patient with me, and I will repay everything. Please!”

Well, the king felt sorry for the servant, and told him he did not have to pay him back—ever!

• Ask: What do you think that servant did?

Continue the story:Later, this same servant met a friend who owed him 100 coins. He shouted, “Pay me what you owe!” His friend begged, “Please be patient with me, and I will repay everything. Please!” But the servant had the police throw his friend in prison.

The other servants were upset about this, and they told the king. The king called for the servant and said, “You are a sinful man! When you begged for mercy, I forgave your debt—you did not have to pay back a single coin! Why won’t you forgive your friend, as I forgave you?” The king was so angry that he threw the servant into prison.

• Ask: What is Jesus teaching in this story of the king and servant?

© 2011 Westminster John Knox Press. Grades (K)1–2

Choose two colors. Color all the spaces that have a “7” in one color. Color all the spaces that have a “77” in the other color. What does this puzzle help you remember about Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:21–35?

77 Times

Grades (K)1–2Resource Sheet 2

September 11, 2011