Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan

This lesson plan on loving your enemies helps youth understand how to love others, even those who have hurt them. In our world, conflicts are common, and it’s easy to develop hard feelings toward those who oppose us. This lesson plan teaches young people to soften their hearts, letting go of anger and learning to forgive.
This plan encourages youth to reflect on their own lives and the people they struggle to love. It helps them see that forgiveness is a process, not something that happens overnight. By following the steps, they learn to take small actions that lead to a greater understanding of what it means to love as Jesus taught.
The lesson also shows that loving your enemies is not about excusing bad behavior or pretending everything is okay. Instead, it’s about freeing your heart from the burden of hatred and opening it to God’s grace. This plan gives youth the tools they need to grow in this area.
Finally, the lesson plan reminds young people that love is stronger than hate. When they choose to love their enemies, they become closer to God and experience true peace. This transformation isn’t easy, but it leads to a deeper relationship with Christ and a more joyful life.
Opening Game for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
Begin by playing the Change My Heart Relay Race Game. You can find the directions here.
Changing the heart from stone to candy in the game was fun and pretty easy, right? But when it comes to changing our own hearts, it’s not so simple. However, this is exactly what Jesus calls us to do.
Scripture Reading for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
Read the Gospel:
Luke 6:27-38 (Jesus us tells us to love our enemies) – the Gospel Reading for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
Luke 6:27-38
Discussion for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
There is a lot of conflict in our world today. When we think about enemies, we often imagine people in far-off places, like another country waging war against us or terrorists who might try to harm us. These are the obvious enemies, the ones we hear about on the news. But the concept of enemies goes much further than that.
In today’s world, enemies can be much closer to home. Think about the culture wars we hear so much about. People on opposite sides of an issue get so caught up in their arguments that they start to see those who disagree with them as enemies. They may not attack with weapons, but they attack with words. They use social media, news outlets, and even conversations with friends to tear down those on the other side. They twist facts and spread rumors. They act out of anger and a desire to win at all costs. In this way, they become enemies to each other without even realizing it.
But enemies can be even closer than that. An enemy could be someone you know personally. It might be someone who gossips about you, makes fun of you, or excludes you from a group. It could be a former friend who has betrayed you, turning their back on you when you needed them most. These personal enemies can cause the most pain because they are so close to us. We trusted them, and they hurt us deeply. This kind of betrayal can make our hearts harden and fill us with anger and resentment.
In this Gospel, Jesus is inviting you to do something that feels almost impossible—He is asking you to love your enemies. This includes the enemies who are far away, those who have power and influence in society, and those personal enemies who have hurt you deeply. Jesus doesn’t just suggest this; He commands it. But how can we possibly do that? How can we love people who have caused us so much pain?
Jesus understands that loving your enemies is difficult. When we are around our enemies, our hearts naturally want to protect us from further harm. We might feel like we need to build a wall around our hearts to keep them out. We might even want to make them feel the same pain they caused us, hoping that this will somehow make things right. But Jesus shows us a different way. He invites us to look at our enemies through His eyes, with a heart full of mercy and forgiveness.
The key to loving your enemies is found in the last part of the Gospel reading: “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you.” Jesus is telling us that the way we treat others will be the way we are treated. If we want to receive mercy, we must show mercy. If we want to be forgiven, we must forgive.
This change of heart is not easy, but Jesus reminds us that we also need mercy and forgiveness. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Our hardened hearts need to become open and loving. Our vengeful hearts need to become forgiving.
Take a moment to think about a time when you did something wrong and were forgiven. How did it feel to receive that forgiveness? Did it lift a burden from your heart? Now, think about the fact that God loves your enemy just as much as He loves you. It might be hard to believe, but it’s true. God is gathering all of His children to Him, not just the people we love. There is no one whom God will not forgive. That is why He asks you to love your enemies.
This kind of change of heart takes work. It is very difficult to love your enemies, and it doesn’t just happen overnight. But there are steps you can take to move in the right direction.
