Blessed are the Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9

The goal as a peacemaker is to build relationships and mutual appreciation with every person we can, between every person we can, and between every person and God. (Rom. 12:18, Matt. 5:22-24, Matt. 5:11-12)

We are peacemakers because God has made peace with us through the cross. (Col. 1:15-23)

Strategies For Resolving Conflict That Do Not Work:
A) Fight
B) Flight
C) Burying It (Heb. 2:14-15)

The Internal Issue: Sinful Reactions to Sin (Matt. 5:38-42)

The Internal Barriers to Peace: Self-righteousness, Fear of conflict, and Unforgiveness

Forgiveness:
A) We Must Forgive (Matt. 18:21-22, 1 Cor. 13:4-5, Eph. 4:31-32)
B) Forgiveness does not necessarily mean trust.
C) Forgive as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph. 4:32)

T.A.G Questions

1. What is one of the funniest or strangest un-peaceful times you’ve endured?
2. Peacemaking involves being a reconciler between people and between people and God. How has God helped you to grow as a peacemaker?
3. God’s children dwell in His shalom (peace) through faith in Jesus. In what areas of your life do you need more of God’s shalom? Pray with one another about these needs.

Small Group Discussion Guide

1. Leader: Have someone open your group discussion with prayer.
2. Icebreaker: What is something you enjoy making despite it being difficult?
3. How difficult is it for you to be a peacemaker in your world? Why?
4. Describe a time when you experienced God bringing His peace into what seemed like an impossible situation. How did it affect you?
5. How does Christian peacemaking relate to being a child of God?
6. How can Christians live as brave peacemakers in a sinful world?
7. Picture a situation which needs God’s peace. How may God be calling you to extend His peace there?
8. (optional): If you are a follower of Christ, share the Lord’s Supper together, reading aloud from 1 Cor. 11:23-26.
9. (optional): What is something from the sermon which deeply affected you?
10. Briefly pray for one another.

Small 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.