OUR NEED FOR PEACE SESSION 5. The Point. The Passage. The Bible Meets Life. The Setting

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1 SESSION 5 OUR NEED FOR PEACE The Point Jesus is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace. The Passage John 14:1-7 The Bible Meets Life Atticus Finch, the small-town Alabama lawyer in Harper Lee s To Kill a Mockingbird, is one of the most beloved characters in American literature. Throughout the novel, Atticus maintains a calm poise in all situations whether facing down a rabid dog or dealing with a racially-motivated mob. Several times in the narrative, Atticus tells his children, Jem and Scout, It s not time to worry. Atticus is always very open with his children, so they trust that if there ever is a time to worry, he ll tell them. Trouble has a way of finding us, and it s easy to let those troubles cause us to worry. It would be nice to a have our own version of Atticus Finch someone to tell us, It s not time to worry. The truth is that we don t need a fictitious character like Atticus. We have Jesus, who offers us something far greater. He doesn t just offer words in an attempt to comfort us; He offers Himself. Jesus does what no Atticus Finch could ever do: He gives us true peace even in the midst of trouble. The Setting John began his coverage of Jesus last week on earth in what we know as chapter 12. By the time he arrived at John 14, it was well into the evening of Jesus last night on earth. In the upper room only hours before His crucifixion, Jesus devoted Himself to final instructions and assurances the disciples needed before He departed from them. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 57

2 What does the Bible say? John 14:1-7 Troubled (v. 1) Can refer to outward shaking or stirring up; or inward turmoil, unsettling circumstances, or being thrown into confusion. Dwelling places (v. 2) Place of remaining, tarrying, staying, or dwelling, as in a room or abode, or even of a settled residence. Know (v. 7) All three uses in this verse come from the Greek word meaning to know by personal experience. A different Greek word appears in verses Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going. 5 Lord, Thomas said, we don t know where You re going. How can we know the way? 6 Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him. 58 Session 5

3 THE POINT Jesus is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace. GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 45 of the PSG: When have you felt most at peace? Notes ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): As a followup to Question #1, above, give your group members two minutes of peace and quiet before continuing the discussion. Encourage everyone to settle into a comfortable spot in your meeting space, and then ask them to relax in whatever mode they choose for a full two minutes. This relaxing could include closing their eyes, playing a game on their phone, chatting with friends, and so on. Note: Consider adding to the relaxing ambiance of your meeting space by playing soothing music, ocean sounds, or other calming noises in the background. GUIDE: Direct group members to The Bible Meets Life on page 46 of the PSG. Continue with the theme of seeking peace by reading or summarizing the text or by encouraging group members to read on their own. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point at the top of page 46 of the PSG: Jesus is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace. ENHANCEMENT: As you move through this session, use Pack Item 4, To the Father, to help illustrate Jesus claim to be the only way to the Father (see v. 6). PRAY: Transition into the discussion by thanking God for the gift of many peaceful moments experienced throughout your lifetime. Commit to engaging His Word in a serious way in order to understand and obey His will. TIP: Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid. Visit ministrygrid.com/web/ biblestudiesforlife. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 59

4 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes John 14:1 1 Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. READ: John 14:1 on page 47 of the PSG. Read the text out loud or ask a volunteer to do so. RECAP: Call attention to the fourth and fifth paragraphs on page 48 of the PSG to make the connection between believing in Jesus and trusting Him: Maybe you re wondering: How exactly am I supposed to avoid being overcome by trouble? Jesus revealed the Source of peace in the midst of trouble: Believe in God; believe also in Me. The word believe in this context also could be translated trust. The key is trusting God and Jesus to sustain you through whatever challenges come your way. ALTERNATE QUESTION: When do you find it difficult to trust God? DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 48 of the PSG: How do you determine if someone is trustworthy? Note: The goal of this question is to set up a parallel between trusting other people and trusting God. By helping group members identify the characteristics that identify other people as trustworthy, they can use those same standards to highlight just how worthy God is of receiving our trust. GUIDE: Use the final paragraph on page 61 of this Leader Guide to communicate the truth that belief is never a passive idea in John s Gospel; rather, belief always involves action. TRANSITION: Having asked the disciples to believe Him and trust Him, Jesus dropped a bomb on their expectations in verses Session 5