First, acknowledge that your pain is real. It was not right for the other person to hurt you. Forgiving them does not mean that what they did was okay. Spend some time talking to Jesus about how hurt you are. He understands your pain and wants to help you heal.
Your wound may have a lasting impact on your life, and you might carry it for a while. Remember that after the Resurrection, Jesus still carried His wounds. He showed them to Thomas as proof of His love and sacrifice. Talk to Jesus about your wounds and ask Him to help you carry them with grace.
Ask God for the desire to forgive the person who hurt you. You may not feel like forgiving them right now, and that’s okay. Keep asking God for the desire to forgive, and over time, He will soften your heart.
We often feel a strong need to be “right” and for others to acknowledge that we are right. But God sees everything and will deliver justice on His own terms. Surrender your need for revenge and offer your anger to God as a sacrifice of love.
Remember, forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. You do not need to continue a relationship with the person who hurt you. Stop waiting for them to repent before you forgive. Holding onto that expectation will only hold you hostage. Withholding forgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It will only harm you.
Finally, remember that you are also a sinner and have hurt others. Just as you need forgiveness, so do they. When you find yourself thinking about the person who hurt you, and you start to feel anger or a desire for revenge, talk to Jesus instead. Tell Him about your pain and ask Him to help you love your enemies.
Small Group Reflection Questions for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
In small group discussions, encourage everyone to share their thoughts and feelings openly. Remind the group that this is a safe space where everyone’s opinions and experiences are respected.
Give time for participants to reflect and respond. Allow each person to speak without interruption, and encourage others to listen carefully. If someone is hesitant to share, gently invite them to contribute, but respect their choice if they prefer to pass. The goal is to help everyone explore the topic of loving your enemies in a meaningful and supportive environment.
- How does loving your enemies help you grow in your faith and relationship with God? Reflect on how this challenging command can bring you closer to Christ and deepen your spiritual life.
- What does the phrase “love your enemies” mean to you personally? Reflect on how you understand this command from Jesus. Have you ever tried to put it into practice?
- Can you think of a time when you considered someone an enemy? What made them an enemy in your eyes? How did you feel about them, and how did you respond to the situation?
- How do you think Jesus wants us to handle situations where we feel wronged or betrayed? What are some practical steps you can take to respond with love instead of anger?
- Why do you think it is so difficult to forgive those who have hurt us? What makes forgiveness challenging, and what might help us overcome those challenges?
- How does knowing that God loves your enemies as much as He loves you change your perspective? Does this make it easier or harder for you to consider forgiving them? Why?
- Have you ever experienced forgiveness from someone else? How did that affect your relationship with that person? How did it make you feel?
- What role does prayer play in the process of loving your enemies? How can prayer help you move toward forgiveness and love for those who have hurt you?
- Do you think it’s possible to love your enemies without reconciling with them? Why or why not? What might this look like in a real-life situation?
- What are some small actions you can take this week to begin the process of loving your enemies? Think of specific steps you can try, even if they seem difficult.
Challenge for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
This week, take some time to reflect on the state of your heart. Consider the ways in which it might be hardened by anger, resentment, or pain, especially toward someone who has hurt you. Ask yourself what changes need to happen for your heart to become more open, loving, and forgiving.
Begin by praying for that person who has caused you pain. It might feel difficult at first, but bringing them to God in prayer is a powerful step toward healing. Ask God to help you see them as He does—with compassion and understanding. Pray for the grace to forgive, even if that forgiveness feels impossible right now.
Throughout the week, if you find yourself dwelling on the hurt or thinking negatively about this person, turn those thoughts into a conversation with Jesus. Instead of letting anger or bitterness take root, speak to Jesus about your feelings. Tell Him about your struggles, your pain, and your desire to forgive. Ask Him to help you carry this burden and to fill your heart with His love and peace.
Remember, forgiveness is a journey, and each small step you take brings you closer to the freedom and healing that God desires for you.
