TODAY:

Advent: The Weary World Rejoices – PEACE

BIG IDEA:

The peace of Jesus is meant to rule the hearts & minds of His followers

SCRIPTURES:

Luke 2:6-14, Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 91:1-6,9-12,15-16, John 14:27, Colossians 3:15(5-15)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q: How would you define peace?

Q: How “peaceful” of a person would you say you are? Why?

Q: How do the Scriptures/concepts from this week help you grow as a disciple who loves God, loves people & serves the world (lives on incarnational mission) in everyday life?

Q: Based on these Scriptures, how can you move from unbelief to belief, from just knowing to actually doing in your life?

Connect with God (UP)...

Q: Why do you think peace within and between His followers is so important to Jesus?

Q: Do you feel like you’re “at peace” with God? Why or why not?

Q: How can you let Jesus make His peace the ruling force & fortress of your life?

Connect with Others(IN)...

Q: Why is true peace within the Body of Christ so important?

Q: What does it look like for the peace of Jesus to “ref” our interactions as a church & with other followers of Jesus?

Connect with the World (OUT)...

Q: In Colossians 3:5-15 Paul talks about taking off & putting to death our “earthly nature” & putting on the “new self”. How/why do the old things take away peace? How does the new things bring true peace?

Q: How can we live this out in a compelling way for the world to see the difference that Jesus makes?

ACTION STEPS

1) Intentionally give Jesus’ peace authority to rule over areas where you have conflict internally &/or externally

2) Increase awareness of where we want to argue with or fight back against Jesus’ peace in our hearts, minds & lives