Jesus commanded his followers to “love your enemies”, and yet Christian history is full of violence. Has Christianity been a major contributor to war? How have the followers of a crucified leader managed to get things so wrong?
This lesson takes a close look at what Jesus has to say when it comes to violence.
Introduce
Find & Contribute
Students find and share an image that they think describes Jesus’ attitude to violence. The images could be shared on a Digital Discussion Platform.
Share & Discuss
With a partner students share a time when someone wronged them, describing how they responded.
As a class discuss whether or not the statement “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” is justifiable and when it might be helpful.
Read & Respond
- Article: Flip the Script (5 min)
Students read the article and write a reflection on their reaction to the first story in the article.
Extension: Students find 3 other examples of ‘flipping the script’ and write a brief description of each.
Class Discussion
Display the Gandhi quote by J. Herbert Kane and discuss whether this is surprising or not?
Engage
Watch & Respond
Watch the documentary excerpt ‘Love Your Enemies’ (5:35) and answer the following questions:
- What was distinctive about Jesus’ teaching about the “Kingdom of God”?
- Why was Jesus’ message to “shun violence” so strange for those who first heard it?
- How did Jesus’ early followers respond to his command to “love your enemies”?
- Briefly describe Emperor Nero’s treatment of Christians as recorded by the historian, Tacitus.
- What is your reaction to this?
- How did Christians respond to Nero’s treatment?
Read & Discuss
Display the Ignatius quote. Students explain how these behaviours would have been counter-cultural in the Roman Empire.
Display the Cavanaugh quote and discuss what was so attractive about Jesus’ message of non-violence for these early Christians, and how the class feels about this idea.
Bible Study
Students read Matthew 5:9-10 and answer the questions:
- Who does Jesus call “blessed” in these verses?
- Why is it surprising for these categories of people to be called “blessed”?
Students read Matthew 5:38-48 and answer the questions:
- Explain Jesus’ teaching on how to respond when you have been wronged (v.38-42).
- Choose one word to describe your reaction to this teaching.
- Describe how Jesus wants his followers to treat their enemies.
- Outline the justification Jesus gives for this (v.44-45).
Students read Romans 5:6-10 and answer the questions:
- Who were Jesus’ enemies, and how did he show love to them?
- How might this teaching further motivate us to love our enemies?
Respond
Read & Reflect
Display the Ignatius quote so students can write a reflection on how following this advice would change their life.
Human Barometer Activity
Facilitate a Human Barometer Activity where students indicate their perspective on the following statements:
- “People should be able to ‘Love their enemy’”
- “’Turning the other cheek’ is a recipe for abuse”
Display the John Dickson quote and discuss why you think Christians sometimes fail to follow Jesus’ teaching on violence.
Compose & Record
Students plan and script a 30 second clip promoting non-violence in schools, addressing the types of violence and bullying they are familiar with. They can record it if time allows.
Extension
Students script a discussion between a Christian living under Emperor Nero and a Christian living under Emperor Constantine to show some of the changes in the way Christians thought about violence.
(This will work best if students have completed the ‘Just War’ lesson previously.)