5 THE POINT Jesus is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace. John 14:1 [Verse 1] Jesus said, Your heart must not be troubled. In modern culture, the heart is associated almost exclusively with emotion (think Valentine s Day). The ancient metaphor of the heart was broader, including what we normally think of as activities of the mind. So, the term heart was meant to convey that which is conceived as the center and source of life, especially the inner life the seat of emotions, wishes, desires, and moral decisions. The heart, then, is where we have our deepest thoughts or hold our hidden fears, those thoughts or fears we would not readily confess to someone else. Jesus always operates here, in the heart. He relates at the deeper levels, knows us like we do not like being known, perceives what we really think, and understands how we really feel. The term troubled carries the concept of a sea or other body of water being stirred up or agitated. Jesus call not to be troubled came in the moment of the shocking realization that Jesus had just predicted betrayal by His own disciples. Surely Jesus announcement would have made the hearts of the disciples toss out of control like a small fishing ship on the Sea of Galilee during a tremendous storm. The disciples cannot be blamed for having a difficult time processing this news. Most particularly, their own denial of Jesus would be hard to fathom. For the disciples, these troubled waters brought troubling thoughts. Jesus then challenged His disciples on the basis of their fundamental faith in God, that they should believe also in Me. The calming influence for the troubled seas of their hearts stood in front of them, even as He had that night they had been on the Sea of Galilee when the waves and the winds whipped up (see John 6:16-21). That night He had easily solved the crisis of the external storm. This night He addressed their internal storms with an admonition to continue to have faith in Him. Such a faith in only a few days would include not only belief in the death of Jesus, but in His resurrection as well. Forgiveness and life result from this faith to which Jesus called His disciples. In John s Gospel, belief is not merely rational thought, such as agreeing with an idea. Belief is action. We pick up on John s distinctive framing of belief as action by noting that John never used the static noun belief in his Gospel. John only used the active verb, to believe. Thus, belief or faith for John was something someone does rather than what someone simply thinks. It s trusting. It s relating. The disciples were learning that belief in Jesus means trusting Jesus to secure their relationship. Even though they would betray Jesus, He was calling for them to trust that He would guarantee the future of their relationship. Salvation depends on Jesus ability to secure the relationship, not the sinner s inability to avoid betrayal. Salvation is not jeopardized by sin. Trust in Jesus keeps your heart from being troubled. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 61

6 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes John 14:2-4 2 In My Father s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going. DO: Direct group members to complete the activity Personal Assessment: Peace on page 49 of the PSG. Are you a peaceful person? Use the following evaluations as a starting point to find out. To what degree do you feel at peace in these areas of life? In your finances [Not at peace] [Totally at peace] In your work [Not at peace] [Totally at peace] In your spiritual life [Not at peace] [Totally at peace] In your past decisions [Not at peace] [Totally at peace] ALTERNATE QUESTION: How would you state the promises in verses 2-4 in your own words? In your future prospects [Not at peace] [Totally at peace] READ: John 14:2-4 on page 47 of the PSG. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 50 of the PSG: What do you find most comforting in these verses? Why? TRANSITION: Ask a volunteer to read the final paragraph on page 50 of the PSG. 62 Session 5

7 THE POINT Jesus is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace. John 14:2-4 [Verse 2] Jesus repeatedly affirmed that He came from the Father in heaven. Here, the disciples learned their relationship to Jesus was like having a residence in heaven: In My Father s house are many dwelling places. A place to reside means permanent relationship. This permanence could heal the disciples anxiety, especially Peter s, of having just learned they would betray Jesus. Jesus would transcend their betrayal; it would not end their relationship. Jesus was leaving to prepare a place for you. Jesus would not prepare a place unless He was going to forgive their betrayal. The disciples certainly would not instantly have understood Jesus words about His Father s house to be about heaven. When first-century Jews conceptualized the kingdom of God as inaugurated by the Messiah, that kingdom always was thought of as on earth. In this coming kingdom, they thought, Jews still would live in their own homes. They simply would have the Messiah as their king over them, peace at their borders, and abundant crops in their fields. Thus, we have to anticipate that the disciples would have been confused by Jesus language. Do not assume this conversation would have been easy to grasp. A place in heaven would not have been their first thought. No part of their typical Jewish expectations would have prepared them for what Jesus meant. [Verse 3] Jesus then answered the obvious question of how one would get where He was going. If He were going away to prepare a place for His followers, then I will come back, He declared, and receive you to Myself. His departure would be not only purposeful but also temporary. When the preparation of verse 2 had been accomplished, Jesus would be back. Notice the double emphasis of the intention of Jesus return. On one side of the coin, it is to receive you to Myself. On the flip side, it is so that where I am you may be also. One is for Him, the other is for us. The hotel maid makes preparation for our arrival, but has no intention of being with us during our stay. Jesus prepares for our arrival specifically so we can share our stay together with Him. The story of Jesus is not complete even after His death and resurrection. A marvelous return awaits. Jesus return is a premier doctrine of the New Testament, and John s Gospel ends on a reminder of the return of Jesus (see 21:22). We can trust Christ because He is preparing a permanent place for us in heaven. [Verse 4] Jesus then intrigued His disciples. Even while indicating that He would receive His own, Jesus still insisted, You know the way to where I am going. This insistence is captivating. It flies in the face of the obvious: Jesus had not made clear where He was going. Certainly He had spoken about His Father s house, but even that thought was pretty ambiguous for His disciples. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 63

