A Sunday School Lesson On Peace

Here is a Sunday school lesson or Bible study on the subject of peace.

Peace and a Sword

Matthew 10:34-36 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.”

If we truly understand the gospel, we should realize it will offend lost people but that’s not our problem. We must unashamedly proclaim it as commanded (Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). We know that Paul was “not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16) but Jesus assured us, “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt 10:22) because “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matt 10:24). “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household” (Matt 10:25) so we should understand that we will not be at peace with the world nor they with us, but the peace we seek is that from Jesus or the peace of God (Rom 5:1).

How can Jesus give us peace but did “not come to bring peace, but a sword?”

Why are they “set against” their father, daughter, mother, son, and in-laws?

Will everyone who lives a godly life suffer persecution or just some (2nd Tim 3:12)?

The World’s Peace

First Thessalonians 5:3-4 “While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.”

Paul had been reminding the church to be “fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1st Thess 5:2) and “you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness” (1ST Thess 5:5) so we must “keep awake and be sober” (1st Thess 5:6b). Some of the greatest wars in human history have come after they were saying “There is peace and security,” as if their famous last words. “That day” will surprise most people but thankfully, “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us” (1st Thess 5:9-10a). We need to worry about being at peace with God because world peace between nations is anything but “peace and security.”

Do you remember any peace treaties being broken (i.e. with Native Americans)?

How do most “peace treaties” between nations usually turn out?

What does Paul mean that Jesus’ return will “surprise you like a thief?”

Jesus’ Peace

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

We have read that the peace of the world is not permanent. That peace is, at best, is only a “temporary truce” which will never last because it’s in our nature to go to war (James 4:1-3). When Jesus was about to go to the cross and then return to the Father, He knew that the disciples hearts were troubled. He knew that they had no peace about it, so Jesus tells them that He will leave them His peace and that peace will remain forever. It’s unlike any peace offered by and the world. That’s why they don’t have to be troubled or afraid.

What is the “peace with the world” mean that Jesus?

Is Jesus’ peace the same as Paul writes about in Romans 5:1-10?

Can you have peace and fear at the same time?

At Peace with God

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

It is impossible to have the peace of God until you are first at peace with God and this is possible only because it was “Through him we have also obtained access by faith” (Rom 5:2). We can be at peace with God because, “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:2), “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). You are now at peace with God if you’ve repented and trusted in Christ (Mark 1:15; John 3:16) and all condemnation has been lifted (Rom 8:1).

Is peace with God possible any other way (John 14:6)?

Have you ever rejoiced “in hope of the glory of God?”

Do you believe you are at peace with God?

Not knowing the way of Peace

Romans 3:17-18 “and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Paul almost seems to be quoting Isaiah the Prophet who wrote “The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace” (59:8). As we have read, the world can only have a temporary, finite peace but “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:165). This says that if we love God’s law, we love God, just as Jesus said “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus says that “in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Where there is no fear, there is no obedience. When there’s no fear of the law, there is little obedience. I fear getting speeding tickets so I slow down and obey so the fear of God and obedience are necessarily connected. It is similar to my fear of higher car insurance rates makes me obey the speed limit.

Is fear a good thing for the right reason?

What happens to society when no one fears God anymore?

Why haven’t they known “the way of peace” (Isaiah 59:1-4, 8)?

Conclusion

I urge you in your study to look at all of the Bible verses and read them aloud in the class so that you can get the most out of this lesson on peace. Jesus said a lot about peace and one of the main things was that “in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He “will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18) but in fact, “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Now that should give you a lot of peace.

How can you have peace “in” Jesus (John 16:33)?

Do you have the peace of God?

What has changed in your understanding about peace in the Bible?

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.