By Ariel
Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Forgiveness — a gift we’re called to share shows up in Jesus’ answer about “seventy times seven.”
- Grace flows first from God, then through families into everyday moments.
- Mercy mends trust faster than payback ever could.
- Boundaries stay wise; bitterness doesn’t.
Hi friends! Ariel here 💛 Today I want to tell you about a story that totally opened my heart—it’s from Matthew 18:21–35, and it’s called The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. My family and I talked about it around our dinner table, and let me tell you—it made me think about forgiveness in a whole new way!
This story starts with a servant who owed his king a ginormous amount of money. Like… the kind of money you’d need a million piggy banks to hold! But instead of punishing him, the king did something unbelievable—he forgave the whole debt. Just like that!
But then something really sad happens. That same servant finds someone who owes him just a teeny-tiny bit. And instead of being kind and forgiving like the king was to him, he gets super angry and demands to be paid back right away. Can you imagine? He forgot all about the mercy he had just received.
When I heard this, I felt a little jolt in my heart. It reminded me that forgiveness is a gift we’ve all been given by God, and He wants us to share that gift with others too. It’s not always easy—sometimes forgiving feels like the hardest thing ever—but it’s also one of the most beautiful things we can do to live like Jesus.
Download the Family Study PDF
Kid-friendly flow, Scripture prompts, journaling space, and a simple family activity.
Download PDFSo come with me as we explore this powerful parable together! Let’s think about what it means to truly forgive, how it sets our hearts free, and how we can reflect God’s grace every day. 💫
Are you ready? Let’s jump in!
TL;DR
Jesus invites hearts to forgive freely because God first forgave us. Families practicing mercy grow resilient, joyful bonds that mirror heaven’s grace.
🧮 How Many Times Should We Forgive?
When we opened our Bibles to Matthew 18:21–22, something wild happened. Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, asked a big question:
“Lord, how many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
I blinked. “Seven? That’s kind of random,” I said.
So I asked Daddy, “Why seven?”
He smiled and explained, “Back then, seven was seen as a super generous number. Peter probably thought he was going above and beyond!”
But Jesus had a surprise answer. He said,
“Not seven times… but seventy times seven!”
That’s 490 times!
Alice nearly dropped Mr. Fluffernutter. “That’s SO many! Who can even count that high without a calculator?!”
Yaya chuckled and leaned in. “That’s the point, sweetie. Forgiveness isn’t about keeping score. Jesus was saying we shouldn’t track how many times we forgive—we should forgive like God forgives us… endlessly.”
I let that sink in. If we kept count every time someone hurt our feelings, we’d probably run out of space in our notebooks! Forgiveness isn’t just a number—it’s a heart thing. It’s about choosing love instead of keeping tallies.
Yaya added something I’ll never forget:
“Real forgiveness is freedom. It lets go of grudges and makes space for peace and healing.”
That hit me deep. Jesus wasn’t just giving Peter a math problem—He was giving us a new way to live. One where we don’t hold onto anger, and instead, we let God’s mercy shine through us.
Fun Fact
“Seventy times seven” speaks more about a forgiving lifestyle than a tally sheet.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Does forgiving mean pretending nothing happened?
Forgiving heals hearts; wise boundaries still protect trust while restoration grows.
📖 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Okay, get ready—because this story that Jesus told is a big one! It’s all about mercy, second chances, and what happens when we forget how much we’ve been forgiven.
Jesus described a king who decided it was time to settle debts with his servants. One servant was in huge trouble. He owed the king—wait for it—ten thousand talents! That’s like… a gazillion dollars! 🪙🪙🪙
Alice’s eyes got super wide. “That’s more money than Mr. Fluffernutter could ever carry in his tiny bunny paws!”
Exactly. There was no way this servant could pay it back. So he fell on his knees and begged the king, “Please! Just give me more time! I promise I’ll repay it!”
Daddy paused as he read the story to us. “But instead of giving him more time, the king did something even better. He forgave everything. Every single coin.”
“Whoa,” I whispered. “That’s like hitting the ‘delete’ button on a mountain of debt!”
Can you imagine how that servant must have felt? He was free! No more stress, no more fear—just a brand-new start. 🎉
But here’s where things get twisty…
That very same servant walked out of the palace and found another servant who owed him a teeny-tiny amount—just a hundred pence. That’s like a few bucks. Maybe the cost of an ice cream sundae!
Instead of showing kindness, he grabbed the guy and shouted, “Pay me what you owe!”
Even though the second servant begged with the same words—“Please! Give me more time!”—he refused to listen. He tossed the poor guy into prison.
“That’s not fair!” Alice blurted out. “He just got forgiven a TON!”
I felt the same way. It was so wrong. He had just been shown amazing mercy… and totally forgot to pass it on.
