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Parable of the forgiven Debt (Matthew 18) | Games

The Parable Jesus tells here is super simple and yet very deep. We all expect the senior servant to forgive the debt of the lower servant because we expect him to continue passing on the blessings, it jars at us that he would not do so. These games tie into that idea of flowing from one to another and the key theme of forgiveness.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

Dominoes fall

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

This story shows how mercy, forgiveness, and compassion should follow down from our heavenly father through us and to those we meet. Use dominoes, blocks, cardboard boxes or whatever you have on hand.

Many Hands Race

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Draw a line on the floor and a dot as far away as possible, The aim is to make a path to the dot, round it and back to the line using hands. The first child lays their hand flat on the line, the next person must then place their hand touching the first child’s. Only once everyone has their hands on the floor can the first person stand and run to place their hand again in the line.

Upsize/downsize

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

An imitation game where you imitate your neighbour but in an exaggerated way (upsize) or a restricted way (downsize). The first person may wiggle a finger, so the second can upsize to wiggle a hand, then an arm etc.

Word coins

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Space needed

A simple treasure hunt that works well as an introduction for the lesson. Hide 11 coins that each have a letter stuck on them. Use the sticky part of post-it notes or blank stickers. Once all the letters are collected, you can spell the word FORGIVENESS. Link to the overall theme and how the parable wasn’t really about money, but about the mercy each person displayed.

Pass the parcel

Under 7’s

Any size group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

This classic game links well into the idea that each person is expected to do the same. If you’ve not played it before, the ‘prise’ is wrapped in many layers and circles the room until the music stops. The child holding the parcel then unwraps the layer, and it continues its journey. If you wish, you can add questions / tasks / or even prizes between layers,

Parable of the forgiven Debt (Matthew 18)-Play

Parable of the forgiven Debt (Matthew 18) | Story

This parable of Jesus is probably not the most popular with many, especially not bankers, but the kind of radical forgiveness it displays is sorely needed in today’s world. The idea of burning your last bridges, squandering your last chance, and ‘no way back’ are rife and yet, God never shuts that door to us and asks us to not shut that door to others. If you have older kids, it’s worth reminding them that forgive means not to hold it over someone’s head, but also not to necessarily forget. The king would have been wise to hesitate before lending the man more. Equally, forgiveness is granted when requested on our knees, acknowledging our shortcomings, not given automatically.

Tell this story or a similar one of your choice from a favourite bible translation or storybook. This version is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.

Main Passage : Matthew 18:21-35
Extra reference : Acts 1

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

Peter and Jesus were chatting. Peter knew when people did something wrong he should forgive them, but how many times should he keep forgiving? He wondered if 7 times was enough, 7 was the number of completeness, it seemed a good number of times too.

Jesus shook his head, “not 7, but 77!” Jesus said, imagining Peter trying to count them all up.

“Let me tell you a story about forgiveness in the kingdom of heaven” Jesus said and moved, so everyone could hear him.
“There was once a king who had many servants. When a servant was in need, the king would lend him money, but if the servant did not repay the money, he would be thrown into the jail.

One day, the king decided to sort out those debts and called one of his senior servants. The man had borrowed one hundred thousand denarii.

When the servant came he had nothing to give back to the king and so the king ordered the man thrown in jail and everything the man owned to be sold. Even his wife and children could be sold as slaves so the king may be repaid.

The senior servant fell on his knees and begged the king for mercy, for more time. The king had compassion on the man and decided he would be generous. He didn’t give him more time, he cancelled the debt.

The man walked out of the room, owing the king nothing.

He left the king and walked out so excited he was almost dancing. He would celebrate tonight. But then he saw a servant who owned him a hundred denarii. He walked over to the man and reminded him of his debt.

This servant also fell on his knees and begged for mercy, for more time. What did the senior servant do? Did he have mercy like the king and forgive this man his debt? Or did he throw the man in jail, until he got his money?

When the other servants saw the poor servant in jail, they were angry. They went back to the king and told him all the senior servant had done, and the king became angry too. The senior servant found himself in jail.

God forgives you, forgive each other, from the heart, not because you are counting a number.”

2 or 3 are gathered (Matthew 18) | Craft 2

When 2 or 3 are gathered, Jesus is with them – This craft takes that literally, piecing Jesus together as the different people join. There is nothing moving in this craft, and it’s deceptively simple.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some paper glue.
It is strongly recommended to print on heavier paper or thin card if that is an option for you.

Cut out the pieces.

Concertina fold the biggest piece, so the words are on the outside to form the stand

The characters all have numbers on them to help us with the next steps, take a moment to find them all.

Place number 1 in the first position behind the words.

Repeat with the other characters.

You may want to glue them in position eventually, but it’s best to make sure they are all positioned correctly first.

Now see the single picture form by looking straight on from a slight distance, or with one eye closed 😉

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A4 size
(210 x 297 mm)

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2 or 3 are gathered (Matthew 18) | Games

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.

Order

All Ages

Small group

Requires setup time

Quiet game

Can be seated

Print the game PDF page by clicking on the picture. We order things to help us understand the world and how to act. In this game, you are given 5 random images and told to order them. How you order them is entirely up to you and no answer is wrong, but you must give a reason why. Are they in value order? Age order? Does the order tell a story? Etc. Link to the blueprint conflict resolution part of this passage.

I can… we can…

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Repeat the following statement, changing the parameters, “I can reach this high/far, together we can reach this high/far.” “I can lift this much, together we can lift this much” etc. By working with others we achieve much more, praying with others we are joined by Jesus.

Cuck-oo, moo moo

All Ages

Any size group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

One person shouts out the first half of an animal sound, and the next person needs to respond with the other half. e.g. person 1 says, “twit” and the next says “twoo”. Dependent on your setup, this can work over screens, directed across rooms, or going around a circle. Which sounds work alone, which need a partner?

Prayer chain Jesus

All Ages

Any size group

Requires setup time

Noisy game

Space needed

Sit the children in a circle and say we will be passing around the word ‘Jesus’ one letter at a time. Have the first person throw a letter J, you can do this with a ball or just by imitating the action, the receiver throws the letter E until you reach the last S and start again. Link to the idea that we find Jesus not alone but gathered, even if only 2 people were throwing the letters they would still find Jesus.

Who ate the cookie from the cookie jar

Under 7’s

Small group

No Setup time

Noisy game

Can be seated

If you have very small children, sing a round of this song. Talk about how it can be difficult to admit our mistakes and how others can accuse us. Link to Jesus talking about conflict

2 or 3 are gathered (Matthew 18) | Craft 1

This craft is based on Matthew 18 verse 20 where Jesus speaks about where 2 or 3 are gathered in his name – though it plays with the wording a little. This is a perfect craft for a younger group as it’s so simple. It’s recommended to print this one in colour and allow the child to customise the final craft by adding colour to the words and details to the background.

This is part of a single lesson pack, all ready to print and go.