How Can You Respond to the Injustices in the World?

STEP 1: Watch the Video  

STEP 2: Complete the Assignments

Today's Assignments

FORGIVENESS: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (v14)

IDENTIFICATION: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (v15)

ASSOCIATION: Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. (v16) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (v17-18)

COMMAND: “Don’t take your own revenge.” MEANING: “Personal retaliation is prohibited by God.”

Two reasons why personal retaliation is prohibited (v19-20)

1. Read the passage below slowly and then answer the questions that follow.

Matthew 18:21-35 NASB

21 Then Peter came up and said to Him, “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times. 23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 And when he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have the means to repay, his master commanded that he be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment be made. 26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27 And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30 But he was unwilling, and went and threw him in prison until he would pay back what was owed. 31 So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their master all that had happened. 32 Then summoning him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his master, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he would repay all that was owed him. 35 My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

2. How are the actions of forgiveness, identification and association demonstrated in Jesus’s parable? Are they interconnected? How?

3. Reread verse 35. It is clear that forgiveness is very important to God. How does forgiveness impact our relationship with God? Jesus tells us to forgive from the heart, what do you think that means?

4. Reflect on the unending forgiveness God has given you. Is there anyone you need to forgive?