Have you ever wished you could choose your family members? Maybe you’d pick a less annoying little brother. Or a sister who actually shares her clothes with you. Maybe for you it would be parents who had fewer rules. Regardless of what your “ideal” family might look like, we all know that we can’t choose our family. And even though we think things might be easier if we could, the truth is that, when it comes to family, there’s always going to be conflict. Why? Because the closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to fight. That’s just part of it! But we have the ability to make a powerful move in our relationships that can push us away from conflict and bring us back to resolution. Jesus points us towards exactly what we can do to promote peace in our relationships. And, even though it might not be easy, it’s the move that has the power to change our families for the better.
Share a high and a low from the past week.
Who’s your favorite movie villain?
Who’s your favorite movie villain?
Matthew 5:43-44 (NLT)
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
What do you love most about your siblings? (If you don’t have a sibling, talk about the friend or cousin you’re closest with.)
What drives you crazy about your siblings?
When your siblings make you angry, how do you usually respond?
When you’re an adult, what do you want your relationship with your siblings to be like?
How can praying for your siblings make your relationship with them better?
What’s one way you’d feel comfortable telling or showing your siblings that you love them?
This week, what’s one thing you can do to be more forgiving to your siblings?
CATECHISM CONNECTION
This Week Pastor Steve joined us for Communion. Take a look at the Communion section of the Catechism and read it together. Communion is all about forgiveness, how God forgives us, and how that frees us to forgive others. It’s not easy, but it’s needed, for them and for us!
What drives you crazy about your siblings?
When your siblings make you angry, how do you usually respond?
When you’re an adult, what do you want your relationship with your siblings to be like?
How can praying for your siblings make your relationship with them better?
What’s one way you’d feel comfortable telling or showing your siblings that you love them?
This week, what’s one thing you can do to be more forgiving to your siblings?
CATECHISM CONNECTION
This Week Pastor Steve joined us for Communion. Take a look at the Communion section of the Catechism and read it together. Communion is all about forgiveness, how God forgives us, and how that frees us to forgive others. It’s not easy, but it’s needed, for them and for us!
O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your forgiveness. Inspire us to seek your enduring justice for this suffering world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. AMEN.
Mark the Cross of Christ on each others foreheads as a remembrance of your baptism and say these words...
"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."
"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."
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