The Path To Peace

Goals for this Week’s Study:

  • Reflect on the Prayer Activity from last week. Talk about what God revealed to you last week or over the past week, and how knowing helped you in your journey to Purity.
  • Review Sunday Morning’s Message.
  • Help group members (especially new members) get to know one another.

Getting Started:

Open your group with prayer.

SHARE: Since we are talking about the Shoes of Peace in the Armor of God this week, share an answer to one or all of the following:

  1. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
  2. What was your favorite pair of shoes you’ve ever had?
  3. What’s the largest amount of money you would spend on shoes? Why?

Scripture: “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” – Ephesians 6:10-15

“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.” – Psalm 85:8

 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Sermon Notes: Take time to let everyone share some of the notes they took or anything that stood out to them from the message. Use this time to get everyone in your group talking (a good tip for this situation would be to go around the room and have everyone share one thing that stuck out to them from Adam’s sermon)! Keep in mind, not everyone may feel comfortable talking yet, so try your best to help assist them in any way you can!

Study Questions

  1. On a scale from 1-10 (1 being not that important as long as you can wear them everyday, 10 being someone who is absolutely obsessed with shoes), how important are shoes to you? Why?  
  2. What made shoes so important to include in the “Armor Of God”? (They give us traction and the ability to stand in the midst of battle)
  3. Pastor Adam talked about how Peace isn’t a feeling it’s a person. Is this any different than the belief you’ve previously held about Peace? Explain.
  4. According to a study from 2008, only 35% of Christians believed that Satan was real. How can knowing he’s real and knowing that he will do anything he can to try and separate you from Jesus effect how we approach each day? (How much more intentional would you be about being battle ready?)
  5. Has there ever been a tough experience that you’ve had to go through that has lead to Peace?
  6. Is there something that you are going through now that’s making the idea of Peace seem distant?
  7. How big of a role does prayer play in finding Peace? Is there a way you can improve your prayer life this week?
  8. What are some other ways besides prayer that we can use to truly pursue Peace in our lives this week?

Final Thoughts:

  • God didn’t create us to walk around in defeat!
  • Peace is a person and His name is Jesus!
  • Peace is not an absence of conflict, it’s the absence of fear.
  • God uses conflict as a conduit for peace.
  • There’s a difference between fact and truth!

 

Pray Over Your Group! 

Pray specifically that all group members are able to embrace and focus on God’s peace rather than the facts of this world. Pray for opportunities for each member to share the Good News of the Gospel and for the opportunity to show others Christ through our story/lives! 

Zach Hacker