35. Islam and love – Matthew 5:38-48
A.S.K. - 35
Read Matthew 5:38-48 and pages 147-150 of A.S.K.
Questions from the Bible reading
1. Where does “eye for eye; tooth for tooth” come from and what does it mean? (v38)
2. What does Jesus tell his followers to do in response to mistreatment? (v39-42)
3. Why does “love your neighbour and hate your enemy” sound like good advice? (v43)
4. Why does “love your enemy and pray for persecutors” sound like bad advice? (v44)
5. In what way does God, who is perfect, often treat those who go against him? (v45, 48)
6. Why is “loving those who love you” not very impressive? (v46-47)
7. What do you think Jesus might mean when he speaks of a “reward” for love? (v46)
8. Jesus describes his people being mistreated. Can you think of any examples from the Bible of the sorts of situations he is thinking of? (v39-42) Draw a picture, or write a summary, of them.
Questions from the book
1. If Christians do not love one another, what does that say about us?
2. What did the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate say about Christians?
3. Does the Quran have the same standard of love as Jesus displays? Or, if it’s different, in what way?
4. How does knowing God will judge all people one day help Christians to love their enemies now?
5. If a Christians feels unloved in their church, what should they do about it?
6. Write a prayer in which someone prays for help to love those who hurt them.
Questions to do at home
1. Ask a Christian you know to describe situations they’ve faced in which they’ve had to love an enemy.
2. Think about your reply to a friend who says to you, “Christians should never physically defend themselves.”
3. How should a Christian approach talking with a Muslim neighbour?