We read Acts 20:1-21 tonight and focused on Paul's love for those he was sharing the gospel with. We focused on verses 7-11 and Paul's selflessness to speak with the people for hours on end, regardless of his lack of sleep or concern for his own well-being. Again in verse 13, Paul decided to walk to Assos when he could have sailed there simply so he could continue to share for at least ten of the twenty miles. Acts 20:17-21 show us Paul's great love for the people in that he never hesitated to go where he needed to go and share what the Lord wanted him to share, no matter how or by whom he was persecuted. Paul was truly a great example to those who met him. He didn't just teach about Jesus' love for His people; he exampled it. And we are to learn from Paul's example and follow it as well.
The kids took turns then reading what God's Word has to say about love, especially our love to others. We read:
John 13:34-35
John 15:12-13
Mark 12:30-31
Matthew 25:34-40
I John 4:7-12
We attempted to empty an entire can of shaving cream into a glass then. Of course, the shaving cream foamed and overflowed the glass and covered the table beneath it. We explained that love is like shaving cream. If it stays inside of us, it can't do its job. It needs to be set free. When we let love flow outward to others, it will grow & expand.
But what about those people in our lives who are difficult to love? Surely God can't expect us to love them just the same as we do our friends and family...those who are easy to love...can He?
Luke 6:27-36 - 27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
Ouch! To bring this point home, we watched a clip from the movie, The Grace Card. It’s about two cops, Sgt. Sam Wright and his partner Mac, and their incredible differences in life. Mac is a white man who’s already buried his first son; Sgt. Sam Wright – who we saw in the clip – is black and also serves his small church as pastor. The tension between these two men caused by racism is tremendous. The scene we watched comes during a moment in church when the “preacher cop” realizes that he has to love everybody, including those who do not love him…even those who despise him!
Those were some powerful, and humble, words. We just heard a guy who’s supposed to understand forgiveness and grace and love say he had to learn a lesson from God about forgiveness and grace and love. Even if people are being unloving toward us, God wants us to love them anyway.
We had some real rich discussion then, sharing and answering thisngs such as...
- We shared the name of the person it’s easiest for us to love.
- During his sermon, Sgt. Sam said, “My message today is hard to swallow, and follow,” and then went on to talk about loving those who hate you. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
- Does it surprise you to think that Christians – and even pastors – might need help in this department? Why or why not?
- When the lady in the congregation jumped up, what did she yell out? (“You love em anyway, pastor!”)
- Why is it difficult for us to love those that hate us?
- During his sermon, Sgt. Wright said, “About the last thing in my heart in that moment is loving that man.” Without naming names, who is that person in your life?
- Specifically, what do you think God wants you to do in regards to that person you just thought about?
- Looking back at Luke 6:27-36, there are a lot of difficult things mentioned in this passage that Jesus expects us to do. What is the most difficult for you?
- In your opinion, when done properly, which of these actions stands out the most to other people?
- Why would Jesus tell us to love enemies?
- What happens if we only love those who love us and hate those who hate us? Paul had a ton of people who hated him. What would Paul's ministry have been like if he only preached to those who loved him and he didn't bother with those who hated him?
- The only way for us to be “perfect,” according to Jesus, is to love our enemies. Do you think that’s fair? Why or why not?
- If you were to rate yourself on a scale of 1 (bad) to 10 (great) on how well you love those who hate you, what number would you give yourself?
- In his sermon, Sgt. Wright talked about needing a teacher and learning a lesson. What do you need to learn or hear to help you love enemies better?
- A moment ago, we reflected in our hearts on those that hate us. What would be that person’s reaction to us, to church, and to Jesus if we began to love them immediately – and when I say love, I mean what Jesus talks about in this passage?
- Very specifically, how will you love those people this week?
These were some tough things to talk about and ponder...for us, as well as for the kids. And some of the kids don't know anyone who hates them. But others know all too well the feeling of being disliked by others...namely bullies at school.
Love is a difficult thing. Oh, it’s great when you’re receiving it, no doubt. But it’s not always easy to love those around you…especially if those around you hate you. So many things in life seek to tear down love: racism, greed, hate, jealously, violence, unforgiveness, etc.
Sometimes, we think that love comes natural to Christians, pastors, Sunday School teachers, etc. We assured the kids that it's just as difficult for us as their youth leaders as it is for them, their parents, and others around them. Everybody in America struggles with this. Everybody in the world struggles with this. Everybody who’s religious struggles with this. Everybody who’s a Christian struggles with this. Still, loving others is a commandment from God and for several good reasons. First, we can’t say we love God and then not love those who He created in His image. Second, God wants His love to be shown to every person through us. Third, because if we love them, the lost will finally begin to see and understand God’s love. It's what made Paul such an effective missionary.
Finally, thinking about Paul's example, we asked the kids if, in regards to loving EVERYONE around them, were they willing to go the extra mile. Paul was willing to go an extra 20!
We ended our night listening to Jars of Clay's version of They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love.
