Radical Teachings of Jesus Lesson # 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers

In Matthew 5 Jesus gives us a list of personal “attitudes” that will cause us to be “blessed” or “happy”. These are directly counter the usual humanistic way of thinking.

Radical Concept #7

"Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." [Matthew 5:9 KJV]

What does it mean to be a “peacemaker”? This is the only time in the New Testament that this word is used. Let’s explore the idea of “making peace” and how it labels us as “children of God.”

1. Is a peacemaker the same thing as a pacifist?
   1. Pacifist: a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.

2. What is “peace”?
   1. Peace: Freedom from or the cessation of war or violence

3. Is it possible to have peace by suspending conflict or must the conflict come to an end in order for peace to exist?

4. Should I be willing to deny myself good things so that I can spare a conflict in a fellow believer’s conscience? See Romans 14:15-20

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." [Romans 14:19 KJV]

5. Is a “peace-maker” fundamentally opposed to all conflict?

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." [Romans 12:17-21 KJV]

6. Is the Christian ever required to engage in conflict? If so when, how and for what purpose?

7. Questions to answer before seeking peace through conflict:
   1. Do I have the authority to engage in this conflict?
   2. What are my motives for engaging in this conflict?
   3. Have I tried to see the other side of this dispute?
   4. Have I exhausted all peaceful methods for resolution?
   5. Am I trying to do what only God can do?

8. Who is the greatest peacemaker?

9. What conflict did he resolve? Between whom?

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" [Romans 5:1 KJV]

10. How did Jesus resolve the conflict between God and man?

11. Does Jesus continue today in this role?

"For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." [1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV]

12. How can I apply this example to my life?

13. My greatest objective in any conflict should be to:
    1. Bring peace between the offended and offending parties,
    2. Bring peace between all parties and God.

14. As we imitate Jesus in his role as “mediator” we too will be known as the ____________ ___ ___________.

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LESSON OUTLINE : "Brothers and Sisters"

            

“Brothers and Sisters”

Family Life Class

June 1, 2014

Tony Thomas

Dugger Family - Public Domain

 Our best and worst relationships are with those to whom we are the closest. Our relationship with God is reflected in our relationships with his “other” children. 

 “While [Jesus] was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.   

Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." 

But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?"  

And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers!  "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." [Mat 12:46-50 NKJV]

Foundational Truth: The "brotherhood" of the Church.

Malachi 2:10, 4:6
1. Does God value family love?

John 13:34, 35
2. What “new commandment” did Jesus give his disciples?

3. Is this commandment equal in authority to the “Ten Commandments” in Exodus chapter 20?

4. Jesus is ordering Christian to love each other.  What does this tell us about the nature of love? Is love mental, emotional or both?

1 John 4:15-20
5. Is it possible to love someone who does not return that love? Who is our example?

6. Is it possible to love God and not love your brother?

7. What is the link between fear and hatred?

8. What is “perfect love”? [hint: think about John 3:16] 


Matthew 24:9-14
9. Whom did Jesus say would become the recipients of hate in the last days?

Romans 12:16-21
10. How are believers supposed to respond to hatred/anger?

Life Application Questions

11. Do you have to “like” someone before you can love them?

12. How does fear affect our family relationships? 

13. List three common fears people face in family relationships?

a. 

b. 

c.

14. How do we demonstrate love to our earthly families?

15. How do we demonstrate love in the family of God?

Further Reading: Bible siblings

Read about Peter and Andrew, and James and John in Matthew 4:17-22.

Read about Jacob and Esau in Genesis chapters 25, 27, 28, 32, 33.

Read about Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-17

Read about Lazarus, Martha and Mary in Luke 10 and John 11. 

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LESSON OUTLINE: "Fatherhood"

“Fatherhood”

Tony Thomas

Family Life Class

May 18, 2014

God is Awesome.

In fact God is so great and so awesome there is no way the human mind can fully comprehend his greatness. So, throughout scripture, God has chosen to reveal himself to us through titles and types that help us understand his Divine nature and interaction with us. As we read through the Bible we come to know God as Creator, Lawgiver, Judge, Provider, Healer, Shepherd, and Redeemer. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and exists everywhere at the same time. In fact, time itself is not a limitation for him because he is eternal.

As great and wonderful as all of this is, it is only through the atoning work of Jesus Christ that God chooses the greatest demonstration of his love for us. In the New Testament, God who once separated his presence from humanity with rituals, curtains and walls, reveals himself to those who will trust him, as "Father".

Foundational Truth: The Fatherhood of God

How do we come to know God as Father? Matthew 11:25-27

Is God the Father of all mankind? John 8:38-45

How do we become a "child of God"? John 1:12,13.

How is Jesus' relationship with the Father unique? John 3:16

In what way is our relationship with the Father and Jesus' relationship with the Father the same? Romans 8:15-17

To whom did Jesus instruct Christians to pray? Matthew 6:9

What is the privilege of this relationship? Matthew 6:8

How do the phrases "hallowed be your name" and "Your kingdom come, your will be done..." affect the believer?

Family Life Application

Do you think that a person's opinion of their earthly father affects their perception of God as Father?

How should this affect our role as earthly parents? Ephesians 6:4

In your opinion what are the five most important character traits of a good father?

1.                                                                                                                 

2.                                                                                                                 

3.                                                                                                                 

4.                                                                                                                 

5.                                                                                                                 

Do you see these traits in God?

For Further Reading: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Genesis chapters 6-9,

Genesis chapters 37-49,

2 Samuel chapter 13,

Mark 9:17-27

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