Prayer for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
Conclude your session by inviting everyone to bring their hearts before God in prayer. Offer a time of open petitions, where group members can share specific intentions related to loving their enemies and seeking the grace to forgive. Encourage everyone to voice their struggles and desires for healing, especially in situations where they have been deeply hurt. After sharing these petitions, unite the group in a moment of prayer, asking God to guide and strengthen each person as they strive to follow Jesus’ command to love their enemies.
To help focus your prayers, you can use the Prayer for Someone Who Has Hurt You. This prayer is a way to ask for God’s grace in forgiving those who have wronged us. It also helps us to open our hearts to the healing love of Christ. You can find the prayer with a printable copy at this link. As you pray together, ask God to transform your hearts, fill you with His peace, and help you love as He loves.
More Resources for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
Themes for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
- Forgiveness and Mercy: Jesus calls us to forgive others as God forgives us. Loving your enemies means showing mercy, even when it’s hard. This helps us live out the teachings of Christ.
- The Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated. Loving your enemies is part of this command. It reflects God’s love for all people, even those who wrong us.
- Overcoming Hatred: Hatred can consume us if we let it. Loving your enemies helps us break free from anger and bitterness. This leads to a more peaceful heart.
- Imitating Christ: Jesus loved His enemies, even on the cross. We are called to follow His example. Loving your enemies brings us closer to Him.
- Breaking the Cycle of Revenge: Revenge keeps us trapped in a cycle of hurt. Loving your enemies means letting go of the desire to get even. This allows healing and peace to begin.
- God’s Universal Love: God loves all of His children, even those who sin. By loving your enemies, we participate in God’s universal love. This shows that everyone is valuable in God’s eyes.
- Humility in Action: Loving your enemies requires humility. It means admitting that we are also in need of forgiveness. This humility opens us to God’s grace.
- True Peace: True peace comes from loving others, not just those who are easy to love. Loving your enemies helps us experience the deep peace that Christ offers. This peace transforms our hearts.
- Trusting in God’s Justice: We often want to see justice done our way. Loving your enemies means trusting God to handle justice in His time. This trust frees us from carrying the burden of vengeance.
- Spiritual Growth: Loving your enemies helps us grow in our spiritual life. It challenges us to go beyond our natural instincts. This growth brings us closer to living as true disciples of Christ.
Background Material for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
Loving your enemies is a central teaching in the Catholic faith, deeply rooted in Scripture and the life of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke (6:27-28), Jesus directly tells us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. This teaching challenges us to rise above our natural instincts for revenge and instead respond with love and mercy. It is not an easy command to follow, but it is essential for living a Christian life.
The idea of loving your enemies is not only found in the New Testament. The Old Testament also speaks of the importance of mercy and kindness. Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” This passage highlights that showing kindness to enemies is not just about helping them but also about transforming their hearts.
Jesus exemplified this teaching throughout His life, especially in His Passion and Crucifixion. Even as He was being nailed to the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus did not just tell us to love our enemies; He showed us how to do it. His example is the model we are called to follow.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church further emphasizes the importance of this command. In paragraph 2844, it states, “Christian prayer extends to the forgiveness of enemies… Forgiveness is a high point of Christian prayer; only hearts attuned to God’s compassion can receive the gift of prayer.” This reminds us that loving our enemies is deeply connected to our relationship with God. It is through prayer and aligning our hearts with God’s compassion that we can find the strength to forgive and love those who have hurt us.
Loving your enemies is also closely tied to the idea of mercy, which is a cornerstone of Catholic teaching. In the Beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Showing mercy to others, especially our enemies, is a way of participating in God’s divine mercy. When we show mercy, we reflect God’s love and bring His grace into the world.
The Catholic Church teaches that loving your enemies is not about excusing their wrong actions or pretending that the hurt they caused doesn’t matter. It’s about choosing to respond with love instead of hatred. It’s about freeing ourselves from the burden of anger and allowing God’s grace to work through us. This kind of love is not easy, but it is transformative.
St. John Paul II also spoke about the power of forgiveness and loving your enemies. After an attempt on his life in 1981, he forgave his would-be assassin. He later visited the man in prison, offering his personal forgiveness. This powerful act of love and mercy became a witness to the world of the strength that comes from following Jesus’ teaching.
