Pastor Brian left his heart on the table this morning. This is the first time the word peace has appeared in the book of John, and we were led deeper into the understanding of what it means to embrace the Third Way of being Jesus followers in a time of division.

Read

27 "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard Me tell you, 'I am going away and I am coming to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me. 31 On the contrary, [I am going away] so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do. "Get up; let's leave this place."

Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…‍

Examine

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you."

• Jesus is the giver of peace.

• Do you struggle to believe that Jesus has peace for you in this season?

• Do you believe there can be peace in the middle of chaos? Have you ever experienced that before? Share.

‍"Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. "

• Why do you think its easier to be troubled and fearful than peaceful?

• What fruit does fear produce? Peace?

“Get up; let's leave this place."

• Comfort and security are not destinations Jesus leads his followers into.

• What is unknown in your life that Jesus may be asking you to step out in?

• Stand up. Follow me. Do those directives excite you or scare you?

Apply

"Empathy is feeling other people's feelings for them." Does empathy come naturally to you? If not, in what ways could you pray for God to increase your empathy for those who are suffering?

‍"You can walk in peace." Peace isn't passive, it is active. How do you walk out peace in your life? How have you not?

‍"Flourishing and shalom is different for black people." What is your first response to that statement?

Act

Carry peace. Say this out loud: Lord, I want to walk in your peace.

Create space. Say this out loud: Jesus, clear my mind of racism and replace it with unity.

Call down heaven. Say this out loud: Lord, give me a glimpse of eternity today and help me reflect it in my real life.

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