Week 2

Look Back

How did you look for hope, help or peace in ways that honor God? How did you commit to understand and obey God's instructions in a new way?

Look Up

Read John 13:34-35 and 1 John 4:7-12

1. Why do you think Jesus told his disciples to love one another as a “command” rather than as a request or suggestion? What does this mean for people today?
2. What other ways do people finish the sentence “By this all men will know that you are a Christian, if you _____________________”? Why do you think there are different answers?
3. What does the passage from 1 John 4:8 say is true of people who fail to love others? Is this still true today, and if so what can be done about it?
4. What reasons are given for loving others in these verses? How do these compare with the reasons people often give for not loving others?

Read Matthew 5:43-48

1. Who do you think were the “enemies” that Jesus was referring for? Who do you see as your “enemies” today? Why do you see them as an enemy?
2. How should Christians today respond to people who have strong beliefs that are different from theirs? How can you show love to someone who disagrees, or is disagreeable?
3. The New King James translation of Matt 5:44 is “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” What does it look like to be “cursed”, “spitefully used” and “persecuted” in today’s world? How can someone facing this respond in love?
4. What reasons are given for loving others in these verses? How do these compare with the reasons given by John in the other passages?

Overall (Discovery Bible Study)

• What do these scriptures say about God?
• What do they say about people?
• How will I apply this to my life?

Look Ahead

Identify one person that you disagree with on a substantive issue and commit to show unconditional love to that person in some way?

Notes

Who are our enemies today? We live in a world filled with “likes”, “unlikes”. “follows” and “cancels”, but few people describe others as “enemies”. However, it is very easy to identify people that are different, especially if they irritate, frustrate or anger us. how should we view and respond to them? Jesus was clear - we are to love others, regardless of their beliefs and actions. Only when we do this, do we show that we are true disciples of Jesus Christ and honoring God.