Sermon Based Small Group Lessons

God, My Peace

Series Title is I-Am Tunes (The logo used in worship let you know that this is a knockoff of Apple’s Itunes)

2008 April 13

Dr. Les Hughes, Senior Pastor

Focus Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-5, John 16:33

Meeting Schedule

1. Fellowship time & snacks

2. Share prayer requests

3. Pray (taking turns with short sentence prayers is good if group members are comfortable).

4. Begin the lesson.

a. Share the title (above)

b. Ask the Ice Breaker Question

c. Follow the guide, reading the Scripture and asking the questions.

Continue the Journey Announcement

One day offering result was $161,653.67. Prior to that over $86,000 was given and since then through eGive some more funds have been given for a total of $257.881.60.

Ice Breaker Questions

What is the greatest loss you have ever experienced? How did you handle that loss?
(New groups: Share your name and….question above.)

John 16:33

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Lyrics: It is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

The Story Behind the Hymn

On October 8, 1871, as Horatio and his wife Anna were grieving over the death of their son, the Great Chicago Fire swept through the city. Horatio was a prominent lawyer in Chicago, and had invested heavily in the city’s real estate, and the fire destroyed almost everything he owned.

Two years later, in 1873, Spafford decided his family should take a vacation somewhere in Europe, and chose England knowing that his friend D. L. Moody would be preaching there in the fall. Delayed because of business, he sent ahead of him his family: his wife Anna, and his four remaining children, daughters Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie.

On November 21, 1873, while crossing the Atlantic on the S.S. Ville Du Havre, their ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel and two hundred and twenty six people lost their lives, including all four of Spafford’s daughters. Somehow his wife, Anna, survived. On arriving in England, she sent a telegram to Spafford beginning “Saved alone.”

This father had been tested and he’d been crushed and all he had to hang on to was his trust in Christ, that somehow the Lord would see him through.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

--John 16:33

For He Himself is our peace.

--Eph. 2:14a

Spafford was saying, “Whatever happens to me; it will be well between you and me, God.” When a couple is married they promise to be devoted to one another until they are parted by death, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, in joy and in sorrow; not matter what, they will be there for one another. When we enter into a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, we’re saying, “Lord, no matter what, you’re my God.” “No matter what, I’m your son or daughter.”

Digging for Truth

1. Life-Changing Lesson 1 is “We can have peace even when we aren’t happy.”

What is the difference in peace and happiness?

2. Is something in life “beating you up” right now? How can you trust God in the midst of this situation?

3. Does it bring you comfort to know that Satan can’t touch your soul?

4. What do you think about Les’ comment that we are so used to God’s blessing that we take it for granted? We don’t seem to notice unless we don’t have it!

5. Spafford wrote about “my sin being nailed to the cross”. Do you think we are guilty of not considering the gravity of our sin? How does our culture look at sin? How should believers look at sin?

6. Life-Changing Lesson 2 is this: We lose our peace when life doesn’t meet our expectations. What is one time when life didn’t meet your expectations? What do you think God was trying to do through that experience?

7. Life-Changing Lesson 3 is this: If I have peace in the midst of minor trouble, God will give me peace in the midst of major turmoil. How do we deal with minor troubles? Do you look to God and place your faith in Him?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

--John 14:27

8. Read the passage from Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 12:1-5

1 You are always righteous, O LORD,
       when I bring a case before you.
       Yet I would speak with you about your justice:
       Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
       Why do all the faithless live at ease?

2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;
       they grow and bear fruit.
       You are always on their lips
       but far from their hearts.

3 Yet you know me, O LORD;
       you see me and test my thoughts about you.
       Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!
       Set them apart for the day of slaughter!

4 How long will the land lie parched
       and the grass in every field be withered?
       Because those who live in it are wicked,
       the animals and birds have perished.
       Moreover, the people are saying,
       "He will not see what happens to us."

5 "If you have raced with men on foot
       and they have worn you out,
       how can you compete with horses?
       If you stumble in safe country,
       how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

Jeremiah says that God is always just, but he questions God’s fairness. Do you ever feel that way?

9. God responded with this:

If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out,
then how can you compete with horses?
If you fall down in the land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5-6

In other words, God is preparing him to be strong.

10. The author of the song was looking forward to death. Are we at peace even for death to come our way?

11. Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” When we look at our life, do we have that confirmation of God to look forward to?

Closing Thought

We can have peace because God is in control and we place our faith in Him!

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

--Col. 3:15

Application

What do you need to do this week to show our faith in God in the midst of the situations of life?

Encourage group members to adopt some plan for reading God’s word daily. Some plans are available at www.BiblePlan.org or a reading guide is available in the back of Westwood’s Devotional Book. Pastor Les also has a plan available at www.wwbc.org.