Church School Lesson
THE IMPROVED ADULT TEACHER QUARTERLY
​Lesson 5 July 1, 2018
PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35
Focus Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35
Crossing The Read Sea
Key Verse: "Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?" Matthew 18:33 (NRSV)
MATTHEW 18:21-35 (NRSV)
21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"
22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23 For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;
25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.
26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.'
29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'
30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, 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 slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?'
34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.
35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
MATTHEW 18:21-35 (KJV)
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, 0 thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
June 25 - July 1
Monday - Genesis 50:15-21 (Joseph Forgives His Brothers)
Tuesday - 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 (Forgiveness and Healing of the Land)
Wednesday - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (Forgiving and Consoling the Offender)
Thursday - Colossians 3:12-17 (Forgive Each Other's Complaints)
Friday - Luke 17: 1-4 (Keep Forgiving Each Other)
Saturday - Matthew 6:9-15 (God's Forgiveness Depends on Us)
Sunday - Matthew 18:21-35 (Offer Mercy and Forgiveness Freely)
VOCABULARY
• Talent-A unit of monetary value, worth more than fifteen years' wages for a laborer. Therefore, ten thousand talents would equate to millions of dollars.
• Denarii - One denarii was equivalent to a few dollars.
• Denarius - The usual day's wage for a laborer.
INTRODUCTION
Beginning in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew's gospel is a discourse that illustrates Jesus' teaching on the new life that goes beyond individualism. Instead, this story bridges the previous text (vs. 15-17) to present a discourse on the importance of life together in the Christian community. The beginning of this chapter portrays the disciples like children who seek to understand how people will be ranked in God's new kingdom (18: 1). Jesus responds by calling a child to him and illustrating that the child depicts the model for entering the kingdom. Jesus further instructs that everyone must come to Jesus like a child, giving the understanding that children are teachable, open, loving and loyal. Jesus further cautions that since a child holds the highest status, it is also a critical error to cause a child harm or to sin. This begins the discourse of a disciple's responsibility not only to one's own actions to cause self-harm, but those actions in relationship to others. By verse fifteen, Jesus has now begun instructing on handling conflict and disagreements. The question posed by Peter is likely not designed to calculate the acceptable number of wrongs that will be forgiven, but more intended to enhance Peter's posture as a forgiving disciple who pardons frequently. Jesus' answer of seventy-seven times (v. 22) is not to illustrate a larger number, but to convey that there is no numeric figure set for exonerations in the eyes of God. This brings the reader to a story of forgiveness presented through a parable. As Jesus conducts this series of instruction on fellowship in the community, he offers an example of how God has also forgiven us. It is in this parable that God's grace and anger are presented as potential responses, depending on our ability to forgive.
BIBLE STORY
This parable presented in the gospel of Matthew was originally presented by Jesus as a means to proclaim the kingdom of God. Later interpretations by Matthew are believed to have added verses 34 and 35. Therefore, the story has two intended purposes. For Jesus, it was intended to show God's grace, as the Lord forgives us for our transgressions. For Matthew, it became an opportunity to illustrate the relationship between people in the community. There are several issues with the first servant who is brought before the king for an unpaid debt. First, the debt is considerable and, due to the size, warrants some consequences. Although it is not addressed in the parable, it is assumed that the servant, not being a slave, mismanaged the debt. It is also assumed that the servant is not a slave, but a person given a large financial responsibility, and was a poor, reckless steward who mismanaged the funds. Although the king would be justified to impose a severe infraction upon the servant and his family, he finds compassion instead, and allows the servant to pay the debt over time.
Afterwards, we find that servant meeting one of his own servants and recalls that he is owed a debt as well (vs. 28-29). But this debt is considerably less in comparison (1/600,000) to what the servant owed the king. Despite the recent favor he received, he lashes out at his servant and violently demands immediate payment. However, he is unaware that others are observing his actions. The king is informed of his servant's selfish and unjust actions and demands the servant returns to him. The first servant was brought back to the king and made to account for his debt. Matthew portrays the unforgiving servant as one who will ultimately receive the same treatment that the unforgiving servant threatened to his own servant. The model prayer given by Jesus asks for forgiveness from God, just as we have forgiven others who have trespassed against us (Matthew 6: 12, Luke 11 :4).
LIFE APPLICATION
Many people in the United States seek options to pay heavy debts. Some may even find opportunities to receive large amounts of money through lawsuits. A minor accident can cost insurance companies billions of dollars. It is uncertain how many legal cases are prompted by financial matters, but it is likely to be high, simply due to the size of America's legal system for both criminal and civil matters. For instance, fifteen million civil cases are filed annually in America. If anyone was wondering how that is possible, it is clear there is no shortage of attorneys in this country. Eighty percent of the world's lawyers live in America. In some cases, the lawsuits are not simply about money, but
more about principle and unforgiveness. It becomes an obsession of who will win. Lawsuits may be the extreme, but a person's day in court also surrounds bad relationships, community disagreements, corporate buyouts or infringements and organizational problems. When people believe they are wronged, or that a group of people is being mistreated, then attorneys are called. If disputes are not resolved, the bitterness and anger can remain for years, sometimes even passing down to the next generation.
