More Peace for the Peaceless

ICEBREAKER
Would you rather be financially comfortable and routined with no adventure or be spontaneous and adventurous but always on the financial edge?

Today we’re talking about the biblical concept of Peace and how God provides more peace for the peaceless. It’s part of our Advent series at church called “More or Less.”

While Christmas is a beautiful, even magical time of the year, it doesn’t resolve all our conflicts, reduce our anxieties, or fill our lives with friends and cheer. In fact, in some ways it complicates life. The bottom line for this whole series is… “When there seems to be less, God has more.”

WATCH, STUDY, DISCUSS
Watch the Bible Project’s teaching video on “Peace.” You can find it on their website at BibleProject.com or on YouTube.

• Shalom, or peace, is not only the absence of conflict but the presence of connection and completion. What do we all need in order to experience shalom?

Read Isaiah 9:6-7 - The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the arrival of the Prince of Peace. His reign would lead to eternal shalom, righting all wrongs and healing all brokenness. Isaiah’s words are fulfilled with the arrival of Jesus. When Jesus is born, shalom is proclaimed. He is the King who brings peace and restoration to the broken fragments of our world.

• What words or phrases stand out to you as you observe this passage?
• Based on this passage, how does the Prince of Peace govern his Kingdom?
• How can you help bring about God’s peaceful rule in the places where you have influence?

TAKEAWAY
​Exercise. You’ll need paper and pen/pencil for each person. 

• What’s your peace quotient right now? Think of the following 5 areas of life and give each one a percentage (0% = No Peace, 100% = Full Peace). The 5 areas are 1) Purpose, 2) Place, 3) Provision, 4) Physical Health, 5) People.
• What can you change about this peace quotient and what can’t you change?

How can you find “Shalom/Peace” in your life even if the above areas don’t change?

​John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He must increase. I must decrease.” This week, how will you make your peace in God more important and peace in yourself, your circumstances, or others less important.

PRAYER
​First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.