We all love to have the newest and coolest stuff. The upgraded iPhone, the newest fashion trend, the fastest model car—we’d all like to get our hands on the latest and greatest things on the market. And when we see people who have all the things we want, it’s easy to convince ourselves that we’d be happier if we could have what they had. But we’re going to let you in on a secret: most of the people you know who have all the things you want aren’t as happy as you think you are. In fact, some of them may not be happy at all. That’s because there’s only one thing truly happy people really need, and it isn’t something you can really even see. That one thing is peace. Peace is what all truly happy people possess, and the good news is that it’s available to us, too! As we look this week at the book of Matthew, we’ll find that not only does Jesus want us to have peace in our lives, but He also tells us exactly what we can do to get there. And as we heed his advice to take our eyes off of the what and focus instead on the who, we’ll find ourselves beginning to be transformed by the peace that brings true happiness.
Share a high and a low from the past week!
What are some ways people typically search for happiness?
Imagine your life sixty years from now. When you look back on your teenage years, what do you think will be the reasons for your happiness? What about your unhappiness?
God created you with the capacity for happiness. What does that tell you about God?
What are some ways people typically search for happiness?
Imagine your life sixty years from now. When you look back on your teenage years, what do you think will be the reasons for your happiness? What about your unhappiness?
God created you with the capacity for happiness. What does that tell you about God?
Matthew 22:34-39 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Greatest Commandment
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
The Greatest Commandment
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Think about times when you’ve had peace in your relationships with people close to you. What was happening? Why do you think you had peace with them in those moments?
What do you think it practically looks like to have peace with yourself?
When it comes to having more peace with God, self, or others, which area needs the most work for you right now?
Think of one person you want more peace with: name one way you can show love to them this week.
What do you think it practically looks like to have peace with yourself?
When it comes to having more peace with God, self, or others, which area needs the most work for you right now?
Think of one person you want more peace with: name one way you can show love to them this week.
Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
L: Go in peace, loving others.
C: Thanks be to God!
Mark the Cross of Christ on each others foreheads as a remembrance of your baptism and say these words...
"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."
C: Thanks be to God!
Mark the Cross of Christ on each others foreheads as a remembrance of your baptism and say these words...
"(Name) you are a beloved Child of God."
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