Disciple Someone – Christ Commands

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 5:43–48

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

World English Bible

Luke

Luke 6:27–36

27 “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. 31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 36 “Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

World English Bible

Jesus contrasts ordinary reciprocal love with the Father’s kindness toward both the just and unjust, calling His disciples to a complete love that reaches beyond their own circle.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

What does Jesus command?
What does this passage reveal about Him?
Where do we resist this command?
What is difficult or unclear?
What does enemy-love require, and what does it not require, when harm, injustice, or unsafe behavior is present?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Name one person you experience as an enemy. Pray for that person by name and choose one safe, concrete act of blessing that does not deny wrongdoing or remove needed boundaries.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

How did praying or doing good affect your heart, and what boundary or pursuit of justice still needs to remain in place?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Father, give us the mercy you show so freely. Guard us from hatred, teach us to pray for those who oppose us, and give us wisdom to love without cooperating with evil.

Teach

Connect Jesus’ call to the Father’s indiscriminate kindness. Explain that enemy-love rejects hatred and revenge while remaining truthful about harm and justice.