Series Focus: Love Like Jesus
Use this guide to lead your family. In each guide, you will find a parenting affirmation to help you focus on God's call on you as a parent/guardian. Then, you will find a Scripture passage from the New International Reader's Version of the Bible. When you are done reading, there are discussion questions to help your family talk about what you read. Feel free to add to or skip questions as time allows. At some point during the week, it would be extra special to plan to do the optional Family Activity.
Parenting Affirmation: I will live in the moment today by engaging with and loving my kids with abandon. Read Psalms 118:24
Read:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor. (Leviticus 19:18) Hate your enemy.’ 44 But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. 45 Then you will be children of your Father who is in heaven. He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that. 47 If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that. 48 So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Discussion Questions:
Family Activity: On your “People to Love” list add your enemies or those who you need to work on changing how you view them. Talk and encourage each other with ways you can love everyone from your list. Check in and see how everyone is doing. Where do you need encouragement, help, love yourself so you can love more like Jesus? Pray for everyone on your list and your family.
Use this guide to lead your family. In each guide, you will find a parenting affirmation to help you focus on God's call on you as a parent/guardian. Then, you will find a Scripture passage from the New International Reader's Version of the Bible. When you are done reading, there are discussion questions to help your family talk about what you read. Feel free to add to or skip questions as time allows. At some point during the week, it would be extra special to plan to do the optional Family Activity.
Parenting Affirmation: I will live in the moment today by engaging with and loving my kids with abandon. Read Psalms 118:24
Read:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor. (Leviticus 19:18) Hate your enemy.’ 44 But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. 45 Then you will be children of your Father who is in heaven. He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that. 47 If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that. 48 So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Discussion Questions:
- Who is our neighbor?
- Who is our enemy? The definition of enemy “a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.” Does this change who you list as an enemy? Why/why not?
- Many times our enemies are not close friends or acquaintances. Would it be easier to love someone if you don’t even know them?
- What ways can each of us take steps to move toward love for those who think are enemies?
- What can we remember about God’s character that could make it easier to consider loving our enemies?
Family Activity: On your “People to Love” list add your enemies or those who you need to work on changing how you view them. Talk and encourage each other with ways you can love everyone from your list. Check in and see how everyone is doing. Where do you need encouragement, help, love yourself so you can love more like Jesus? Pray for everyone on your list and your family.