Live at Peace

August 26, 2006

CONNECTING with my Lord
In what specific ways has my Lord sought to provide peace in my life?

Why is my living at peace with Him, others, and myself so important to my Lord?

What one characteristic of my Lord has stood out to me during this study time?

CONNECTING into my Life
Am I currently living at peace with God? Explain. If not, what do I need to do to make things right?

Am I currently living at peace with others? If not, what do I specifically need to do this week to take steps at making peace?

What is a biblically based definition of “peace with myself”?

CONNECTING into my Church!
NOTE: Eph. 4:1-3 – Discuss how these words & phrases should impact our conflict resolution attempts with others:

Prayer Time: Pray for our church, ABF, families, individuals, to be Peacemakers!

Live at Peace
Living at peace is a key to our Christian witness.

1. The three dimensions of peace:

 Peace with GOD
Colossians 1:19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

 Peace with OTHERS – unity
Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

 Peace within OURSELVES
Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

Isaiah 48:18 "If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

* Inner peace is a by-product of being right with God and others.

2. Jesus’ REPUTATION depends on peace and unity in the church.
- John 13:34-35
- John 17:20-23

* It’s easy to confess the generals, but it’s hard to confess the specifics!

3. Jesus calls us to seek reconciliation AHEAD of worship.
- Matthew 5:23-24

4. Peacemaking shows that we take the GOSPEL seriously.
- Ephesians 4:1-3

5. Even our LAWSUITS should be resolved within the church.
- 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
FOCUS: The Power of Christ
* Living at peace is a key to our Christian witness!

END OF DVD – Open Discussion/Small Groups
CONNECTING IT! – GROUP DISCUSSION
Describe a time in your life when you have been most at peace with God:

Describe a specific time in your life when God’s Word had settled a struggle within yourself or with others:

Briefly explain a time when you were on the receiving end of someone seeking to make peace with you:

CONNECTING to the Word – Small Groups

Read Matthew 7:1-5 – How will following this principle help you to bring about peace in times of conflict?
 Deal with your problem 1st
 Set the pace/example of repentance
 Model restoration
 Humility is easier to respond to than pride!

What is the key ingredient when peace is not present?

• Proverbs 13:10 Through pride comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

What does ‘pride’ look like before, during, and after conflicts?
Before = justifying your position; focusing on the flaws of others
During = defensive, argumentative, blameshifting (Gen. 3), sinful anger, manipulation of the other person,
After = gossip, slander, bitterness, resentment, avoid the other

[WATCH “Repentance” from Peacemaker Parables.] Note: The Disc should be on your podium or in your wall file. FF to the case study, then engage in the discussion).

1. The Golden Result (a corollary of the Golden Rule) says that people will usually treat us the same way we treat them. How was this illustrated in this case study?

[his tone set the pace for her tone – she was wrong to respond the way she did, but HE set the pace by his words, attitudes, and facial expressions]

2. In a marriage, who has the 1st and highest responsibility to set the pace in making peace? Why?

 Husband – Eph. 5:25-29, plus the ‘headship’ of the home!

3. How does the wife’s response help/hinder the situation?

 She can help by controlling her tongue, taking care of her part of the problem, and respecting her husband (Eph. 5:33) and following the truth of 1 Peter 3:1-6 [Read if time!]

4. Why does Satan love to see Christians in conflict? How does he stir up conflict in the church?
[ruins the testimony of Christ, hinders the Gospel!]

5. Why do you think God commands us to seek reconciliation ahead of worship and to resolve lawsuits against others in the church instead of in court (1 Cor.6)? Why do so many of us ignore these commands?
[It’s hypocrisy to do otherwise, God is holy and full of grace; He seeks our restoration, we should seek others; the testimony of the power working in us]