Start from Christ (1–4)River ↑
Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing. Luke 23:34
Passage: While We Were Enemies ~ Romans 5:6-11
- God made peace with us while we were his enemies. What does this show you about him?
- He also made you his child (Romans 8:15). How does that change how you see your enemy?
Christ loved me:
- Came first (Romans 5:8)
- Reconciled us (Romans 5:10)
- Ended the hostility (Ephesians 2:16)
- Made us children (Romans 8:15)
For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. Matthew 5:45
Story: Jesus Teaches: Love Your Enemies ~ Matthew 5:38-48
- The Father gives sun and rain to all. What does this show you about him?
- Who is your enemy? Say their name to God and pray for them now.
I love my enemy by:
- Praying for them (Matthew 5:44)
- Blessing, not cursing (Luke 6:28)
- Doing good (Luke 6:27)
“He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37
Story: The Good Samaritan ~ Luke 10:25-37
- Jews and Samaritans had no dealings (John 4:9), yet a Samaritan stopped to help. What did it cost him?
- Who near you is from a people hostile to you? How can you show mercy?
Mercy looks like:
- Stopping (Luke 10:33)
- Caring for wounds (Luke 10:34)
- Paying the cost (Luke 10:35)
Shouldn’t I be concerned for Nineveh, that great city… Jonah 4:11
Story: Jonah Is Angry at God’s Mercy ~ Jonah 3:10–4:11
- Jonah was angry that God had mercy on his enemies. What does this show you about God’s heart?
- Is there anyone you do not want God to forgive? Tell him honestly.
God’s heart for my enemies:
- Slow to anger (Jonah 4:2)
- Concerned for them (Jonah 4:11)
- Wanting them to turn and live (Ezekiel 33:11)
Love in action (5–8)River ↑
If your enemy is hungry, feed him … Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:20-21
Story: Elisha Feeds the Enemy Army ~ 2 Kings 6:8-23
- Elisha said, “Set bread and water before them…” What does this show you about God?
- What simple good can you do for someone hostile to you?
I overcome evil by:
- Feeding my enemy (Romans 12:20)
- Refusing revenge (Romans 12:17)
- Sparing captives (2 Kings 6:22)
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good… Genesis 50:20
Story: Joseph Forgives His Brothers ~ Genesis 50:15-21
- His brothers were afraid. Joseph comforted them and provided for them. What made that possible?
- Who has harmed you? Tell God the truth, and leave revenge to him.
I can forgive because:
- I am not God (Genesis 50:19)
- God works for good (Romans 8:28)
- Revenge belongs to God (Romans 12:19)
Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8
Story: David Cries Out in the Cave ~ Psalm 142
- David poured out his trouble to God while his enemy hunted him. What does this show you about God?
- What pain from an enemy do you need to pour out to God now?
I bring my pain to God by:
- Telling him everything (Psalm 142:2)
- Trusting his justice (1 Peter 2:23)
- Leaving revenge to him (Romans 12:19)
Always be ready to give … a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear… 1 Peter 3:15
Story: Paul and Silas and the Jailer ~ Acts 16:22-34
- The jailer chained them. They saved his life and told him about Jesus. What does this show you about God?
- Who hostile to Jesus can you pray for and share with?
I share Jesus by:
- Praising God in trouble (Acts 16:25)
- Caring for their life (Acts 16:28)
- Telling the good news (Acts 16:31)
Love with wisdom (9–12)River ↑
Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
Story: David Spares Saul ~ 1 Samuel 24:1-22
- David would not harm Saul, but did not go home with him. What does this teach about love and wisdom?
- Where do you need God’s wisdom with an enemy? Ask him now.
I love with wisdom by:
- Not harming (1 Samuel 24:6)
- Letting God judge (1 Samuel 24:12)
- Keeping a wise distance (1 Samuel 24:22)
But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone… John 2:24
Story: Jesus Washes Judas’s Feet ~ John 13:1-30
- Jesus knew Judas would betray him, and still washed his feet. What does this show you about his love?
- How can you love someone without trusting them?
Jesus loved:
- Knowing the heart (John 2:25)
- Serving humbly (John 13:5)
- Speaking the truth (John 13:21)
But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next… Matthew 10:23
Story: Paul Escapes in a Basket ~ Acts 9:20-25
- His friends helped him escape a plot to kill him. What does this show you about wisdom, and about God?
- Where do you need the Lord to show you whether to stay or go? Ask him.
I seek wisdom by:
- Asking God (James 1:5)
- Accepting believers’ help (Acts 9:25)
- Fleeing when persecuted (Matthew 10:23)
But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night because of them. Nehemiah 4:9
Story: Nehemiah Prays and Guards ~ Nehemiah 4:7-15
- They prayed and posted a guard. What does this show you about trusting God and being wise?
- Who has God given you to protect? How can you love them and your enemy?
