Study Guide for

REBEL with a cause

Find PEACE when life is Stressful

June 28, 2009

Open Up

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the best known honors in international politics, even if the recipients are sometimes controversial.  If you were awarding a peace prize to someone you know personally, what would be your criteria: someone with a tranquil personality, someone who helps others resolve conflict, etc.?  Share your “nominee” and reasons with your group.

Dig In

(1) In the four years leading up to writing this letter, Paul had been on death row in prison, chained to an army guard, shipwrecked, snake-bitten, sick, and isolated. Somehow he still writes to the Christians in the city of Philippi about peace. Read Philippians 4:6-9.  Like the godly contentment we discussed in the previous study, godly peace is something we grow towards as we live more like Jesus.  What are some of the qualities and actions that can bring peace to our stressful lives?

(2) The evening before his crucifixion, Jesus talked about peace with his followers. Read John 14:1 and John 14:26-27 and John 16:33.  What are the differences between worldly peace and the peace that Jesus gives? OPTIONAL Because Jesus was both God and man, he experienced, first-hand, life’s extreme stress.  Read Luke 22:41-44.  What signs show the stress Jesus faced?  What was his attitude?  How can your group be “an angel from heaven” to help you when life is stressful?

(3) Prayer unlocks God’s peace, and also reminds us that God’s peace protects and guards us. Read Colossians 4:2-4 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.  Paul regularly asked for prayer, and in turn prayed for others.  When we pray for others, for what things do we usually pray?  What did Paul pray about, and for what did he ask others to pray for him? 

Work On

Early Christians were imprisoned by the Roman government.  What situations are people in your group facing that are symbolically shackling them with stress?  Are fellow group members able to “unlock” some of these situations through prayer or wise counsel?

Lift Up

Prayer is one of the “keys” to escaping from our worries and fears: finances, relationships, health, etc.  Ask for volunteers to pray aloud for the real-life stress situations that are chaining your group members.

Another Step – Advanced Study

God’s peace is not the same as Nobel Peace Prize diplomacy.  Read Jeremiah 6:13-15 and Matthew 10:34-39.  What do these verses say about seeking the wrong kind of peace, for example saying what people want to hear instead of telling the truth?  From these verses, how does a godly peacemaker differ from a worldly peacemaker?