Bible Study: Week 3

This week we decided to discuss John 14:27--- PEACE.

John 14:27- I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid. (ERV)

The dictionary describes 'peace' as: a state of tranquility or serenity; freedom of the mind from annoyance, anxiety, distraction, obsession, etc.

The first thing a lot of us discussed this week was: what is the peace of this world? 

Most of us agreed on one thing: the peace of this world is temporary and the things we use to gain peace in this world are temporary too.

We read a thing online from the Foundations for Freedom that stated:

World's Peace vs. God's Peace

World's peace: 1) Dependent on feelings, 2) must be seen, 3) does not allow for troubles, 4) feels must manage situation, 5) tries to control, 6) ultimately fails

God's peace: 1) dependent on trust, 2) no need to be seen, 3) allows for troubles, 4) no need to manage situation, 5) trusts God to control, 6) always endures

We also shared a few verses concerning peace, anxiety, and resting in God.

Philippians 4:6-7: Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.

Matthew 11:28-30: Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30 Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.

John 16:33: “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”

Romans 8:6: If your thinking is controlled by your sinful self, there is spiritual death. But if your thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.

Romans 15:33: The God who gives peace be with you all. Amen.

1 Corinthians 14:33: God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace. This is the rule for all the meetings of God’s people.

Galatians 5:22: But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Philippians 4:7: And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.

1 Thessalonians 4:7: Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Mind your own business, and earn your own living, as we told you before.

During the bible study, we discussed the fact that peace requires work. It requires us praying consistently, reading the Word of God, asking God for His presence... Just as 1 Thessalonians just told us--- do all you can to live a peaceful life. Whatever it takes to be at peace in your soul. 

I shared a little bit of my own personal story--how peace seemed to evade me. I would pray and pray and ask God to help me overcome my fears and anxiety. At 19 years old, I didn't leave my house for almost 3 months. And at the age of 29, I became so overwhelmed with anxiety that I could barely get out of bed. While praying about these fears and asking God to heal me, I felt God telling me-- how in the world can I add peace and goodness in to your heart when it is so full of junk! Your heart is so full of sin that I can't fit the good things in there! You need to clean it out first....

And that's exactly what I began to do. Praying that God would heal my heart and clean out anything that was not like Him so He could fill it up with love, joy, peace, gentleness, a humble spirit.

Peace requires us getting rid of the icky things in this life-- it requires us to watch what we are listening to, be mindful of what we are watching on TV, be cautious of what we are seeing... 

We also shared a few quotes concerning peace.

"The enemy is not after your money or your stuff. He wants your mind, your attitude, your heart, your faith, your peace. Understand that you're not being attacked over the tangible things in your life. The enemy is fighting you over the things you cannot see."

"One of the happiest moments in life is when you find the courage to let go of what you cannot change."

Michelle gave each of us a poem that stated:

I asked for strength.. And God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom... And God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity... And God gave me a brain and energy to work.

I asked for courage... And God gave me danger to overcome.

I asked for love... And God gave me troubled people too.

I asked for favors... And God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted but everything I needed.