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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In a world that is marked by divisions, conflicts, and wars, what are the things that make for peace? The followers of Jesus Christ are to be a people who, instead of finding ways to divide people, look for ways to bring people together. As followers of Jesus, we are called to orient our lives around making peace and spreading peace wherever we go. And the foundation for peace is the gospel. The message of faith alone in Christ alone is the only foundation for true peace.
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. In your own words, how would you define “peace”?
2. What are some big issues today over which there is a lot of disagreement?
3. What divisions among different groups do you see in our society today?
4. What divisions among Christians do you see in our churches today?
5. Have you ever been part of a church that split up? What was the reason for the split? What was the result of the split? Briefly share your experience.
6. Is there a particular group with whom you find it difficult to relate? Why might that be? How might you learn to relate to them?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read Ephesians 2:11-22
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
• What does “circumcision” mean? Where does the practice of circumcision come from? Why was Paul addressing this issue here in verse 11?
• According to verses 11 and 12, what was the former condition of the Ephesians? Why do you think Paul is exhorting them to “remember” their past?
• What is the fundamental problem that Paul is addressing in this passage (verse 13)?
• What is the radical solution that Paul presents in verses 13-18?
• What are the new identities of those who are now in Jesus (verses 19-22)?
• Reread this passage. As you look back through your past, what is it that you remember of your former ways (verses 11-12)? Have you truly experienced Jesus as your peace (verse 14)? Have you truly embraced your new identity in Jesus (verses 19-22)? If you feel comfortable, briefly share.
3. Rich shared in his sermon that one of the things that make for peace is to give to the poor, as we read in Galatians 2:10: “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.”
• Why do you think financial giving to the poor brings peace?
• Have you experienced this in your own life?
• What are some ways that this small group can work together to financially give to the poor and those in need?
• What are some ways that this small group can work together to bring relief to those who have been devastated by the earthquake in Haiti?
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