Bible Discussion on Monday 25th of September at 6.30pm led by Alex Bradley

 Hello Everyone,

Our next discussion will be on Monday 25 September at 6.30 and will be led by Alex Bradley. We will discuss the ‘parable of the unmerciful servant’ in Matthew’s Gospel.

“To err is human: to forgive divine” wrote Alexander Pope.

What does it mean to forgive someone who has done us a wrong? There are so many ways in which human beings do wrong to each other. Parents can often damage their children. People can be robbed of their life savings. A marriage can be rocked by infidelity. There are so many more, of course, some more terrible.

Should we forgive people who have done us wrong or caused us an injury? And if so, how can we forgive them?

We will read from Matthew 18.21-35 (‘the parable of the unmerciful servant’ passages is from verse 23 onwards)

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.  23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; 25 and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; 33 and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

The Zoom details remain as follows:

Join Zoom Meeting Monday 18.30

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367...

Meeting ID: 823 7804 2367

Passcode: 460019

All are welcome to our discussions, whether you are a Unitarian Christian, Unitarian, or have another faith affiliation, or none. Looking forward to seeing you on Monday!

Photo credit and thanks – Alexas_Fotos on Pixabay