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Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[a] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[b] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Today, we’re continuing on in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus is in the midst of teaching what it looks like for people to be a part of the Kingdom of God. Today, we’re looking at what He has to say about how we interact with our enemies. Scripture teaches us to:
- Leave vengeance in God’s hands
Matt. 5:38-42, Rom. 12:19, Deut. 32:35, Prov. 20:22, 24:29, Nah. 1:2-3
- Overcome evil with good
Matt. 5:43-47, Rom. 12:14-21, 1 Thess. 5:15, 1 Pet. 2:20-23, 3:9
- All God to continually transform you
Matt. 5:48, Rom. 12:1-2, 2 Pet. 1:10, 2 Cor. 3:18, Gal. 2:20, Ps. 51:10-12
When we deal with our enemies in a Biblical manner, we can better point people towards Jesus, even in the midst of difficult situations.
Reflecting on God’s Word
Getting Started
- Take some time to read over Matthew 5:38-48 and pray.
- Have you ever read or heard about this before? What stood out to you as we were talking about it?
- Take some time to think and pray about who your enemies are. Ask God to point out who you view as your enemies.
Diving In
- Read over Matthew 5:38-42 again. Here, Jesus calls us to live radically different lives than the world. If we are to accomplish how Jesus tells us to live our lives regarding dealing with our enemies, it is imperative that we leave vengeance and revenge with God’s hands. Why do you think it’s so difficult for the vast majority of people (even among believers) to live with that mentality?
- What is your knee-jerk reaction when it comes to dealing with your enemies?
- How much does your anger have to do with how you behave towards your enemies?
- How would it change the way you deal with your enemies if you could better leave the vengeance in God’s hands?
- Read over Matthew 5:43-47 again. Here, Jesus takes things to the next level. Not only are we not to retaliate against our enemies, but we are also to take the next step and love our enemies. What does that practically look like in our world today?
- What stops you from loving your enemies?
- What kind of attitudes do you need God to help you to avoid, because they stop you from loving your enemies?
- How would it change your life if you could love your enemies well?
- Read over Matthew 5:48 again. Here again, Jesus takes things to an even higher level for us. Not only are we not retaliate against, but rather love our enemies, but in addition, we are also to be perfect as God is perfect. Take some time to spend in prayer, asking God to reveal what area(s) of your life you need to hand over to Him.
- Since you have given your life to Christ, how has God changed you?
- How do you think it would affect your relationship with God if you were to continually allow Him to transform you?
- How would it impact the people around you if you were to allow God to continually transform you?
Applying the Scripture
What are your biggest takeaways from this passage of God’s Word?
- What practical step(s) do you need to implement in your life to apply what God has taught you in this passage of Scripture?
- How would applying this affect your life and your relationship with the Lord?
- Who can you ask to keep you accountable to applying this to your life?
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?