Sermon Response Guide

Sermon Response Guide En Español

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8 – 14

Key Points

• Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of something else – the presence of someone else.
• Disruption precedes peace.
• Peace comes when you encounter Jesus as:
  1) your Savior
  2) your Messiah
  3) your Master

Memory Verse

Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:

“I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace.”
- John 14:27 MSG

Questions for Reflection

Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
 
1: True biblical shalom (peace) refers to an inward sense of wellness and wholeness. How does “peace” take on a new meaning for you when you reflect on the biblical Hebrew word, shalom?
 
2: Why do you think Jesus chose to speak peace to his disciples as his parting gift to them in John 14:27?
 
3: How are you pursuing peace in your own life these days? Are you seeking the absence of something/someone, or the presence of something/someone?
 
4: How have you encountered Jesus as your Savior in 2020? What role did peace play in that encounter?
 
5: How have you encountered Jesus as your Messiah in 2020? What role did peace play in that encounter?
 
6: How have you encountered Jesus as your Master in 2020? What role did peace play in that encounter?

7: Jesus came to be our Savior, Messiah, and Master forever and always. As you reflect on who Jesus has been for you in the past, and you look forward to what lies ahead, who do you need to let Jesus be for you today? Why do you think you have struggled to embrace Jesus as your Savior, Messiah, or Master lately?

Pray

Lord, we confess that apart from you, we have no peace. Apart from you, we are neither well, nor are we ever whole. Jesus, we believe you came to bring peace on earth to each one of us. You alone are our peace. In you, we are truly well. In you, we are forever whole. Because you came to make yourself at home with us, we will always have peace.