The Biblical Theme Peace
Week 1 & 2 Intro Question:
This week we are talking about peace, the Hebrew concept of Shalom, which refers not to an essence of wholeness. The concept is so central to the Jewish faith that when they greet each other, they go further than asking “How are you?”. They ask, “How is your shalom?”, In English, How is your wholeness?”
So we want to start by asking you that tonight. How is your wholeness?
Week 1 & 2 Video:
Week 1 Group Question: Shalom, or peace, is not only the absence of conflict but also the presence of connection and completion. Who and what do we need in order to experience connection and a sense of completion?
Week 2 Group Question: Last week we discussed the broad concept of shalom and where we need to see shalom restored in the world. This week we are talking specifically about shalom within the body of Christ, within the groups of people who follow Jesus.
Have you experienced this wholeness in your spiritual experience before coming to Carroll? Would you use wholeness and connection to describe your faith community/experience or division?
Week 1:
Read: Luke 8:40-48
40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Leader: In this passage, we see how a woman found shalom in the midst of a chaotic crowd. As soon as she touched Jesus, she was made physically whole. Jesus recognized her faith in him and said, “go in peace,” or in other words, “continue to live in this whole and healed state.” In this story, the woman needed physical restoration and wholeness. But wholeness, or lack of wholeness, can affect other parts of our being as well. Where there is fragmentation in any part of our being, there is a wound of some kind, and it is a place where we need shalom to be restored.
Question 1:
Where do you need shalom to be restored in your body, mind, or spirit?
How can your community come around you in this area?
Consider how Jesus responded to the woman in need. Take a minute in your group to reach out to him in prayer. Ask for his shalom to meet you and your group where you are.
Question 2:
Consider your broader community for a moment. Where does shalom need to be restored? In the country?
Who should we, as a body, fight on behalf of that they may experience shalom (not sure of the wording here— feel free to make clearer If you can)
What practical steps can Cru take to bring connection and completion to these fragmented places and people groups?
Large group
Discuss question 2 together.
Pray at the end for Cru to be a place where people can experience shalom and where we fight for the wholeness of others.
Week 2
Read: Ephesians 2:11-18 11
So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. 12 At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, 15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Paul is addressing the division between two different ethnic communities, namely Jews and Gentiles. His point is that through Jesus, these groups have been brought together into one family. The hostility that once made it impossible for these groups to get along was put to death on the cross. In Jesus’ family, we have access to peace with God and with one another. Take time to meditate on this fact.
Question 1:
Read verses 11-13 again.
What is it like to be far away from God?
Jesus provided a way to bring us close to God. Consider your personal story. How did Jesus bring you to God?
What is it like to have peace with him?
Question 2:
We often use the figure of speech “a wall between us” to describe interpersonal conflict.
Consider one relationship in your life that needs peace.
Read verses 14 and 15 again, and then take a moment to imagine Jesus taking down the wall between you.
What does the scene look like after Jesus destroys the wall of hostility?
Question 3:
If Paul were speaking to different ethnic groups who follow Jesus today, in your opinion, would his message be similar or different?
MLK Jr. described Sunday morning as “the most segregated hour in America.” How do you think we work towards a future where this isn’t the case?
How do you think we work towards shalom among different races and ethnic groups who follow Jesus?
Large group
Discuss the last question: How do you think we work towards shalom among different races and ethnic groups who follow Jesus?