The Good Life: Peacemakers
Sermon Study Questions
August 15/16, 2015
The Good Life: Peacemakers
Sermon Study Questions
August 15/16, 2015
1. Read Matthew 5:1-12, then reread verse 9. Recall from the previous
messages in this series that the Beatitudes are not things that you are
necessarily supposed to be trying to do, but rather they are the
characteristics that develop and appear in a person in whom the Holy Spirit
is working, according to God’s Kingdom. Write out your definition of the
word “peacemaker.”
1. Read Matthew 5:1-12, then reread verse 9. Recall from the previous
messages in this series that the Beatitudes are not things that you are
necessarily supposed to be trying to do, but rather they are the
characteristics that develop and appear in a person in whom the Holy Spirit
is working, according to God’s Kingdom. Write out your definition of the
word “peacemaker.”
2. Read Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7, and John 1:12. From these verses,
who are the “sons of God” that Jesus is referring to in Matthew 5:9?
2. Read Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7, and John 1:12. From these verses,
who are the “sons of God” that Jesus is referring to in Matthew 5:9?
3. In the Bible, we find many references to peace. One of the titles that
Jesus bears is “Prince of Peace,” and it is an essential and dynamic part of
His identity. In this world, however, nothing is so fleeting, so impossible to
attain, as peace. Matthew 24, in fact, assures us, prophetically, that war
and conflict will increase in the world until the return of our “Prince of
Peace.” Many political leaders around the world seem to seek it and work
towards it, and many do not. Where does this desire come from?
3. In the Bible, we find many references to peace. One of the titles that
Jesus bears is “Prince of Peace,” and it is an essential and dynamic part of
His identity. In this world, however, nothing is so fleeting, so impossible to
attain, as peace. Matthew 24, in fact, assures us, prophetically, that war
and conflict will increase in the world until the return of our “Prince of
Peace.” Many political leaders around the world seem to seek it and work
towards it, and many do not. Where does this desire come from?
4. As Pastor Gibson points out, the peace that Jesus is teaching about is
relational, both our relationship to The Father, and also our relationship to
one another.
a. Can you name a relationship in your life that needs a peacemaker?
4. As Pastor Gibson points out, the peace that Jesus is teaching about is
relational, both our relationship to The Father, and also our relationship to
one another.
a. Can you name a relationship in your life that needs a peacemaker?
b. What would it take to bring peace to that relationship?
b. What would it take to bring peace to that relationship?
c. What are you willing to do to help make that happen?
c. What are you willing to do to help make that happen?
5. What are the differences between the type of peace that the world
seeks and the peace that Jesus is referring to in the Beatitudes?
5. What are the differences between the type of peace that the world
seeks and the peace that Jesus is referring to in the Beatitudes?
6. Reread Matthew 5:3-9. It is possible to see how these verses are likely
connected to one another in a sort of progression. How might verse 9 relate
to some of the verses that come before it?
6. Reread Matthew 5:3-9. It is possible to see how these verses are likely
connected to one another in a sort of progression. How might verse 9 relate
to some of the verses that come before it?
7. In all of history, Jesus Christ is truly the ultimate peacemaker. Explain how
this is true.
7. In all of history, Jesus Christ is truly the ultimate peacemaker. Explain how
this is true.
8. With His example in mind, how can you, as one individual follower of
Christ, help bring peace into your world?
8. With His example in mind, how can you, as one individual follower of
Christ, help bring peace into your world?
The Good Life: Peacemakers
Jacob Gibson
August 15/16, 2015
The Good Life: Peacemakers
Jacob Gibson
August 15/16, 2015
Text: Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Text: Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Three Implications that Jesus makes:
1. The peace Jesus is talking about is relational peace, not calm and quiet.
2. We have a lack of peace relationally somewhere in our lives. Where is your
lack of peace?
3. We have an active part to play in the process of peacemaking.
Three Implications that Jesus makes:
1. The peace Jesus is talking about is relational peace, not calm and quiet.
2. We have a lack of peace relationally somewhere in our lives. Where is your
lack of peace?
3. We have an active part to play in the process of peacemaking.
What does it mean to be a Peacemaker?
What does it mean to be a Peacemaker?
Peacemakers _________________________________________________.
Peacemakers _________________________________________________.
- Peace is not winning
- Peace is not avoidance or absence of boundaries
- True peace is reconciliation and harmony between you and God and you
- Peace is not winning
- Peace is not avoidance or absence of boundaries
- True peace is reconciliation and harmony between you and God and you
and others.
and others.
Peacemakers _________________________________________________.
Peacemakers _________________________________________________.
- Pain, insecurity, ignorance, but most likely pride keep us from desiring
- Pain, insecurity, ignorance, but most likely pride keep us from desiring
peace.
- Humility leads us to learn, listen, pray, and act honestly.
- Peacemakers turn from pride and turn to humility.
peace.
- Humility leads us to learn, listen, pray, and act honestly.
- Peacemakers turn from pride and turn to humility.
Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up
anger.”
Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up
anger.”
Peacemakers __________________________________________________ .
Peacemakers __________________________________________________ .
- Being “named” after someone described who you came from and what
- Being “named” after someone described who you came from and what
you were like.
- To be named a child of God means that peacemakers come from God.
- If we come from God, we will love people as He loves them.
you were like.
- To be named a child of God means that peacemakers come from God.
- If we come from God, we will love people as He loves them.
Where is your lack of peace, and how will you change to become a
Peacemaker?
Where is your lack of peace, and how will you change to become a
Peacemaker?