When the king found out, he was not happy. He called the first servant back and said,
“Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your friend, just like I had mercy on you?” (Matthew 18:33)
That question hit me hard. Forgiveness is a gift—and we’re meant to share it.
The king was firm. Because the servant didn’t show mercy, he was sent to prison. It was a tough ending, but one that made me think:
God’s forgiveness is huge, and He wants us to live with that same kindness toward others.
Jesus’ story helps us ask some important questions:
- Do I hold grudges?
- Am I quick to forgive or quick to get mad?
- Do I remember how much God has forgiven me?
This parable reminds us that we don’t just receive grace—we’re called to give it. And that kind of forgiveness? It changes lives. 💖 (This parable reminds us that we don’t just receive grace—we’re called to give it.)
Try This: Paper Chain of Mercy
Cut paper strips; write situations that need forgiveness on each link; pray and link them into a mercy chain. Break a link when reconciliation happens.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Why does Jesus use a money story to teach mercy?
Debts feel tangible; mercy turns heavy numbers into restored friendship.
💡 A Lesson for All of Us
At the end of His parable, Jesus didn’t just tell a story—He gave us a powerful truth to live by:
“So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35)
That sounded super serious, so I turned to Yaya and asked, “Why does Jesus make forgiveness such a big deal?”
She looked thoughtful and said, “Because forgiveness is the heart of God’s love. When we forgive, we’re not just helping others—we’re also freeing ourselves from heavy feelings like anger and sadness.”
Alice, hugging Mr. Fluffernutter, added in her softest voice, “It’s like letting go of a big, spiky backpack full of bad feelings. Forgiving makes your heart feel lighter.”
Forgiveness isn’t just about saying, ‘It’s okay.’ It’s about showing God’s grace—just like He forgives us every single day, as seen in powerful Bible verses on forgiveness like those collected at Bible Study Tools. 🌈
🌟 Forgiving Like Jesus
Yaya explained that when we forgive, we’re actually choosing to love like Jesus. It’s not always easy (especially when someone is really mean), but every time we forgive, we’re saying,
“I want to be like Jesus more than I want to stay mad.”
Alice nodded. “So it’s not just about forgetting what happened. It’s about sharing the love God gave us.”
That’s when it clicked for me. Forgiveness isn’t a one-time thing—it’s something we have to choose again and again. Like when someone doesn’t say sorry… or breaks your favorite pen… or doesn’t include you in a game. Oof.
But when we choose to forgive anyway, we’re planting seeds of peace. We’re building a world with more kindness and less hurt.
🧠 Forgiveness Is Good for Your Heart and Your Head!
Yaya also told us something super interesting: holding onto anger can actually make us feel more stressed or sad, which health experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine confirm as they explain how forgiveness lowers heart disease risk and improves sleep. But when we forgive, it’s like opening a window and letting the fresh air in.
“You don’t have to say what they did was okay,” she said. “But you do choose to let go of the heavy stuff and let God’s love fill your heart.”
I loved that.
So here’s the truth:
- Forgiveness helps us grow.
- Forgiveness brings healing.
- Forgiveness makes space for joy.
- And forgiveness lets us shine like Jesus.
🌍 Let’s Be Forgivers!
Whether it’s your sister borrowing your hoodie without asking (again) or a friend hurting your feelings, forgiveness is always an option. It might take time, and that’s okay. But every time we forgive, we’re building something beautiful—a life filled with love, peace, and God’s amazing grace.
Let’s be people who forgive from the heart. 💖
Fun Fact
Early listeners knew prison for debt meant cut-off community; Jesus points toward community restored through mercy.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
What if someone keeps hurting me?
Forgive from the heart; seek wise help; set safe boundaries; invite change over time.
💖 Living with a Forgiving Heart
This story really got me thinking… what if we all chose to live with forgiving hearts? Forgiveness isn’t just something we do once—it’s a way of life. It helps us breathe lighter, love bigger, and shine brighter! ✨
Here are some ways you and I can practice forgiveness every day:
🕊️ Practice Patience
Let’s be real—people mess up. (I do. Alice does. Even grown-ups do!) The next time someone makes a mistake, try this:
Take a deep breath.
Count to three.
Now choose kindness over yelling or storming off.
Forgiveness often begins when we pause and try to see things from the other person’s side. Maybe they were having a rough day. Maybe it was an accident. Giving others the benefit of the doubt can totally change how we feel inside—and make room for peace instead of pouty faces.
🧼 Let Go of Grudges
Grudges are kind of like invisible backpacks filled with angry rocks. Heavy, right? 😣
When we hold onto hurt feelings, it just slows us down and makes our hearts tired. But when we forgive, it’s like dumping out that heavy pack and dancing in the sunshine again. ☀️🎒
Try this: If someone hurt your feelings, write it down and then crumple the paper. Toss it into a “Let It Go” jar. Say, “God, help me forgive,” and then move forward with a lighter heart.
