Do to Others

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer: Fill in the blank: An enemy is a person who _____.

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Luke 6:27-38.

In this continuation of the Sermon on the Plain, how does Jesus fill in the blank: An enemy is a person who _____. [hates, curses, mistreats, strikes, takes things that do not belong to them (Luke 6:27-30).]

How does Jesus teach us to behave toward enemies? [We are to respond with love, good works, blessing, prayer, non-resistance, and giving. In addition, we are to treat enemies the way we desire enemies to treat u. (Luke 6:27-31). Jesus also tells us to lend without expecting a return (Luke 6:34), and forgive, and refrain from judging and condemnation. (Luke 6:37).]

What might a contemporary Christian need to let go of to practice loving behavior toward enemies? What would a contemporary Christian be called to embrace?

What might you say to counter the objections of a disciple who struggles with this teaching?

The preaching notes advise: “From your safe place, you pray for God’s healing and God’s love to transform the abuser. Leave behind the inclination to return the hurt as you have been hurt. It doesn’t help with healing. It doesn’t make right what has been a horrible wrong. Let it go and love. Love from a distance. Or better yet, pray that God’s love can do what your love is incapable of at the moment. Pray that God will step in and love your enemies.”

• What one loving action can you take in response to an enemy while safeguarding yourself from continued harm?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer: God of love and compassion, we open our hearts to you. Please do your work in us so that we can become merciful as you are merciful. Amen.

Rev. Sherry Bryant-Johnson, an ordained United Methodist deacon, recently retired from almost three decades of serving extension ministry appointments. She continues to live out her calling as a teacher, author, and spiritual director.