December 8, 2024
When The King Comes | How Do I Find Peace?
Advent 2024
1 Samuel 8:4-22
The Israelites want peace without God as king. They have their own solution for national success: a new system of government. But there’s a flaw in their solution that will ultimately see them trapped by it … until the true king comes to rescue them.
Songs for this week: Spotify
- In the Bible, the word shalom (peace) means more than just the absence of conflict. It means everything is restored, completed, integrated, and flourishing. What image comes to mind when you think of this kind of peace?
- Can you describe a time when you experienced broken peace? How about a time when you experienced restored peace?
- What are some of the ways, or solutions, people use to find peace and happiness without God? Can you spot the flaws in some of these solutions?
- What does it look like for someone to live with Jesus as their true king?
- How would you explain to a spiritually curious friend Jesus’ promise that he gives us real peace?
- What habits help you be with Jesus in your everyday life?
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Acts 21:37–22:22 - Acts 21 finds Paul in Jerusalem, at the Temple, getting beaten for his faith in Jesus. In a wild turn of events, Paul had the opportunity to talk to those who wanted to kill him. What do you say to people who want you dead? Paul told his story—a story of his own self-righteous zeal, of Jesus meeting him in an unmistakable way, and of a kind believer who stood with him. What a great testimony!
