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: 3rd Month, 1st Week - March 2, 2025
Theme: – Living In Peace "B"
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 2nd part treating another 3 (4, 5 & 6) out of the ten discuss points of this topic.
MAIN LESSONS.
4. Forgiveness and Reconciliation:
Forgiveness and reconciliation are central themes in the Bible, reflecting God's love and His desire for restored relationships. While forgiveness is commanded, reconciliation depends on both parties and is an important step in healing broken relationships.
(a) God’s Forgiveness as Our Model: Ephesians 4:32 – "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Our forgiveness of others should mirror God’s forgiveness toward us. Colossians 3:13 – "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." God's forgiveness is unconditional and complete; we are called to do the same.
(b) The Call to Forgive Others: Matthew 6:14-15 – "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Forgiveness is necessary for our own spiritual well-being. Luke 17:3-4 – "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them." Forgiveness is continuous and not limited by the number of offenses.
(c) Reconciliation: Restoring Relationships: Romans 12:18 – "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." While we are called to pursue peace, reconciliation requires effort from both sides. Matthew 5:23-24 – "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." Reconciliation is so important that Jesus commands us to seek it before worship.
(d) The Role of Love and Humility in Forgiveness: 1 Peter 4:8 – "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Love enables us to overlook offenses and seek peace. Philippians 2:3 – "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Humility helps us seek forgiveness and reconciliation instead of pridefully holding grudges.
(e) God’s Ultimate Example of Reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus, setting the example for us to reconcile with others. Romans 5:10 – "For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" If God reconciled us when we were His enemies, we should be willing to reconcile with others.
5. Control Your Words and Actions.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of self-control in both words and actions. Our speech and behavior reflect our character, and as followers of Christ, we are called to exercise wisdom, restraint, and love in all we say and do.and
(a) The Power of Words: Words have the power to build up or destroy, to heal or wound. The Bible warns against careless speech and encourages wise and gracious words. Proverbs 18:21 – "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Our words can bring life (encouragement, truth) or death (harm, discouragement). James 3:5-6 – "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." James compares uncontrolled speech to a destructive fire, showing the importance of taming our words. Ephesians 4:29 – "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Our words should edify and strengthen others rather than harm them.
(b) Speaking with Wisdom and Restraint: Proverbs 10:19 – "Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues." Sometimes, silence is the best response. Colossians 4:6 – "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Our speech should be gracious and wise, reflecting God’s truth. James 1:19 – "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Listening before speaking helps prevent unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings.
(c) The Importance of Controlling Actions: Our actions reveal the state of our hearts. As believers, we are called to live with self-control, reflecting Christ in our behavior. Galatians 5:22-23 – "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and essential for Christian living. Proverbs 25:28 – "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." A lack of self-control leaves us vulnerable to sin and destruction. 1 Corinthians 9:27 – "No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." Paul emphasizes the need for discipline in both words and actions to remain faithful.
(d) Acting with Love and Integrity: Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Our actions should reflect God’s love and lead others to Him. Romans 12:21 – "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." We should respond to wrongdoing with righteousness and grace. 1 Peter 2:12 – "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." Our actions should be a testimony of Christ’s work in us.
Controlling our words and actions requires discipline, wisdom, and reliance on God. By following biblical principles, we can reflect Christ in our daily lives, build up others, and live in a way that honors God.
6. Be a Peacemaker.
The Bible teaches that being a peacemaker is a mark of true godliness. Jesus Himself is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He calls His followers to actively pursue peace in their relationships, communities, and the world. Being a peacemaker does not mean avoiding conflict at all costs, but rather working toward reconciliation, justice, and harmony rooted in God’s truth.
(a) The Blessing of Peacemakers: Matthew 5:9 – "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Peacemakers reflect God’s character and are recognized as His true children. Romans 12:18 – "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." We are responsible for doing everything we can to promote peace, but peace is a two-way process.
(b) Peace Comes from God: 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." True peace is not merely the absence of conflict but comes from a relationship with God. 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." When we trust in God, we experience a deep, lasting peace that equips us to spread peace to others.
(c) Peacemaking Requires Humility and Forgiveness: 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." Peacemaking requires humility, patience, and love. 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." Forgiveness is a key part of peacemaking, just as God forgave us through Christ.
(d) Resolving Conflict God’s Way: 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." Biblical peacemaking involves addressing conflict directly and privately, seeking resolution with love. James 1:19-20 – "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." Listening well and controlling anger are crucial for promoting peace.
(e) Peacemakers Promote Justice and Righteousness: 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." True peace is rooted in righteousness, not compromise with sin or injustice. Proverbs 16:7 – "When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them." When we live righteously, God can even turn our enemies into allies.
(f) The Ministry of Reconciliation: 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 believers, we are called to bring people to reconciliation with God and with each other. Hebrews 12:14 – "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Peacemaking is tied to holiness and our witness for Christ.
Being a peacemaker is a vital calling for every believer. It reflects God’s heart, strengthens relationships, and brings His peace into a broken world. True peace comes from God, and as His followers, we are to spread that peace through our words, actions, and pursuit of reconciliation.
Questions: Note your questions here
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