2025
RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD IN THE NEW YEAR.
Key Verse: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
This Week: 2nd Month, 3rd Week - Feb 23, 2025
Theme: – Living In Peace "A"
Memory Verse: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18
Objective: By the end of the lesson, peaceful living should be effortlessly imbibed by the reader and should be part of him if he so desires.
Content:
Introduction:
Living in peace involves a heart attitude and lifestyle that align with God’s teachings. You need to understand that real peace comes from God, thus,you must trust in God’s sovereignty. Pursue peace with others, practice forgiveness and reconcile with people who have issues with you. Control Your Words and Actions, In words and deeds, be a peacemaker, have humility and patience. Pray for Peace in your space, the country and the world. Avoid strife and quarreling, focus on righteousness. Now let's look at the key points in the main lesson.
This lesson will be broken into 3 parts to be treated in 3 weeks.
This week we shall look at 3 out of the ten discuss points of this topic.
Main Lessons:
1. Peace Comes from God
(a) Recognize God as the source of peace:
(i) Isaiah 26:3 – "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."
(ii) Philippians 4:6-7 – "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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."
(b) Let Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace control your life.
(i) Isaiah 9:6 – "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
(ii) John 14:27 – "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."
(c) Reconcile with God to find lasting peace.
(i) Romans 5:1 – "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
(ii) Colossians 3:15 – "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
(d) Live your life in God’s Peace
(i) Psalm 29:11 – "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."
(ii) 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."
True peace is not just the absence of trouble but the presence of God’s assurance, comfort, and guidance in our lives.
2. Trusting in God’s Sovereignty.
Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He is in complete control over all things — past, present, and future. The Bible repeatedly affirms God's absolute authority over creation, history, and human affairs. Here are key biblical considerations on this topic:
(a) God's Sovereignty Over Creation: Genesis 1:1 – "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Everything in existence were created by God, showing His supreme authority over all creation. Psalm 135:6 – "The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths." God's will is accomplished everywhere, demonstrating His power and control.
(b) God's Sovereignty Over Human History and Nations: Daniel 2:21 – "He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." God directs the course of history, appointing and removing leaders according to His purpose. Proverbs 21:1 – "The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Even rulers and governments operate under God's sovereign hand.
(c) Trusting in God's Sovereignty in Difficult Times: Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Even in suffering, God is working for the ultimate good of His people. Job 42:2 – "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted." Job acknowledges that God's plans are unstoppable, even in the face of suffering.
(d) God's Sovereignty in Salvation: Ephesians 1:11 – "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." Our salvation is part of God’s sovereign plan. John 6:37 – "All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." Jesus affirms that salvation is under God’s sovereign control.
(e) Responding to God's Sovereignty with Faith and Trust: Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Trusting in God's sovereignty means submitting to His plan, even when we don’t fully understand it. Isaiah 46:9-10 – "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’" God's sovereign purpose will always prevail.
3. Pursue Peace with Others.
The Bible calls believers to actively pursue peace with others, reflecting God’s character and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of righteousness, love, and reconciliation.
(a) God's Call to Pursue Peace: Romans 12:18 – "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Peace requires effort on our part, we must do our best even if others resist. Hebrews 12:14 – "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Peace and holiness go hand in hand; a godly life fosters harmony with others.
(b) Jesus, the Prince of Peace: Matthew 5:9 – "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." True children of God actively work toward peace. John 14:27 – "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." Jesus provides inner peace that enables us to extend peace to others.
(c) Overcoming Conflict with Love and Forgiveness: Colossians 3:13-15 – "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Peace requires patience, forgiveness, and love. Proverbs 15:1 – "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Responding with kindness helps prevent and resolve conflict.
(d) Reconciliation and Making Peace: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." As God reconciled us to Himself, we are called to be agents of reconciliation. Matthew 18:15 – "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." Peacemaking involves addressing conflicts with wisdom and love.
(e) Peace as a Mark of Christian Living: James 3:17-18 – "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." A peaceful life reflects godly wisdom. Ephesians 4:2-3 – "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Humility, patience, and love are key to maintaining peace.
Questions: Note your questions here
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