Today, we’re diving into a super important and challenging part of the Bible—loving our enemies. This might sound crazy, but it’s something Jesus talked about, and it’s crucial for our faith. As teenagers, you’re dealing with all kinds of relationships at school, online, and even at home. Sometimes, people can be mean, unfair, or just plain annoying. So, how do we deal with that? Let’s see what Jesus has to say!
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Explanation For Teenagers
- Old Teaching vs. New Teaching: Jesus starts by referencing an old teaching: “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” This was a common understanding, but Jesus flips it on its head by saying we should love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us.
- Reflecting God’s Love: By loving our enemies, we show that we are children of God. God’s love is impartial—He blesses everyone, good or bad, with things like sunlight and rain.
- Beyond the Norm: Loving those who love us back is easy and expected. Even people who don’t follow God do that. Jesus calls us to a higher standard—one that goes beyond just being nice to people who are nice to us.
- Striving for Perfection: Jesus ends by challenging us to be “perfect” like God. This means striving to love perfectly, even when it’s really tough.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Jesus asks us to love our enemies?
- Can you think of a time when someone was mean to you? How did you react?
- How do you think praying for someone who hurt you might change your feelings towards them?
Bible Reading: Romans 12:17-21
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Explanation For Teenagers
- No Retaliation: Paul, the writer of Romans, echoes Jesus’ teaching by telling us not to repay evil with evil. Instead, we should strive to do what’s right and live at peace.
- Trusting God’s Justice: We’re reminded to leave vengeance to God. He’s the one who will ultimately set things right.
- Kindness as a Weapon: When we respond to our enemies with kindness, it can make them think twice about their actions. It’s a powerful way to show God’s love and turn the situation around.
- Overcoming Evil with Good: The best way to fight against evil is with goodness. It’s a radical way to live and it stands out in a world that often seeks revenge.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- How can we “overcome evil with good” in our daily lives?
- Have you ever seen someone respond to a bad situation with kindness? What happened?
- What might be some practical ways to show kindness to someone who has hurt you?
Youth Group Game: “Enemy Tag”
Objective: To learn about loving your enemies through a fun, interactive game.
How to Play:
- Divide the group into two teams.
- Choose one person from each team to be the “enemy.”
- The “enemies” have to tag members of the opposite team.
- When someone is tagged, they have to stand still until a teammate comes to “save” them by giving them a high-five.
- After a few rounds, switch the “enemies” so different people get a chance to play.
Debrief:
- Discuss how it felt to be tagged and to save someone.
- Relate the game to real life: How can we “save” those who are considered our enemies by showing them love and kindness?
Closing Prayer
Let’s close in prayer.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us about loving our enemies. This is hard, but we know that with Your help, we can do it. Help us to show Your love to everyone, even those who hurt us. Give us the strength to forgive and the courage to be kind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Feel free to share your thoughts or any stories you have about this topic. Remember, loving our enemies isn’t easy, but it’s a powerful way to show the world who God is!