1. We have been given

God (which is different than the peace

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God.) (v.1; Colossians 1:19-20; Isaiah 53:5; John 14:27; Ephesians 2:12-14; Philippians 4:4-7)

2. We have been given God’s

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(

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privileges) in which we can

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. (v.2; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Corinthians 12:9; John 1:16; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 6:14, 11:6; )

3. We can rejoice in the glory of God - His

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at work in us now and being in His

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forever. (v.2; Romans 8:18, 9:23; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 2:10; 1 Peter 5:1; Ephesians 1:18)

4. We can even rejoice in the

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because God uses it to

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us. (vv.3-5; James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 4:17, 12:10; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 1:6-7, 4:13, 5:10; Philippians 3:10; Hebrews 12:11; Romans 8:28)

5. Christian

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is sealed by the

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of God and the indwelling

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. (v.5; Acts 2:38; 1 John 4:16; John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26, 16:13; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:13-14, 3:17-19; Jeremiah 31:33)

Taking it Further to Help You THRIVE…

1. Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

2. What is the difference between peace with God and the peace of God? How do we obtain each? Can we have the latter without the former? Does having the former mean we automatically have the latter? Explain.

3. Another benefit of being made right with God is the access we have been given to His grace. (Grace can be a ‘church word’ that we hear, but fail to understand.) Discuss as a group what the grace of God is. What does Paul mean when he says we stand in that grace?

4. Paul writes in verse 2 that “we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” One way to view this verse is to acknowledge that when this life, this world, its ups and downs, its situations and circumstances, (etc.) are over, we will enter into a promised eternity with Jesus! How does holding onto this reality change the way we live/view life’s circumstances today? Where in your life do you need to have more of this ‘eternal perspective’?

5. Paul tells us that we are to rejoice in our sufferings. Then, he lists the benefits of doing so. Why is it hard for us to rejoice in our sufferings? Why is it healthy? How have sufferings changed the church around the world (more specifically, the persecuted church)? How has a trial in your own life changed you?