September 22, 2013
Healthy Relationships Require Peace
Part 3, “Fresh Fruit” series
Series Theme Verse:
“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Gal. 5:22–23)
Peace = free from worry, agitation or strife; harmony in
personal relationships.
“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting,
with strife.” (Proverbs 17:1)
“A heart at peace gives life to the body…” (Proverbs 14:30)
I.
Add Peace by Working on Ourselves
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to
mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19)
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the
eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good.” (Romans 12: 17–18, 21)
II. Add Peace by Praying for Others
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)
III. Add Peace by Thinking Right
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything
is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you
have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into
practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8–9)
Right thinking brings peace and makes relationships flourish.
Wrong thinking causes strife and can destroy relationships.
IV. Add Peace by Learning from Discipline
“Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight
to your soul.” (Proverbs 29:17)
“‘… the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone
he accepts as a son.’ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating
you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? … Moreover,
we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected
them for it … No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace
for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:6–11)
Proper discipline involves loving and corrective training that
leads to maturity and responsibility. Discipline trains our
minds to resist wrong behavior and control our emotions.
This establishes respect and peace within relationships.
V. Add Peace by Knowing Jesus as Lord
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge
of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us
everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of
him…” (2 Peter 1:2–3)
September 22, 2013
Small Group Discussion Guide
Healthy Relationships Require Peace
Part 3, “Fresh Fruit” series
Ice Breaker: What are some ways you like to relieve stress?
1. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right
in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on
you, live at peace with everyone … Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12: 17–18, 21)
 Describe a time you wanted to repay someone evil for evil
but chose instead to do what was right? What was the
outcome?
 How can responding God’s way to relational strife bring
peace to your life and interactions with others? What are
some practical ways to do this?
2. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6–7)
 Tell of a time you prayed during a difficulty and experienced
God’s peace as a result. How might this be a catalyst for praying
for others to have peace in their circumstance?
3. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen
in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with
you.” (Philippians 4:8–9)
 What are some outside influences that can cause wrong
thinking? How might this kind of thinking lead to strife and
destroy relationships?
 What are some practical steps you can take to guard against
negative influences and put this passage into practice?
4. “‘… the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes
everyone he accepts as a son.’ Endure hardship as discipline;
God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his
father? … Moreover, we have all had human fathers who
disciplined us and we respected them for it … No discipline
seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who
have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:6–11)
 Describe a time when the fear of discipline kept you from
doing wrong or from losing control of your emotions.
 When have you experienced the benefits of righteousness
and peace as a result of God’s discipline?
How can we pray for you?