Shalom - Peace is Misunderstood (Lesson 1) Leader Note: The Student Guide is exactly the same as what you have except for words in bold italics. Decide prior to your first discussion who will read the questions and other content. Will you ask the students to take turns? Will you read it yourself? Leader Note: Group discussion allows students to get to know each other on a very basic level. Set the tone for trust by encouraging students to: a) share what they are comfortable sharing, b) listen well without interrupting and c) avoid discouraging remarks. Leader Note: As time progresses, you will probably see the students beginning to open up more and more. Some students may be hesitant to open up. The key with these students is to encourage them to stretch beyond their comfort zones while being compassionate about their discomfort. Other students may respond quickly and become very vulnerable in a short period of time. The key with students will be to affirm their sharing even as you facilitate equal sharing among others. (“Thanks, Tyler. Does anyone else want to share?”) If you’re nervous, feel free to share that. You will all be growing in this experience together! Open in Prayer: The leader for the group will open in prayer. Leader Note: If, as the leader, you are apprehensive about leading participants in prayer, try these ideas. Suggest a time of quiet to help transition from talking, laughing and interacting with others to a time of silence before God. Then say a short prayer asking for God’s blessing on your small group time and safety for the week ahead. You could ask participants to list their concerns and then read the concerns during the prayer. Keep the list and later ask how God answered the prayers. Breaking the Ice: Leader Note: Breaking the ice will allow the group to get to know each other better. These are nonthreatening questions that can be answered quickly. Go around the group and have each person share their answers to the following questions. • Who is in your family? • Where are you from, and what’s unique about that place? • What’s something about you that not many people know? Digging Deeper: Group Discussion Summary: Today we learn more about our theme—Shalom: Peace No Matter What. Thoughts on Peace: Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people. — Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India (1889–1964)
Leader Note: Included in each small group session will be a “Thought on Peace” from a famous person. Some of these thoughts may be profound; some may be silly. Some of these people may be (or have been) followers of Christ, while others are (or were) not. Included in the Digging Deeper section is a question each evening about that day’s Thought on Peace. It will be helpful to remind students that the world’s idea of peace is not necessarily Christ’s idea, but that even those who follow other world religions want a kind of peace in their lives. In the Bible, shalom is a sense of wholeness, not just a sense of peace. It has connotations of wholeness physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. The word shalom appears in written and spoken greetings in the Bible (Mark 5:34, Luke 7:50, Romans 1:7). When people use the word shalom to greet others or to say goodbye, they are wishing them the best, including both health and success. One way we experience this shalom is when we are at peace in the midst of difficult situations in our lives. Go around and share your general thoughts on the theme, Shalom: Peace No Matter What. • How does the concept of shalom entail more than just internal peace? • Take a look at Nehru’s quote under Thoughts for Peace. Do you agree with him? Is it possible for those who follow alternative religions to find true peace? What would they be missing by not following Christ? Leader Note: If there are students in your group who are not following Christ, do not argue with them or try too hard to persuade them that true peace is only found in Him. Unapologetically give the Gospel, stand your ground, but do not be condemning of their view. Plant the seeds of the Good News, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. Leader Note: Jawahartal Nehru was India’s first Prime Minister and was known for working toward education and the development of children and young people. He was a practicing Hindi, a religion that worships hundreds of gods. This is a good opening to discuss how religions other than Christianity also seek after peace, though their search is flawed if it does not begin with Jesus Christ. It is flawed because true shalom can only be found in Jesus. • What questions or thoughts do you have about the theme – Shalom: Peace No Matter What? What does it make you think of? Jot down your questions and thoughts in the Notes section. Leader Note: It’s OK for you to have questions or thoughts about the theme. Do not feel like you have to have all the answers because you’re an adult. Students will respect you for the questions you have. After all, this is a peace that passes understanding; we all ought to have questions. The Cross-Over: • Reflect on the relationships in your life that are less than peaceful. What makes them that way? • At each discussion time the group will come up with a goal to complete by the next meeting. It can be anything that lends itself to applying the values, message and purpose of the session. Based on what you’ve learned up to this point, what is your group goal for the next meeting? Jot it down in the Notes section.
Leader Note: If the group is really struggling to come up with a goal, suggest one or two of the following as an example. • Come up with an intentional act of kindness that could bless someone. • Have each person commit to making three new acquaintances who are not part of their own youth group. • Suggest that the group members each write the goal on a card and keep it with them as a reminder. God Sightings: Something else that will be mentioned is God Sightings. Since we’re serving and working for His glory and people are praying for us, we ought to be able to notice people or things He is working on/through. Keep your eyes open as you watch God at work in the following days, and be willing to share what you have seen with your small group. Share and Prayer: Take a few moments to individually list your prayer concerns, thanksgivings, adorations and needs in the Notes section. When you are finished, join in prayer with the group, taking time to read the items you select from your list and pausing a moment or two after each item to allow the group to pray for them also. Close by praying together as a group, thanking God for today and His guidance and protection in the days ahead. You can go around the group and let each person offer a specific request to God. Those who don’t want to share may say “pass” to move the prayer on to the next person. Some Ideas for Prayer: • Pray for specific situations that may have come up today (travel issues, joys, problems) • Ask God to spread His shalom—His wholeness—to everyone • Ask God for safety and guidance for your group
Notes
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