Peace is Here - MSQ
Part of Peace on Earth
December 24, 2023

PEACE (5).png

Peace is Here - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

God foretold that God would become a man thousands of years ago—the incarnation. This reveals God’s plan and assures that his plan is still unfolding in real time. In Numbers 6:24-26, God commanded Aaron, through Moses, to bless the people. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Given about 1,500 years before Christ, this blessing is yet another foreshadowing of the incarnation of God, Messiah Jesus. The word “bless” means to kneel or, in this case, to show respect. In this passage, it means to bring a gift to another while kneeling out of respect. God promised to give something of great value (Jesus our Savior, forgiveness and eternal life). The word “keep” means to guard and protect the flock. God promises to protect His people and bring them safely into His eternal kingdom. The word “face” reflects the idea of “presence” or the “wholeness of being” of an individual. Jesus is God with us. And “shine” here means to give light and equates to bringing order as light illuminates or reveals what has been dark—illumination of sin and the cleansing of sin through Jesus’ substitutionary death. “Gracious” means favor and again a gift usually undeserved. And the Lord turning his face means to look His people straight in the eye. The gift of redemption is direct, personal and unwavering. And to give “peace” (shalom) again means to give completeness, health, and welfare. Because of Jesus, His people are made complete and are at peace with God.

  1. Can you share the ways you celebrate Christmas (habits/traditions) that make you feel closer to God?

  2. What are some ways God protects you today?

Consider This

Jesus Christ has already granted believers the blessings of the Aaronic Benediction on a permanent basis. Our direct experience can fluctuate over time, but this blessing should remind us of what we have in Christ. It can also be a prayer for a fuller understanding of God’s blessings in Christ and for the feelings that accompany that understanding.

  1. Why do you think people give gifts at Christmas? What do they represent with respect to the incarnation?

  2. Jesus was also called “‘Immanuel,’ which means God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

    • How was God with his people on that first Christmas?

    • How is God with his children in this world today? (John 14:15-21)

    • How will he be with his children in the world to come? (Rev. 21:3-4)

  3. How can we have peace with God according to Romans 4:25-5:1?

  4. How did the apostle John react when he saw the glorified Jesus face to face? (Rev. 1:12-18)

    • As a believer, how do you think you will respond when you see Jesus face to face?

    • How can you prepare yourself for that event?

  5. Do you consider that God is your friend today? Why or why not? (see John 15:13-15)

  6. How does God protect His people today? Believers hope and pray for physical protection and yet, God hasn’t promised that.

    • What has God said about believers according to John 16:33 and 2 Timothy 3:12?

    • What has God also promised in terms of protection according to Romans 8:36–38)?

    • In 2 Timothy 4:18, the Apostle Paul asserted that God would bring him safely into His heavenly Kingdom. How did God accomplish that?

  7. Read John 8:12 and explain what this verse means to you. What does light do for us?

  8. How complete do you feel in your relationship with God? How does God see you?

Moving Forward – Application

“Pease (Shalom) is a complex word, including the concepts of completeness, friendship, and peace with God and man.” The Wycliffe Commentary.

  1. How can you be a more complete Christian person this week?

  2. Are there any friendships or other close relationships that you need to rekindle, fix, or reinforce this week?

  3. What about your friendship with God? How can that be strengthened?

You too can have God’s peace in the difficult twists and turns of life, and actually experience courage, peace and even joy because: “… be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5bc-6 NLT)