May-June 2006 Syllabus Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Lesson 8
A Wonderful Gift
As we continue our study of "peace", let us savor the wonderful blessing of peace, and what it means to Christians, those who have exclusive claim to it. As you read the following passages think about "peace" in terms of "the sense of rest and contentment that comes from being reconciled to God; of being in a harmonious relationship with Him"
Get A Good Night’s Rest
1. I will both lie down in _________ and sleep; For you alone O Lord, make me dwell in ___________ . (Ps.4:8)
2. Contrast that to: Is. 48:22 " There is ____ peace," says the Lord, "for the _______.""
3. Read Ps.23 and think how it contrasts with Is. 59:8---The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways: That have made themselves _________ ___________ ; whoever takes that way shall not __________ __________ .
4. For to be carnally minded is _______, but to be spiritually minded is _______ and ________ . (Rom. 8:6)
Great Peace
5. _________ peace have those who ________ your law. And __________ causes them to stumble. (Ps.119:165)
Inward And Outward Peace
God’s peace includes outward as well as inward peace.
6. When a man's ways _______ the Lord, He makes even his ____________ to be at peace with him. (Pr. 16:7)
A thought to ponder: In our last lesson on peace, we learned that "Christ came not to bring peace, but a sword," and that sometimes a person’s greatest enemies will be their own family. That sounds like a contradiction with the above passage, doesn’t it. If we look at it more closely, we can understand that it is not.
The "sword" is the "Word of God". The "sword" that will cause us to have an enemy in one situation, will destroy enmity in another. Consider again the Apostle Paul, who was once an enemy of God and all Christians. There was no peace between Paul (Saul) and God/Christians for he sought to kill Christians.
Yet the Sword (God’s Word) destroyed the enmity in His heart and he became God’s friend and a friend to all Christians. Hence, God caused a man’s enemies to be at peace with him. (Prov. 16:7)
Do You Have Perfect Peace?
What is the quality of the peace given to those who trust God? Is it limited or flawed?
7. You will keep him in ________ peace , whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You. (Is.26:3)
Considering further this perfect peace given to those who trust and obey Him:
8. Be ____________ for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let you requests be made known to God; And the peace of God which ________ all __________, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
9. What is the prescription given by God in Phil. 4:8-9 that will enhance our peace?
Trusting God and Doing Good Give Us Peace
10. ________ in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and_____ on His faithfulness. (Ps. 37:3)
11. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the ________ of your heart. (Ps. 37:4)
12. __________ your way to the Lord, ________ also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. (Ps. 37:5)
13. He shall bring forth your ________________ as the light, And your _________ as the noonday. (Ps. 37:6)
14. _________ in the Lord, and ________ patiently for Him; Do not _________ because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings _________ schemes to pass. (Ps. 37:7)
15. Cease from ____________, and forsake _________; Do not fret--it only causes ___________. (Ps. 37:8)
16. For ____________ shall be cut off; But those who _______ on the Lord, They shall inherit the _______. (Ps. 37:9)
17. For yet a little while and the_________ shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his _______, But it shall be no more. (Ps. 37:10)
18. But the _______ shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of _________. (Ps. 37:11)
19. The wicked plots ________ the just, And gnashes at _______ with his teeth. (Ps. 37:12)
20. The ______ laughs at him, For He sees that his _____ is coming (Ps. 37:13)
Is Your Heart Troubled?
21. As Christ said to His disciples, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be ___________, neither let it be _____. (John 14:27)
Peace Like A River
22. Oh, that you had _______ My commandments! Then your _______ would have been like a _________, and your ______ like the ______ of the sea. (Is. 48:18)
23. Therefore, having been ________ by faith , we have ______ with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:1)
Go For Peace
Should we lazily sit around waiting for peace to engulf us?
24. "... ________ peace and _______ it." (Ps. 34:14)
25. Thought question: Considering what we have learned about peace, how would one "pursue peace"?
26. What should rule in our hearts? (Col.3:15-17)
Can You Picture Life Without Peace?
Perhaps as Christians we take our peace for granted. The following passages describe hearts void of peace. These verses may cause us to treasure our peace more, or on the other hand, to grow concerned if we are not doing all we can to maintain our peace with God.
Read and describe the absence of peace revealed in each passage. Also, tell what caused the absence of peace in each one:
27. De. 28:15-68
28. Ps. 38
29. Ec. 2:26
30. Is 57:19-21
31. Lam.5
31. Re. 14:9-13
32. Je. 14:19
Peace And Joy
They Go Together Like A Horse And A Carriage
Multi- Millionaires and kings would give half their possessions to have an abundance of love, joy and peace. Yet these fruits can never be bought and only God's true children can really claim them.
Love, joy, and peace must always be accompanied by their companions: patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Because multi-millionaires and kings have little use for the latter, they will never possess the former.
Bright Elusive Butterflies
Let us live our lives so that we can experience love, joy, and peace to their fullest.
They may be elusive butterflies to the rich and famous, but they are ours in rich abundance and there is no limit to the quantity we may possess. They are yours forever if you are a child of God!