Single lesson
Loving Enemies and Responding to Harm
Matthew 5:38–48
Jesus teaches his listeners to answer harm and hostility in a surprising way. In these verses he moves from payback to generosity, and from ordinary friendship to love, prayer and doing good even toward enemies.
Before you teach
In this part of Matthew, Jesus says, “You have heard ... but I tell you,” then gives examples about a strike on the cheek, losing a coat, being compelled to go one mile, lending, enemies and prayer. He points to the Father in heaven, who gives sun and rain to both the evil and the good.
Students will be able to name two ways Jesus calls his followers to respond generously and explain one safe, practical way to show love without joining in wrongdoing.
Welcome: From payback to Jesus’ way
5 minBegin by asking children what people usually mean by “getting even”. Read verse 38, then explain that Jesus answers that familiar idea with a different pattern. Tell the group this lesson is about generosity, love and prayer. Also say clearly that if someone is hurting them or others, they should seek help from a trusted adult. That safety step is a wise application, not part of joining in harm.
Matthew 5:38, Matthew 5:39, Matthew 5:44
Read and explain: Jesus’ surprising examples
7 minRead Matthew 5:39-42 aloud slowly. Point out the four examples Jesus gives: a strike on the cheek, someone taking a coat, being compelled to go one mile, and a person asking to borrow. Explain that in each case Jesus teaches a response that is not driven by revenge, but shows open-handed generosity.
Matthew 5:39, Matthew 5:40, Matthew 5:41, Matthew 5:42
Discuss: Loving enemies and praying for them
6 minRead Matthew 5:43-45. Help children notice the strong actions Jesus names: love, bless, do good and pray. Then notice why: Jesus points to “your Father who is in heaven”, who sends sun and rain on different kinds of people. Discuss safe examples such as refusing cruel words, praying for someone difficult, or asking an adult for help while still choosing not to seek revenge.
Matthew 5:43, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 5:45
Make and respond: Reminder card for one clear action
8 minChildren choose one phrase from the passage to copy onto a card, such as “love your enemies”, “do good”, “pray”, or “give to him who asks”. They add one realistic example underneath, like “I can pray instead of speaking cruelly back” or “I can share kindly”. Invite each child to explain how their choice connects to the passage.
Matthew 5:42, Matthew 5:44, Matthew 5:47
Closing: What makes Jesus’ way different?
4 minFinish by reading Matthew 5:46-48. Explain that Jesus says loving only friends is ordinary, but he calls his disciples further. In this passage, “perfect” points to the Father’s standard and fullness of love that Jesus has just described. Review: Jesus teaches love that reaches beyond friends, with prayer and goodness even toward difficult people.
Matthew 5:46, Matthew 5:47, Matthew 5:48
Questions to explore
In verses 39-42, which example most clearly shows giving more than people expect?
Listen for the details Jesus gives about the other cheek, the cloak as well as the coat, going two miles, or giving to someone who asks, and ask why each one sounds generous rather than revengeful.
Matthew 5:39, Matthew 5:40, Matthew 5:41, Matthew 5:42
What four actions does Jesus name when he speaks about enemies?
Have children find the verbs in verse 44 and say them aloud: love, bless, do good and pray.
Matthew 5:44
How does verse 45 help explain why Jesus tells his followers to love enemies?
Guide children to notice that the Father gives sun and rain to different kinds of people, so Jesus points to God’s generous character as the pattern.
Matthew 5:45
Make, think or respond
Key Verse Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- Index cards or paper
- Pencils or pens
- Crayons or coloured pencils
Try it together
- Read Matthew 5:42-45 together and let each child choose one short phrase from the passage.
- Write the chosen phrase clearly on a card.
- Under it, write or draw one safe, practical response that fits the phrase, such as praying, greeting kindly, sharing fairly, or telling a trusted adult when someone is unsafe.
- Invite children to hold up their cards and explain the connection to Jesus’ teaching.
The card helps children remember that Jesus calls his followers to give, do good and pray, even in difficult relationships.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three short phrase choices from the passage and let them draw their example instead of writing a full sentence.
- For older or more confident children, give a brief scenario and ask them to decide which verse best guides a safe response and why.
An optional closing prayer
“Father in heaven, please help us learn Jesus’ way. Teach us to be generous, to pray for people who are difficult, and to choose kind actions that fit his teaching. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 5
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
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 Classic. Public domain.