Loving like Jesus commands is challenging, in the best situations. Trying to love those who are a bit rougher around the edges, who respond with defensiveness, or perhaps even reject our attempts can become frustrating and even painful. Often, such experiences trigger our fears and insecurities. What if their ugly behavior triggers ugliness within us? In this episode, which is part one of a two-part conversation, Matt Maciera, the Executive Director of Be Bold Street Ministries, shares how God has given Him the courage, wisdom, and grace to reach out to those enslaved to darkness.

Find Matt’s Ministry:
https://www.beboldstreetministries.org
https://www.facebook.com/BeBoldStreetMinistry
https://www.instagram.com/beboldstreetministry/

Find Jennifer:
https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte
https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/

Find Wholly Loved, at:
https://www.WhollyLoved.com

Join the private Faith Over Fear Group Here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/442736966614671

Sign up to receive her 30-Day Fighting Fear emails here: https://bit.ly/3l1eAYs

Group Discussion Questions:

1.What resonated with you most in today’s episode?
2.Consider someone in your circle whom you find hard to love. What about them or their behavior do you find most challenging?
3.In what ways does that individual trigger feelings of insecurity?
4.How much of your difficulty, in regard to loving the person referenced in question two stems from your own fears and insecurities?
5.Why is prayer so important in our effort to live and love like Jesus?
6.Why is it important to recognize our propensity to misread situations when we are engaging those who are hard to love?
7.What role does prayer play in your interactions with the person referenced in question 2?
8.How might viewing your interactions as a personal learning experience help decrease your anxiety and increase your courage in relation to loving those who are hard to love?
9.Who is one person God wants you to reach out to this week?
10.What is one specific way you can show God’s love to the individual referenced in question 9?

Episode Image Credit: Getty/Tetiana Lazunova

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