I protect others by:
- Praying first (Nehemiah 4:9)
- Remembering the Lord (Nehemiah 4:14)
- Guarding the weak (Psalm 82:3)
Love with courage (13–17)River ↑
He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” Acts 7:60
Story: Stephen Prays for His Killers ~ Acts 7:54-60
- Stephen saw Jesus before he prayed for his killers. How does seeing Jesus help us love?
- What fear keeps you from loving your enemy? Give it to God now.
When I am afraid I:
- Look to Jesus first (Acts 7:55)
- Give my fear to God (Psalm 56:3-4)
- Pray for enemies (Acts 7:60)
We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29
Story: Ananias Goes to Saul ~ Acts 9:10-19
- Ananias was afraid of Saul, yet he went and called him brother. What changed?
- Is God asking you to do something that may bring trouble? What will you do?
I obey even when:
- It seems dangerous (Acts 9:13-15)
- I am afraid (Psalm 56:3)
- It means helping my enemy (Acts 9:17)
Seek the peace of the city … and pray to the LORD for it… Jeremiah 29:7
Story: Daniel in the Lions’ Den ~ Daniel 6:1-28
- Daniel served the king faithfully, but he would not stop praying. What does this show you about God?
- How can you seek the good of the place where you live, and pray for it?
I seek the peace of my city by:
- Praying for it (Jeremiah 29:7)
- Working faithfully (Daniel 6:4)
- Not giving up my faith (Daniel 6:10)
…for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard. Acts 4:20
Story: Peter and John Before the Council ~ Acts 4:1-31
- They answered with respect and courage, then prayed for boldness. What does this show you about God?
- What do you fear from people in power? Tell God. What will you ask him for?
Before hostile rulers I:
- Speak with respect (1 Peter 2:17)
- Obey God first (Acts 4:19)
- Pray for boldness (Acts 4:29)
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5:12
Story: The Apostles Rejoice ~ Acts 5:40-42
- They were beaten and left rejoicing. What does this show you about Jesus?
- How can you keep loving and speaking when it costs you?
In suffering I:
- Rejoice (Acts 5:41)
- Keep telling (Acts 5:42)
- Remember my reward (Matthew 5:12)
Questions People AskRiver ↑
Does loving my enemy mean I must trust them?
No. Jesus did not entrust himself to people, because he knew what was in them. He washed Judas’s feet, knowing what Judas would do. Love wants their good; trust is different.
See Him in: cards 9 and 10
Read:
- John 2:24-25
- John 13:21-27
- Matthew 10:16
Must I stay where I am in danger?
Not always. Jesus told his followers to flee persecution, and Paul left Damascus. Seeking safety and help can be right. God sent Ananias toward danger. Ask the Lord and trusted believers, then obey.
See Him in: cards 11 and 14
Read:
- Matthew 10:23
- Acts 9:25
- Acts 9:13-17
Is it wrong to be afraid?
Feeling fear is human. Jesus was deeply troubled in Gethsemane, and he still obeyed. The question is not whether we feel fear, but whether fear rules us. Bring your fear to God and trust him.
See Him in: cards 13 and 14
Read:
- Mark 14:33-36
- Psalm 56:3-4
- 1 Peter 5:7
What if I cannot feel love for them?
This love is not first a feeling. It is praying, blessing and doing good. Start there. God has already poured his love into our hearts. Ask him for help to love in what you do.
See Him in: cards 2 and 5
Read:
- Luke 6:27-28
- Romans 5:5
- 1 John 3:18
What about justice? What they did was wrong.
Loving your enemy does not mean calling evil good. Wrong should be named, and victims protected. Leave revenge to God, who judges justly. Tell him your pain honestly. He hears.
See Him in: cards 6 and 7
Read:
- Romans 12:19
- 1 Peter 2:23
- Psalm 82:3
Should I keep a safe distance from an enemy?
Love never means staying where someone keeps hurting you or others. Jesus sometimes withdrew; Nehemiah posted guards. Seek God’s wisdom and wise counsel, protect the weak, and pursue peace.
See Him in: cards 9, 10 and 12
Read:
- Luke 4:30
- Nehemiah 4:9
- Romans 12:18
Is forgiving the same as making peace again?
Forgiving means giving up revenge and leaving judgment to God. It does not pretend the harm did not happen or restore trust at once. Making peace needs both people, and may take repentance and time.
See Him in: cards 6 and 9
Read:
- Matthew 6:12
- Romans 12:18
- 1 Samuel 24:22
Should I share Jesus with people hostile to him?
Yes, with wisdom, gentleness and respect. We were once his enemies too, and someone told us. Ask God for boldness and for the right time. Your enemy may become your brother.
See Him in: cards 8 and 16
Read:
- 1 Peter 3:15
- Acts 4:29
- Acts 9:17
What if my enemy is my own family?
Jesus said a person’s enemies will be in their own household. People close to him once said he was insane. Love Jesus first. Pray for them, and let them see your good works.
See Him in: card 6
Read:
- Matthew 10:36-37
- Mark 3:21
- 1 Peter 2:12