LESSON 12: Love your enemy
LESSON 12
LOVE YOUR ENEMY (Mt. 5:38-48, Lk.6:27-36)
What do you think of when you see a heart? ❤️ Most of us would probably say that when we see a heart, we think of love. Who do you love? Do you love your parents? Do you love your brother or sister? How about your best friend? Do you love your teacher? It is easy to love these people, because they love us too.
Are there any boys or girls that are mean to you at recess? Has anyone ever said something about you that was not true? Do you love those boys and girls? Should we really be expected to love people who are mean to us, treat us badly, and say ugly things about us?
Well, let’s listen to what Jesus told us to do. Jesus said: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself”. This teaching is very famous and we have to follow it. But later Jesus again said: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Lk. 6:27, 28).
Why should we love our enemies? Jesus said that when we love our enemies, we are acting like children of God. If we only love those who love us, will God reward us for that? If we are only kind to our friends, what is so great about that? Everybody does that!
Jesus says if we only love the people who love us, we’re no different than anyone else in this world. Everyone loves the people who love them; God’s people love everyone, even their enemies. Loving our enemies is a way to bring Heaven to this world because in Heaven, there is only love!
I’m sure all of you have come across someone who is hard to get along with. You’ve all seen kids who keep to themselves, kids who are always whispering, giggling, and making fun of other kids. For whatever reason, these children choose hatred and meanness over kindness. They don’t seem to get along with everyone.
It would be easy to answer their unkind actions with unkind actions of our own. We can call them names, talk behind their backs, or pick on them in return. That’s worldly thinking, and that’s the kind of thinking that doesn’t belong in Heaven.
Jesus showed true love on the cross. Jesus did what he said. He didn’t even resist while he was persecuted and finally crucified. He didn’t try to defend his innocence at the time of the trial. He was sinless, though he didn’t explain his position. He suffered every torture without any complaint and he prayed for them.
Heaven is a place filled with God’s love, and when we learn to love those kids who don’t get along with us, we bring Heaven to Earth! What’s more, God wants us to reach out to kids we don’t know, the ones who may be new or different. God wants us to be loving and kind to the shy kids, the special needs kids, to everyone we meet. We are all God’s children, and God can use us to share his love with kids who truly need him in their lives. In this way, we can bring Heaven to the world by introducing our peers to the one who is preparing Heaven for them and for us!
Video Reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHgDSC6ODOE
Craft: Spread Love to Others
Give each child a coffee filter and a washable marker. Let them decorate the coffee filter. Then spray the coffee filters with water from a spray bottle and watch the colors spread. Make sure you put a tray under the coffee filters so it doesn’t make a mess.
Say: Do you see how the colors are spreading out on the coffee filter? That’s what love is like. We need to spread it around to everyone, especially our enemies.
What have you learned about Loving your enemies?
- It isn’t always easy to love your enemies, but there are some good reasons for doing it.
- It demonstrates the love of God to others.
- It sets a good example for others to follow.
- It turns enemies into friends.
Questions:
- What is love?
- Explain the depth of “Love your enemies”.