The Hidden Kingdom - Pt 12: "Peacemakers"

This week, we explore the difficult topic of loving our enemies. One of the most challenging things Jesus calls us to do is to walk in forgiveness and love our enemies. Let’s learn from him how to have steadfast love, to experience the power of forgiveness, and to learn how to pray for those who hurt us. May God grant us the faith we need to love others well, and to grow more like our perfect Father as a result. Discussion Questions: 1. Why is loving our enemies so important to God? (See: Matt. 5:9, 44-45, & 48) What keeps us from loving our enemies? How can we balance avoiding abuse, drawing healthy boundaries, and yet not abandon the call to love our enemies? How does loving our enemies help us grow into being “perfect” (complete, mature, grown-up) like our Father? 2. Maturity as a believer involves being “steadfast” (see: James 1:2-4) and being people of “love” even when it’s difficult (see: 1 John 4:17-20). How do these 2 work together in our lives to grow and mature us in our faith? How can loving our enemies actually help us grow closer to God? (example: that’s what He does, and we can rely on Him to help us become like that too) 3. What role does forgiveness play in loving our enemies? On Sunday, Pastor Jake said forgiveness isn’t complicated, but it’s really hard - what does that mean to you? Why is forgiveness such an important key to loving our enemies? 4. How can prayer help us to forgive our enemies and learn to love them well? How can prayer help us change the cycle of bitterness and how we think about old wounds from others? What can we learn from Jesus on the cross about prayer and forgiveness (see: Luke 23:34)? 5. Consider the passages on the power of a small amount of faith removing trees & mountains (see: Luke 17:3-6 / Mark 11:20-25). Seeing these examples in the proper context describing the importance of forgiveness, does that change how you see exercising miraculous faith? Have you ever viewed un-forgiveness as an obstacle to miraculous faith? Why is forgiveness such an important part of growing in faith?