Although unforgiveness does not always lead to litigation, it can lead to health risks including physical and emotional distress. According to Worthington et al. (1999), unforgiveness can be defined psychologically as the emotional imbalance due to delayed response towards a transgressor. However, the expression (anger, hatred, frustration or violence) depends on the mental state of a person. According to McCullough (1998), unforgiveness triggers those stressors, which force a person to think that people have harmed them in an ethically and morally wrong way. A person with such a mental state can take potentially harmful steps, and in extreme cases people develop suicidal tendencies. The violent response of the first servant to the second one in the text, gives us an example of how unforgiveness can lead to rage and violent behavior. If the king could forgive, then so could the servant. We are also expected to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
SUMMARY
The act of forgiveness is not only biblical, but has health benefits, which can contribute to suppressing negative stressors. Forgiveness facilitates the process of recovery from mental trauma. It is very important for a person's mental stability for them to release negative emotions.
1. Are there people in your life you need to forgive and forget regarding past issues, whether resolved or not? What steps can you take to move towards releasing your hold not to forgive?
2. Is there a person in your life who refuses to forgive you or someone you know? Discuss with another person in the group what can be done to help this situation.
3. Discuss areas within the church where you have seen unforgiveness play out. Discuss ways it can be resolved.
4. Have there been opportunities to teach about forgiveness in other Bible studies within the church? When your pastor preaches on unforgiveness, how do you think it is received?
CLOSING DEVOTION
• Pray for a forgiving heart as you have seen Jesus forgive.
​
• Take a moment of silence for everyone to think of people and situations they would like God to intervene in and teach believers to forgive. Then pray corporately the Lord's Prayer in solidarity for those individuals and situations.
​
​
​APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day He arose from the dead, He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church Universal, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
D E C A L 0 G U E
Superintendent-And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law
Superintendent-Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law
Superintendent-Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord hath made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day: Wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
My soul be on thy guard,
Ten Thousand foes arise;
And hosts of sins are pressing hard
To draw thee from the skies
Superintendent-Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not kill.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not commit adultery.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not steal.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and write these laws upon our hearts.
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
Superintendent-Hear what Christ, our Savior saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great Commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
All-Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
​Lesson 5 July 1, 2018
PARABLE OF THE UNFORGIVING SERVANT
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35
Focus Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35
Crossing The Read Sea
Key Verse: "Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?" Matthew 18:33 (NRSV)
MATTHEW 18:21-35 (NRSV)
21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"
22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23 For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.
24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him;
25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made.
26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'
27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.'
29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'
30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, 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 slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?'
34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.
35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
MATTHEW 18:21-35 (KJV)
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, 0 thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
June 25 - July 1
Monday - Genesis 50:15-21 (Joseph Forgives His Brothers)
Tuesday - 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 (Forgiveness and Healing of the Land)
Wednesday - 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (Forgiving and Consoling the Offender)
Thursday - Colossians 3:12-17 (Forgive Each Other's Complaints)
Friday - Luke 17: 1-4 (Keep Forgiving Each Other)
Saturday - Matthew 6:9-15 (God's Forgiveness Depends on Us)
Sunday - Matthew 18:21-35 (Offer Mercy and Forgiveness Freely)
VOCABULARY
• Talent-A unit of monetary value, worth more than fifteen years' wages for a laborer. Therefore, ten thousand talents would equate to millions of dollars.
• Denarii - One denarii was equivalent to a few dollars.
• Denarius - The usual day's wage for a laborer.
INTRODUCTION
Beginning in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew's gospel is a discourse that illustrates Jesus' teaching on the new life that goes beyond individualism. Instead, this story bridges the previous text (vs. 15-17) to present a discourse on the importance of life together in the Christian community. The beginning of this chapter portrays the disciples like children who seek to understand how people will be ranked in God's new kingdom (18: 1). Jesus responds by calling a child to him and illustrating that the child depicts the model for entering the kingdom. Jesus further instructs that everyone must come to Jesus like a child, giving the understanding that children are teachable, open, loving and loyal. Jesus further cautions that since a child holds the highest status, it is also a critical error to cause a child harm or to sin. This begins the discourse of a disciple's responsibility not only to one's own actions to cause self-harm, but those actions in relationship to others. By verse fifteen, Jesus has now begun instructing on handling conflict and disagreements. The question posed by Peter is likely not designed to calculate the acceptable number of wrongs that will be forgiven, but more intended to enhance Peter's posture as a forgiving disciple who pardons frequently. Jesus' answer of seventy-seven times (v. 22) is not to illustrate a larger number, but to convey that there is no numeric figure set for exonerations in the eyes of God. This brings the reader to a story of forgiveness presented through a parable. As Jesus conducts this series of instruction on fellowship in the community, he offers an example of how God has also forgiven us. It is in this parable that God's grace and anger are presented as potential responses, depending on our ability to forgive.