In summary, the command to love your enemies is a vital part of Catholic teaching. It is rooted in Scripture, lived out by Jesus, and reinforced by the teachings of the Church. It calls us to go beyond our natural inclinations and to respond to hurt and injustice with love, mercy, and forgiveness. By doing so, we not only follow Christ’s example but also draw closer to God and open our hearts to His transformative grace.
Music Suggestions for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
- Can We Love? by Tom Booth
- Forgiveness by Matthew West
- Ubi Caritas by Bob Hurd
- When You Forgive Someone by Need To Breathe

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
If you’re looking for more lesson plans like the “Love Your Enemies Lesson Plan on Conversion of Heart,” visit our website. We offer a variety of free resources designed to help teachers, youth ministers, and catechists guide young people in their faith journey. You’ll find reflections, activities, and other tools to make your lessons engaging and meaningful. Check out our free lesson plans to support your ministry.
Questions and Answers for the Loving Your Enemies Lesson Plan
What does loving your enemies mean?
Loving your enemies means showing kindness, mercy, and forgiveness to those who have hurt or wronged you. It is about choosing to respond with love instead of hate, just as Jesus taught.
Why is loving your enemies important?
Loving your enemies is important because it follows the teachings of Jesus. It helps us grow closer to God and frees us from the burden of anger and hatred. It also reflects God’s love and mercy.
How can I love someone who has hurt me?
Loving someone who has hurt you is difficult. Start by praying for the person and asking God for the strength to forgive. It may take time, but God’s grace will help you heal and learn to love.
Does loving your enemies mean I have to be friends with them?
No, loving your enemies does not mean you have to be friends or stay close to them. It means letting go of hatred and wishing them well, even if you keep your distance.
Can I still be angry and love my enemies?
Yes, it’s natural to feel angry when someone hurts you. Loving your enemies means not letting that anger control you. It means choosing to forgive and respond with love instead of holding onto anger.
What if my enemy doesn’t change or apologize?
Loving your enemies is not about their actions; it’s about your response. Even if they don’t change or apologize, you can still choose to love them by forgiving them and letting go of resentment.
How does loving your enemies bring me closer to God?
Loving your enemies brings you closer to God because it follows the example of Jesus. It opens your heart to God’s grace and helps you live out His teachings of love and mercy.
What if I find it too hard to love my enemies?
Loving your enemies is challenging, but God understands your struggle. Pray for help and take small steps toward forgiveness. Over time, God’s grace will strengthen you to love as He calls you to do.
Is loving your enemies the same as forgiving them?
Loving your enemies includes forgiveness, but it also involves showing kindness and mercy. It’s about having a heart that wishes well for others, even those who have hurt you.
How does loving your enemies help me grow spiritually?
Loving your enemies helps you grow spiritually by challenging you to live out the teachings of Christ. It stretches your heart to love more deeply and brings you into a closer relationship with God.
Conclusion
This lesson plan on loving your enemies is designed to help youth understand the importance of loving those who have hurt or wronged them. This lesson plan draws from Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel of Luke, where He calls us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and forgive those who mistreat us. It emphasizes that loving your enemies is not just about excusing bad behavior, but about freeing our own hearts from anger and bitterness.
The lesson plan encourages young people to reflect on their own lives and identify those they consider enemies. It guides them through the process of forgiveness, helping them to let go of the desire for revenge and instead choose to respond with love and mercy. The plan provides practical steps for students to follow, including prayer, reflection, and small acts of kindness.
Loving your enemies is a difficult but essential part of living a Christian life. By following this lesson plan, youth will learn that this kind of love is possible with God’s help. It will bring them closer to God, deepen their spiritual lives, and help them experience the peace that comes from living out Jesus’ teachings.
Your Turn
Try this lesson plan on loving your enemies in your classroom or youth group. It’s a great way to help young people learn about forgiveness and mercy. After using it, share your own variations and notes in the comment section. Your insights can help others make the lesson even better. Loving your enemies is challenging, but this lesson plan can make a big difference in the lives of those you teach. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!
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