April 2, 2023 - Sermon Notes & Questions
April 2, 2023

Blessed are the Peacemakers - Part II

Matthew 5:9

The goal as a peacemaker is to build and repair relationships with every person we can, between every person we can, and between every person and God.

7 step process for reconciliation
1. Go talk to them (Matt. 5:23-24)
2. Assume the best
3. Listen (James 1:19, Proverbs 18:13)
4. Apologize
- You are not responsible for someone else’s repentance, but you ARE responsible for your own repentance.
5. Be humble, but direct
6. Work on a solution
7. Love them anyway (Matt. 5:43-44, Rom. 12:18)

Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus toward us:
- He had no sin, but took the first step.
- He took the hits for things we did.
- He loved us anyway.

T.A.G Questions

(try these with new friends you meet after our service is done)
1. Icebreaker: What is one of your favorite peaceful spots in the world? (OR) Who is the most peace-filled person you know?
2. What are the qualities of a good referee? Why?
3. What did you learn from today’s message? How will you implement this truth? Pray for one another.

Community Group Discussion Questions

Leader: Have someone open your group discussion with prayer.
1. Icebreaker: Think back to a time when you had to be a “referee” for a sports event or a personal conflict. What mistakes did you make? What lessons did you learn?
2. How does being humbled by God help someone to be a better peacemaker? What about the opposite?
3. What are you most apprehensive about when it comes to serving as a peacemaker? How can the Holy Spirit help you?
4. (optional): If you are a follower of Christ, share the Lord’s Supper together, reading aloud from 1 Cor. 11:23-26
5. Break up into smaller subgroups to pray for each other’s needs.

Group Leadership Tips

  • Pray for your group before and after you meet. Prayerfully work through the questions and bible passage yourself before you meet.
  • At the beginning of your first time together, explain that these groups are meant to be discussions not lectures. Encourage the members of the group to participate. However, do not put pressure on those who may be hesitant to speak during the first few sessions.
  • Avoid answering your own questions. However, leaders may set the tone by occasionally sharing their own answers without dominating the time or the discussion.
  • Learn to accept silence in the group while they process your questions.
  • Appropriately call upon quieter members when they seem to have something to share.
  • Acknowledge and thank group members for their sharing. Redirect the group if they get off-topic too much.
  • Don’t be afraid of controversy. It can be very stimulating. If you don’t resolve an issue completely, don’t be frustrated. Move on and keep it in mind for later. A subsequent study may solve the problem.
  • You may need to divide the group into smaller subsets (men, women, pairs, etc.) to help the time and participation to flow.
  • If possible, the group host should not also be the group shepherd/facilitator. This helps the group to eventually multiply as it grows larger.
  • Look for ways to share the tasks in the group to help build a healthy discipleship culture. Look for the persons God may be leading to serve as apprentice hosts or shepherds.