Scandalous Love

On October 2, 2006, Charles Roberts burst into an Amish one-room schoolhouse in Lancaster Pennsylvania. He shot ten girls, ages 6-13, killing five, before committing suicide. Incidents like this make the news, but what kept this in the news was the response of the Amish. The Amish visited Charles Roberts family after the shooting to tell them they were extended forgiveness. Members of the Amish community visited Charles Roberts widow, parents and parents-in-law to comfort them in their loss. One Amish father held Charles Roberts' sobbing father in his arms for an hour. The Amish even set up a charity fund for Charles Robert's widow and children. Over 30 Amish attended Charles Roberts' funeral. When does this kind of love come from? It is scandalous. When the Amish were asked how they could forgive and love, they only had one name,… Jesus.

• Sermon Handout - PDF
• Life Group Work Sheet - PDF