
Unbound from Hatred: Loving Our Enemies
• Series: Unbound
Rev. Tish Bowman, Preaching Discussion Questions: 1. Who in your life do you find it hardest to love or forgive right now? What feelings or experiences make that difficult? 2. Can you recall a time when you responded to harm or hatred with love or forgiveness? What helped you do that? What was the outcome? 3. What does it mean to you to be "unbound from hatred"? How would your life be different if you truly lived this way? 4. How does Stephen’s response to his killers challenge your understanding of Christian love? In what ways does this passage stretch or affirm your faith? 5. Stephen looked to Jesus even in his final moments. What does it mean for you to “keep your eyes on Jesus” in situations of conflict or pain? 6. How do you see the Holy Spirit enabling forgiveness in this passage? Have you ever felt the Spirit helping you forgive or love someone difficult? 7. What examples from the sermon show how your church is living out love in the face of hostility? What can you or your small group do to support or expand this kind of ministry? 8. In what ways does modern culture encourage retaliation over reconciliation? How can Christians respond faithfully and courageously in such a culture? 9. Rev. Tish asked: “Do we trust this?” — the idea that love is more powerful than hate. Do you trust it? Why or why not? 10. What is one practical step you can take this week to embody Christ’s love toward someone who has hurt you or with whom you disagree deeply? Will you commit to it?