🪞Reflect God’s Grace
Has God forgiven you? (Spoiler: YES!) Then we can pass that grace on to others.
When I think about how many times I’ve messed up and still been loved—by God, my family, even Alice—I realize forgiveness is a gift that’s meant to be shared, not stored away.
So next time someone says sorry, be the kind of person who says, “I forgive you,” and really means it. That’s how we spread God’s love like confetti. 🎉💕
⛰️ Embrace the Forgiveness Journey
Let’s be honest—some hurts take time to heal. Forgiveness isn’t always a snap-your-fingers-and-feel-better kind of thing. Sometimes it’s a journey, like hiking up a tall mountain with lots of bumps and turns.
And guess what? That’s okay.
You don’t have to do it alone. Talk to someone you trust—your parents, Yaya, a teacher, or even your pastor. They can help you walk through the tough parts and remind you that choosing forgiveness makes you braver and stronger.
🌼 Grow a Grateful Heart
Want to know a secret? When you focus on the good things in your life, it gets way easier to forgive the not-so-great stuff.
Try this: At the end of the day, write down three things you’re thankful for. Gratitude is like watering the flowers in your heart—it helps kindness grow! 🌸
Fun Fact
Brain science loves mercy: repeated forgiving choices train calmer responses over time.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
How do we teach kids to make things right?
Model calm words, own mistakes, plan a simple repair step together, and pray.
💬 Final Thought from Me 💕
Wow—what an incredible story, right? The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant taught me so much about forgiveness and how powerful it really is. Jesus didn’t just tell this parable for fun—He wanted us to feel it deep in our hearts. 💗
God doesn’t just forgive us a little—He forgives everything, even the stuff we feel super guilty about. And when we understand that, it changes us! Forgiveness becomes more than just something we do—it becomes a way of living, a way of loving others the way God loves us. 💫
🧡 Forgiving Isn’t Always Easy…
Sometimes forgiving feels like climbing a mountain in roller skates. When someone really hurts us, we don’t want to let go. We want to hold on to our mad feelings because it feels fair. But here’s the truth Jesus showed us:
When we forgive, we set ourselves free too.
Anger and bitterness can feel like carrying around heavy, rusty chains. But forgiveness? It’s like breaking those chains and dancing in the sunshine again! ☀️🎉
🌎 Let’s Start a Forgiveness Ripple
Every time you choose to forgive, even for little things like a friend being mean or a sibling snapping at you, you’re creating a ripple of kindness that can spread to others. Like tossing a pebble into a pond, one small act of forgiveness can reach far and wide. 🌊
So let’s do it—let’s be the kids who lead with love, show mercy, and shine like Jesus in the way we treat others. 🕊️
📅 A New Chance Every Day
Every single day is a brand-new chance to forgive. To choose grace over grudges. To trade frustration for peace. To say,
“God, thank You for forgiving me—help me forgive others too.”
That’s the kind of heart I want to have. What about you?
With love, grace, and lots of hugs,
Ariel 💕
Keep Learning
Quick Check Quiz
Compare & Discern
| Approach | Goal | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Payback | Win | Fear, hiding |
| Ignore | Comfort | Hurt spreads |
| Mercy + Boundaries | Restoration | Repentance, healing, unity |
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Forgiveness | Choosing mercy over payback while seeking repair. |
| Repentance | Turning away from wrong toward God and repair. |
| Reconciliation | Relationship restored through truth, repair, and grace. |
| Boundary | Wise limit that protects trust and safety. |
References
| Citation | Link |
|---|---|
| Blogging4Adventure — Jesus’ Power Over Darkness | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — Always Ready: Ten Virgins | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — Sheep & Goats | Open |
| BibleGateway — Matthew 18:21–35 | Open |
| Enduring Word — Commentary on Matthew 18 | Open |
| GotQuestions — Unforgiving Servant | Open |
Recap & Next Step
Forgiveness: a gift we’re called to share — received from Jesus, passed to each other. Try the Paper Chain of Mercy, then journal one prayer for reconciliation this week.
Ariel — Kid Author & Faith Explorer
Homeschool writer at Blogging4Adventure, blending Bible study, science, and family activities. Posts reviewed by Mom & Dad for accuracy and safety; Scripture cross-checked with trusted tools.
FAQ
How does forgiveness help our family?
Mercy lowers defensiveness, speeds repair, and builds trust for future conflicts.
What if I don’t feel ready?
Pray first; take one small step; invite a trusted grown-up to help set boundaries.
Where does accountability fit?
Truth-telling and repair steps honor safety while forgiveness softens hearts.
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