The Unforgiving Servant for Kids: The Bible Story Explained Simply

Series: Teachings of Jesus (Episode 10 of 10) | Scripture: Matthew/Luke | Ages 5+

The Unforgiving Servant is a Bible story from Matthew/Luke in the New Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.

Watch the Full Story of The Unforgiving Servant

Watch The Unforgiving Servant in our 60-second video lesson. Your child can follow along and take a quiz after to check what they learned.

Watch "The Unforgiving Servant" on Faithful Kids

Part of our Teachings of Jesus series, 10 episodes covering love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom.

What Is the Story of The Unforgiving Servant for Kids?

THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS — Episode 10 "The Unforgiving Servant" Based on Matthew 18:21-35

So my friend Peter came to me one day with a question he thought was really generous. He said, "Lord, how many times should I forgive someone who wrongs me? Seven times?" Peter probably thought he was being super gracious. Most rabbis said three times was enough. Peter doubled it and added one!

I looked at him and said: "Not seven times, Peter. Seventy times seven."

Now I did not mean Peter should keep a scoreboard up to four hundred ninety and then stop. I meant STOP COUNTING. Forgiveness is not a math problem. It is a way of life.

This story comes from Matthew/Luke and is part of the New Testament.

What Does the Story of The Unforgiving Servant Teach Children?

The story of The Unforgiving Servant teaches children important lessons about love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom:

• This story teaches children about love in a way they can understand
• God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
• Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world

Key Bible Verse

"Forgive, and you will be forgiven." — Luke 6:37

Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters

Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.

Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned

After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:

When Peter asked how many times he should forgive, what did Jesus answer?

Peter thought seven times was generous, but Jesus said seventy times seven — not as a literal number to count to, but to show that forgiveness should have no limit. Stop counting and just keep forgiving.

After the king forgave the servant's massive debt, what did that servant do?

Even though the servant had just been forgiven millions, he turned around and choked a fellow servant over a tiny amount. He received incredible mercy but refused to show any to someone else.

What is the main lesson of this parable?

The whole point is that God has forgiven each of us a debt we could never repay. Compared to that, anything someone else has done to us is small. If we have been forgiven an ocean, we can forgive a puddle.

Discussion Questions for Families

Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:

1. What was your favorite part of the story of The Unforgiving Servant?
2. What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
3. How can we be more like The in our own lives?
4. If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
5. What does this story teach us about trusting God?

More Episodes in the Teachings of Jesus Series

This story is episode 10 of 10 in the Teachings of Jesus series:

• The Sermon on the Mount for Kids
• The Beatitudes for Kids
• The Lords Prayer for Kids
• The Good Samaritan for Kids
• The Prodigal Son for Kids
• The Sower and the Seeds for Kids
• The Mustard Seed for Kids
• The Lost Sheep for Kids
• The Wise and Foolish Builders for Kids

400+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 400+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is 60 seconds, designed for kids Ages 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of The Unforgiving Servant about for kids?

The Unforgiving Servant is a story from Matthew/Luke. THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS — Episode 10 "The Unforgiving Servant" Based on Matthew 18:21-35

What age is the story of The Unforgiving Servant appropriate for?

This retelling of The Unforgiving Servant is designed for children Ages 5+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is 60 seconds long, perfect for young attention spans.

Where is The Unforgiving Servant found in the Bible?

The Unforgiving Servant is found in Matthew/Luke in the New Testament. It is part of the Teachings of Jesus series on Faithful Kids.

Is there a video of The Unforgiving Servant for kids?

Yes. Faithful Kids has a 60-second video retelling of The Unforgiving Servant designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.

How can I use The Unforgiving Servant for Sunday School or homeschool?

Play the 60-second Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.

What does The Unforgiving Servant teach kids?

The story of The Unforgiving Servant teaches children about love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom. This story teaches children about love in a way they can understand.