Choose Peace: Whole-Hearted Trust

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In a world that often seems chaotic, a deep settled peace may seem like a dream. Yet a precious title given to Jesus is Prince of Peace. Throughout the Word of God, peace is a recurring theme. Can a deep peace be ours in this life? Does it depend on our surroundings? Can we do anything to either hinder or bring peace into our daily lives? Take time out through this study to contemplate the promise of peace.

In our study of love and joy, we discovered that those qualities of the fruit of the Spirit are described in John 14-17. In John 14:23-27, Jesus talks about peace, the third quality of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians.

Read John 14:23-27 slowly a few times, and answer the following questions.

Questions to ponder: The first rule of philosophical discussion is: Define the terms under discussion. Before discussing peace, it is a good idea to seek to define it. Why not take some time to ponder some or all of the following questions, either alone, or with family or friends?
What is peace? What different types of peace are there? What definitions of peace to we see portrayed in the media? What prevents peace? What facilitates peace?

1. Who gives us peace? What type of peace does He give us?

2. What do you think Jesus means when he says: "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid"?

3. Can we be at peace if our heart is troubled and afraid? What should we do if we are in that situation? How do we not let our heart be this way?

4. Jesus Himself shows us the answer to that question in one of the most surprising passages in the Gospels: the description of his prayer struggle in Gethsemane. Read Mark 14:32-42 slowly a few times before answering the following questions. What does Jesus reveal to his disciples about his emotional state? What is the state of his heart?

5. Does he "let his heart be troubled"? What does he do about the state of his heart? How does he deal with it?

6. Hebrews 5:7-10 describes how Jesus prays in Gethsemane. Read it and describe how Jesus prayed when he was troubled and distressed. What evidence from the passage in Mark 14:32-42 indicates an intense struggle? What is your reaction to this description? Does it surprise you? Have you ever expressed yourself this forcefully and passionately before God?

7. Jesus invites his disciples to join him in praying. Why does Jesus want them to do so? Why don’t they? Did their coping mechanism bring them peace and prepare them for the battle ahead? Did Jesus'solution bring Him peace and prepare Him for the battle ahead? More thoughts...

(See Luke 22:45 for additional ideas.)

8. Does Jesus want us to use the same process He did to go from being troubled to being at peace? Describe the process. What will be the result of following this process? Why is thanksgiving an important aspect of this process? More thoughts...

Read Philippians 4:4-8 to see the process Paul recommends.

9. How do you usually try to cope with a troubled heart? Do you think of going to talk to God about your worries, your fears, your anxieties when you experience them? Do you feel free to express any and all of your emotions to Him? What might prevent you from doing so?

10. Are there any worries or anxieties weighing you down that you would like to present to God using the process discovered in Philippians 4:4-8? Why not take the time to do so right now, and ask God to free you to be real before Him?

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Tags: Bible, Bible studies, galatians, galatiansonlinestudy, life lessons, LifeLessons, peace, trust

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Choose Peace: Whole-Hearted Trust

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