1. What does Jesus say about being "great" in vv. 1-5?
2. What does Jesus say about causing a believer to stumble?
3. What does Jesus say about the one and the ninety-nine? Briefly explain this.
4. Jesus outlines a three stage approach for handling sin among believers (vv. 15-20). Briefly outline this process.
5. What well-known promise does Jesus give in v. 20?
6. What does Jesus teach about forgiveness in vv. 21-22?
7. Briefly summarize The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (vv. 21-35).
8. The final verse of this chapter is an important one: "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart." We should not overlook this last little bit, "from your heart." This keeps us from some sort of cheap, half-hearted offer of forgiveness - especially given the extent to which God has forgiven us, and the extraordinary price he paid.
Why do you/we often find it difficult to forgive people? Do you have ideas or "pro tips" for better managing this area of your life?
We could divide this chapter into three parts: like a child, a wandering sheep, and forgiveness. Each of these, interestingly, corresponds to heavenly reality.
(1) Becoming like a child and priority (greatness) in the kingdom of heaven - and the seriousness about causing someone to stumble and the seriousness of personal sin.
(2) Our heavenly father not wanting a single one to perish - and the celebration when a (or "the") lost one is found.
(3) Binding and loosening on earth and heaven (v. 18), and forgiveness from God as illustrated in the parable.
This material is very practical (i.e. it can and should be followed), but also it is deeply vested with spiritual and eternal meaning. This is the tension within the Christian life: on one level, very practical (e.g. how to forgive); on another level, eternal realities, heaven and hell.
This perspective, hopefully, can keep us from becoming too preoccupied and overvaluing the things of life; while, at the same time, keep us from neglecting daily duties and responsibilities. Losing that tension would result in one error or the other.
Let me clarify in two ways.
First, Jesus himself was practical: eating, traveling, sleeping, spending time with people, praying. And also he would address the most profound and spiritual matters of life.
Second, in our lives, we bring the perspective of heaven, as God helps us, in every area. This is why we pray: on earth as it is in heaven. Perhaps this is most obvious in how we treat people.
May we see more of heaven in our decision making, and in how we treat and love people (especially forgiveness), as we anticipate one day being fully and completely there. Literally, in heaven. What a day that will be!