Opening
- What makes some people harder to love than others?
- Can you disagree with them and still love them?
Jesus expects His followers to show compassion and mercy to others.
Read Luke 6:27–31
“Agape” is the Greek word used by biblical writers to refer to unmerited love rooted in God’s character, We share that love with others because we have experienced it firsthand from Him. How does experiencing God’s love firsthand affect the way we love others?
- What makes praying for someone who mistreats us so difficult? What are some examples of prayers we should pray for those who curse us?
- What four specific actions did Jesus give His follows to carry out?
- How is our reaction to propel who ask for help a demonstration of our level of trust in God? How does our treatment of others reflect our understanding of the sanctity of all human life?
Read Luke 6:32–36
Contrast how Christians should act as compared with the world’s way of doing things.
- How can a wrong motive betray or spoil a good action?
- How is the believers‘s love and good works different from an unbeliever‘s love and good works? How does the love of Jesus enable a believer to show love to both the unbom and the person carrying the unborn?
Read Luke 6:37-38
- How does refusing to judge and choosing to be generous reflect God‘s character to the world? How could showing mercy draw someone to Jesus?
Application
- What are some tangible ways you and your Growth Group can show dignity and respect to the unborn? What obstacles will you need to overcome?
- How can you demonstrate God’s love and mercy when taking a stand for the unborn?
- How can We demonstrate Christlike character to all people?
- Examine your motives for standing for the unborn or for not doing so. How can you more fully align your motives with the motives of Jesus?