8 15 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes John 14:5-7 5 Lord, Thomas said, we don t know where You re going. How can we know the way? 6 Jesus told him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him. READ: John 14:5-7 on page 47 of the PSG. DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 51 of the PSG: What does this I am statement teach us about Jesus nature and character? GUIDE: If necessary, use the third and fourth paragraphs on page 65 of this Leader Guide to further explain the exclusivity of Jesus claims regarding salvation. He is the only way. RECAP: Call attention to the final paragraph on page 51 of the PSG: Today, an ever-growing number of people are uncomfortable with the implications of this claim. It might seem the solution is to appease critics by softening Jesus words not only about salvation, but also about sexuality, morality, ethics, and integrity. Rather than trying to soften those words, let s take them seriously. Let them motivate our witness, deepen our spiritual resolve, and increase our efforts to get the gospel to more people. That s the best response to Jesus definitive words, and the only way to true peace. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are the implications of Jesus words for today s culture? DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 51 of the PSG: Why is lasting peace found only in Jesus? Note: It s possible that members of your group may express discomfort (or even disbelief) in the claim that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Don t shut down such thoughts; instead, point to the Scriptures as the source of truth. GUIDE: Refer back to The Point of this session: Jesus is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace. As time allows, encourage volunteers to share any final thoughts or questions. 64 Session 5

9 THE POINT Jesus is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace. John 14:5-7 [Verse 5] Where Jesus was going was unclear to the disciples. He had not mentioned the path. So, Thomas sought answers to both questions: we don t know where You re going. How can we know the way? It is probably best here to understand Thomas as the disciple who voiced the thought that was on all the disciples minds. Peter had already revealed his confusion (see John 13:36). In short order, both Philip (see 14:8) and the other Judas (see v. 22) would indicate that they, too, were not clear on Jesus message and its implications. [Verse 6] The question brought up another of the famous I am sayings of Jesus. Jesus responded with one of the clearest affirmations of the New Testament, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Way in Jewish thought is often about a life to live, the manner or character of your life. Truth in this context is integrity. Following Jesus as the way and the truth is living a life of complete integrity, pleasing God in all things. The Book of Acts regularly shows early Christians referring to themselves as the Way, probably reflecting the direct impact of this statement of Jesus. This manner of speaking was Jewish and apparently well known in Jesus world. Jesus, however, made an exclusive claim. Jesus immediately narrowed the scope of participation directly to Himself. He added, No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jesus could not have been more restrictive. The path involves knowing and following Jesus personally. This exclusivity eliminates any other claim to salvation. With His personalized exclusivity, Jesus also rejected any effort to reduce Christianity to spiritual principles or multiple paths to God. Only one way and only one truth exists for anyone s life Jesus. We must be careful not to grant exceptions where Jesus allowed none. While the Bible teaches us that God desires none to perish (see 2 Pet. 3:9), it also records that Jesus Himself said, No one comes to the Father except through Me. It is only through Jesus we can come to the Father and know the peace He intends for us to experience. [Verse 7] Jesus then moved to the language of knowing as a way to describe the personal relationship believers share with Him. He revealed, If you know Me, you will also know My Father. Knowing God was covenant language for Israel s prophets (see Jer. 24:7; 31:34; Hos. 13:4). The psalmist encouraged developing a way of life that allows one to know God (see Ps. 46:10; 100:3). This type of relational knowledge does not have to wait on a future journey to God s house. Instead, Jesus brought this possibility into the present, From now on you do know Him and have seen Him. Catching a vision of Jesus dying on a cross and rising from the grave is seeing God Himself at work in eternal salvation. We can trust in Christ because He is the only way to live forever with God. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 65

10 5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes GUIDE: Direct group members to page 52 of the PSG. Encourage them to consider the following options for helping others experience Jesus as the only source of true peace: > > Praise God. Spend an hour thanking Jesus for the place He has prepared for you in heaven. Praise God for blessing you with peace and an eternal home with Christ. > > Memorize the Word. Work each day to commit John 14:6 to memory. Encourage friends and family members to join you in memorizing this important verse. > > Be bold. Invite a person of a different faith to coffee or lunch. Ask them to explain what their religion teaches about concepts like the way to heaven, truth, and eternal life. In turn, tell them what Jesus taught and what you believe about these issues. Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the Conclusion from page 52 of the PSG: There are times when all of us worry in this world. Even Atticus Finch felt the pressure of those moments. But you have the amazing gift of choosing to focus on Christ in even the worst of moments and in doing so, you ll find the gift of peace. PRAY: Conclude by praising God for the gift of peace in connection with your eternal salvation. On behalf of yourself and your group, verbally express your commitment to helping others experience the peace of Christ s salvation. 66 Session 5