Supporting Scripture: Luke 2:8-12 (ESV)
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Where do you turn in difficult moments?
Greek word for peace is “eirene”.
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What is Jesus saving us from?
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“Small things done with great love will change the world.” – Mother Teresa
(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL
Here are some personal reflection questions based on this passage that might help you explore what peace means in your life:
1. The Announcement of Peace (Luke 2:10-14)
- The angel declares, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” The angel then proclaims, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
- How does this declaration of peace resonate with you today? In what areas of your life do you most long for peace?
- What does “peace on earth” mean in the context of your own experiences? Is it a personal, internal peace, peace in your relationships, or peace in the world?
2. The Shepherds’ Response to Peace (Luke 2:15-16)
- The shepherds immediately respond to the angel’s message by going to find the baby. They take action based on the message they received.
- How do you typically respond when you experience or hear about God’s peace? Are you quick to seek it out and embrace it, or is it harder for you to accept and act upon?
- Do you believe peace requires an active response on your part? What steps can you take to invite more peace into your life?
3. The Role of the Shepherds as Witnesses (Luke 2:17-18)
- After seeing Jesus, the shepherds shared the news of what they had seen and heard. Their peace came from encountering Christ, and they spread this peace to others.
- When you experience peace, do you feel compelled to share that peace with others? In what ways can you be a “witness” to peace in your everyday life?
- Who in your life might need to hear the message of peace and joy that the shepherds shared? How might you share that peace with them?
4. Mary’s Contemplation of Peace (Luke 2:19)
- “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Mary’s response to the events around her was one of quiet reflection.
- How do you create space in your life to “ponder” moments of peace and wonder? Do you take time to reflect on God’s presence in your life, or are you often distracted?
- In moments of uncertainty or anxiety, what helps you to center yourself and find peace in God’s presence?
5. Peace in the Midst of the Ordinary (Luke 2:8)
- The message of peace came to shepherds, who were considered ordinary and somewhat marginalized in society. God chose to reveal the birth of Christ to them first.
- How do you experience peace in the midst of your ordinary, everyday life? Do you recognize that God’s peace can come to you in unexpected moments or places?
- How can you find peace in the mundane tasks of life, knowing that God is present even in those moments?
6. The Longing for Peace (Luke 2:14)
- The angels’ proclamation is a declaration of hope for a broken world: “Peace on earth to those on whom his favor rests.”
- How do you feel about the state of peace in the world today? Do you find hope in the promise of God’s peace, or do you struggle to see it manifest in the world around you?
- What role does the birth of Christ play in your understanding of global peace? Do you see it as a future promise, or do you experience aspects of this peace in your life today?
7. The Relationship Between Joy and Peace (Luke 2:10-11)
- The angel says that the birth of Jesus brings “good news of great joy.” Often, peace and joy are closely connected.
- Do you see joy as a natural outcome of peace in your life? In moments of peace, do you also experience a deeper sense of joy?
- What are some things that bring you lasting joy? How might these things be connected to your sense of peace?
8. God’s Peace as a Gift (Luke 2:11-14)
- The peace declared by the angels comes through the birth of a Savior. It is not something that we earn, but rather a gift from God.
- How do you understand peace as a gift rather than something you must achieve or create on your own?
- In what ways can you accept God’s peace as a gift in your life? Are there any areas where you’re trying too hard to create peace on your own instead of receiving it as a gift?
9. Peace as a Future Hope (Luke 2:14)
- “On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” also hints at a future fulfillment of peace in God’s kingdom.
- How do you see the birth of Christ as part of a larger story of peace that will one day be fully realized? Does this future hope influence your current experience of peace?
- In moments of struggle or discontent, how can the future hope of Christ’s return bring peace to your heart?
10. How Can You Be a “Peacemaker” in Your Context?
- Reflecting on the shepherds’ role in spreading the good news of peace, how can you be a peacemaker in your family, community, or workplace?
- What are the small ways you can contribute to fostering peace in your relationships and surroundings? Is there anyone you need to forgive or reach out to in peace?
These questions aim to invite deeper reflection on peace, both as an internal reality and as something that impacts the world around us, based on the profound message of Christ’s birth.