LESSON 4.—JANUARY 25.—THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS
THE SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL SERIES
NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of "Christ's Object Lessons," should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of "Christ's Object Lessons" as apply to each lesson.
LESSON 4.—JANUARY 25.—THE PARABLE OF THE TWO DEBTORS.
21 "Then came Peter, and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; 23 but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would make a 24 reckoning with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, 25 his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshiped him, saying, Lord, 27 have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, 28 and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, 29 saying, Pay what thou owest. So his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will 30 pay thee. And he would not; but went and cast him into 31 prison, till he should pay that which was due. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord called him to him, and saith unto him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou 33 besoughtest me; shouldst not thou also have had mercy on thy 34 fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on thee? And his lord 35 was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. So shall also My Heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts."
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
By what question was this parable suggested? What was Christ's answer? See also Luke 17:3, 4.
What experience should cause every child of the kingdom to cultivate a forgiving spirit? Eph. 4:32; 1 John 4:11.
Unto what did Jesus liken the kingdom of heaven? What irregularity did the king discover in his household? How much did the servant owe? What was the king's sentence?
What did the servant do? How was his plea for mercy received?
What shows that the servant did not really appreciate the favor received? What plea did his fellow-servant make? How was the plea received?
How did the evil servant's course affect his relations with the king? What of the debt once freely forgiven?
Whom does the king in the parable represent? Who are represented by the servants? How do all men stand before God? Rom. 3:23. How only may the debt be canceled? Rom. 3:24, 25. With what declaration does Jesus close this parable?
What thought is to be associated with our daily prayer for forgiveness? Matt. 6:12; 5:23, 24.
Is this spirit to be cherished only when the one who has done the injury asks forgiveness? Luke 23:34; Rom. 5:8; Matt. 5:43-48.
What is the spring of the forgiving mercy of God toward men?—His love. Eph. 2:4. How may we receive the same spirit of forgiveness? Rom. 5:5; 2 Cor. 5:14; John 3:16.
