Activity

Give a marker and paper plate to each child. Show your model plate and have the children copy the words. Read the Bible parable in parts as outlined below. Allow the children to vote by holding up the side of their plate toward you to show if they think the Bible character would show mercy or not, and what they think the character did. Also, discuss what they think they might do in the same situation. Count the votes aloud for fun.

Read Matthew 18:23–30 in parts, as outlined below:

“Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so …”

Children vote on whether he would show mercy, and discuss.

Let’s read further to see what the king did:

“… his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.”

Oh my, did he show mercy?

But wait; there is more to the story!

“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master …

Children vote and discuss.

Let’s read further to see what the king did this time:

“… was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.”

Now, was that showing mercy?

Yes, he certainly forgave a lot of debt! Now, our story goes on to tell us about the man whose debt was forgiven. Let’s see what he did after receiving such mercy! 

“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He …”

Children vote and discuss.

Let’s read on to find out if he showed the same mercy he received!

“... grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.”

Did the man show mercy to his fellow servant? No!

Wow! That is really hard to believe—especially since that man had received so much forgiveness and mercy himself! So let’s read on, because he gets another chance to respond in mercy just like the king!

“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded.”

What do you think; would the servant forgive the debt this time?

Children vote and discuss.

Let’s read the rest of the story and see!

“But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.”

Are you surprised? What do you think he should have done?

Have a child—if possible, a 3rd grader — look up and read Luke 6:36 (nkjv) aloud:

“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” 

It is not always easy to show others mercy. It is often human nature to demand our rights or see others punished, like Jonah desired for the people of Nineveh. In order to consistently show mercy, we need to be filled with God’s love and compassion so we can be merciful as He is merciful.