THE PATHWAY OF PEACE
THE PATHWAY OF PEACE
We are in a world that seems to be experiencing more and more unrest. Health unrest, financial unrest, relational unrest, and mental unrest. Yet during this unrest is a promise Jesus made to his disciples, which is much needed today. ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.’ Now is the time to understand the meaning of this promise because it is now that peace is needed in our hearts most.
REFLECTION
Share what God revealed to you or something that resonated with you from Sunday’s message ‘The Pathway of Peace’.
SCRIPTURE
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
For many of us, peace can mean the absence of conflict or trouble. While this is the Greek definition of peace ‘without war’, there is more Jesus is talking about here. The peace that Jesus was talking about means rest, quiet or stillness of heart. it is not the absence of trouble, but it exists despite trouble.
Let’s look at a couple of ways we can choose a pathway of peace.
Peace is the outcome of God rich environments
The environment we surround ourselves with plays a crucial role in shaping how we feel. By positioning ourselves in God rich environments such as being in the presence of God, engaging in worship in a church community, and being involved in a group, we set ourselves up to experience a move of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
It is in God rich environments that people are restored, healing take place, faith is enlarged, and peace is poured out.
The challenges we face today need Gods peace, and the people around us need is to be peace carriers and the environment we’re in is key to our pathway of peace.
Peace is experienced when we position the past behind us
It is so important to let go of past hurts, disappointments, mistakes, or regrets. Whether they are personal failings, unresolved issues, or painful memories, holding onto the past hinders our ability to experience God’s peace in our present.
Positioning the past behind means making a conscious choice to focus on the present and future, allowing God to bring healing and restoration.
Read Philippians 3:13-14 ‘Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’
Discuss the idea of leaving the past behind and embracing the forward-looking perspective of the Apostle Paul.
When we go through life, there will be moments of anxiety, worry and fear. Jesus does not want us living in fear, so he offers us a remedy for it…peace.
DISCUSSION
Share about the importance of having a strong foundation of peace in our lives?
Our foundation affects not only us but also those who follow us.
Consider if people were to follow you, where would they end up?
Following Jesus goes beyond salvation, discuss how Jesus calls us to live.
Scripture Ref: Galatians 5:22.
Discuss how God’s peace surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and how the lack of peace can affect our wellbeing.
Share of a time that you experienced God’s peace during unrest.
ACTION
The pathway of peace comes from giving every situation to God in prayer. When we do this, God’s peace shuts out the anxiety and fear in our life.
- This week practice handing over to God every moment that comes up presenting itself as worry, fear, nervousness, or anxiety.
- Practice resting in God knowing that He is in control and that He will carry us through any situation that life has to offer.
- Surround ourselves in God rich environments. Get around people who are close to God.
- Position ourselves in the presence of God and not in our the past.
Closing prayer: Pray for each other and your journey in building a strong foundation of peace.
Jesus doesn’t just leave us peace. He wants us to live in peace!