BIBLE STORY
This parable presented in the gospel of Matthew was originally presented by Jesus as a means to proclaim the kingdom of God. Later interpretations by Matthew are believed to have added verses 34 and 35. Therefore, the story has two intended purposes. For Jesus, it was intended to show God's grace, as the Lord forgives us for our transgressions. For Matthew, it became an opportunity to illustrate the relationship between people in the community. There are several issues with the first servant who is brought before the king for an unpaid debt. First, the debt is considerable and, due to the size, warrants some consequences. Although it is not addressed in the parable, it is assumed that the servant, not being a slave, mismanaged the debt. It is also assumed that the servant is not a slave, but a person given a large financial responsibility, and was a poor, reckless steward who mismanaged the funds. Although the king would be justified to impose a severe infraction upon the servant and his family, he finds compassion instead, and allows the servant to pay the debt over time.
Afterwards, we find that servant meeting one of his own servants and recalls that he is owed a debt as well (vs. 28-29). But this debt is considerably less in comparison (1/600,000) to what the servant owed the king. Despite the recent favor he received, he lashes out at his servant and violently demands immediate payment. However, he is unaware that others are observing his actions. The king is informed of his servant's selfish and unjust actions and demands the servant returns to him. The first servant was brought back to the king and made to account for his debt. Matthew portrays the unforgiving servant as one who will ultimately receive the same treatment that the unforgiving servant threatened to his own servant. The model prayer given by Jesus asks for forgiveness from God, just as we have forgiven others who have trespassed against us (Matthew 6: 12, Luke 11 :4).
LIFE APPLICATION
Many people in the United States seek options to pay heavy debts. Some may even find opportunities to receive large amounts of money through lawsuits. A minor accident can cost insurance companies billions of dollars. It is uncertain how many legal cases are prompted by financial matters, but it is likely to be high, simply due to the size of America's legal system for both criminal and civil matters. For instance, fifteen million civil cases are filed annually in America. If anyone was wondering how that is possible, it is clear there is no shortage of attorneys in this country. Eighty percent of the world's lawyers live in America. In some cases, the lawsuits are not simply about money, but
more about principle and unforgiveness. It becomes an obsession of who will win. Lawsuits may be the extreme, but a person's day in court also surrounds bad relationships, community disagreements, corporate buyouts or infringements and organizational problems. When people believe they are wronged, or that a group of people is being mistreated, then attorneys are called. If disputes are not resolved, the bitterness and anger can remain for years, sometimes even passing down to the next generation.
Although unforgiveness does not always lead to litigation, it can lead to health risks including physical and emotional distress. According to Worthington et al. (1999), unforgiveness can be defined psychologically as the emotional imbalance due to delayed response towards a transgressor. However, the expression (anger, hatred, frustration or violence) depends on the mental state of a person. According to McCullough (1998), unforgiveness triggers those stressors, which force a person to think that people have harmed them in an ethically and morally wrong way. A person with such a mental state can take potentially harmful steps, and in extreme cases people develop suicidal tendencies. The violent response of the first servant to the second one in the text, gives us an example of how unforgiveness can lead to rage and violent behavior. If the king could forgive, then so could the servant. We are also expected to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
SUMMARY
The act of forgiveness is not only biblical, but has health benefits, which can contribute to suppressing negative stressors. Forgiveness facilitates the process of recovery from mental trauma. It is very important for a person's mental stability for them to release negative emotions.
1. Are there people in your life you need to forgive and forget regarding past issues, whether resolved or not? What steps can you take to move towards releasing your hold not to forgive?
2. Is there a person in your life who refuses to forgive you or someone you know? Discuss with another person in the group what can be done to help this situation.
3. Discuss areas within the church where you have seen unforgiveness play out. Discuss ways it can be resolved.
4. Have there been opportunities to teach about forgiveness in other Bible studies within the church? When your pastor preaches on unforgiveness, how do you think it is received?
CLOSING DEVOTION
• Pray for a forgiving heart as you have seen Jesus forgive.
​
• Take a moment of silence for everyone to think of people and situations they would like God to intervene in and teach believers to forgive. Then pray corporately the Lord's Prayer in solidarity for those individuals and situations.
​
​
​APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day He arose from the dead, He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church Universal, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
D E C A L 0 G U E
Superintendent-And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law
Superintendent-Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law
Superintendent-Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord hath made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day: Wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
My soul be on thy guard,
Ten Thousand foes arise;
And hosts of sins are pressing hard
To draw thee from the skies
Superintendent-Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not kill.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not commit adultery.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not steal.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Superintendent-Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.
School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and write these laws upon our hearts.
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
Superintendent-Hear what Christ, our Savior saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great Commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
All-Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
