It Takes a Village Week 2

 

 

Welcome to It Takes a Village 2! Pastor Josh challenged us right away with some amazing concepts about peace. He gave us some great tools in how we can bring peace to the “Village” that we live in!

 

–       What is the biggest mess you’ve ever cleaned up? Was the clean-up done with anyone else? Describe the stress that you faced during that clean-up.

 

–       How apt are you to take on other people’s emotions in a moment of crisis? At work? In relationships?

 

Going Deeper

Read the following text from today’s message. “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.” Luke 10:5-6

–       Do you know anyone in your life that seems to bring peace with them wherever they go? Share how you have seen them affect people.

 

–       Pastor Josh challenged us to imagine a “Village” that is a carrier of peace and he asked the following question, “How can we actually transfer peace to those that need it most?”

 

***For Leaders – You can’t give something away that you don’t have so if we want to be people of peace…a village of peace…who spread peace, we first must get it for ourselves. Giving it away will come naturally and almost without effort, but getting peace requires being deliberate. See the following question!

 

–       How do we get “Peace” in our lives? Read each of the Scriptures and share how God instills his peace in us.

 

John 14:1-4 (***For Leaders – PEACE is found in faith AND eternity. Our mistakes here are not fatal as this world is not ultimately our home.)

 

Col 3:16 (PEACE is found in thanksgiving. Gratefulness is a decision before it is an emotion. You can’t “wait to feel grateful” or it will never happen. Gratefulness is a disposition of the heart that needs to be deliberately nurtured so in the midst of your trouble and your anxiety, you attack it through thanksgiving.)

 

–       Go through the following exercise with the group and give examples how this can play out in your life. If you were in the following situations below, what would it look like if…

 

…you’re anxious because of financial strain and you start with being thankful for your current provisions. (***For Leaders – ask them what they what current provisions they would be “deliberately” thankful for if they were in a financial strain. For example – “If I was in a financial strain right now, I would thank God that I have a car that could still be fixed, a roof over my head in an apartment that I may not like much and I’m thankful for food in the refrigerator because I know they have very little food and heat in Ukraine.)

 

…you’re anxious for a work promotion and you decide to be thankful for your current position.

 

We must spend time with God to walk in and experience His peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7

 

–       Where is the place that you eliminate distractions and pursue His presence? If this is not something you do, where would be the best place to start and why would it work for you?

 

***For Leaders – Pastor Josh described how working was his place where listened to worship, Scripture and was away from his phone.

 

Closing Prayer

 

Take some time to transfer peace to one another in prayer! This is a special moment so do not rush! Peace be with all of you!