RECAP: In the middle of the chaos of life and when things don't go as planned (hello Christmas season!), we can still find peace. Our hope is not found in a perfectly wrapped up life or getting things we want. Our hope is found in Jesus and we look towards the hope of heaven. In the Bible Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. But that means something different than we think - it's not about bringing us peace that frees us from any chaos, but peace in the midst of the chaos. When Jesus is our foundation, the peace that He brings is actually better and longer lasting than just making sense out of the chaos of our lives.

GROUP QUESTIONS
1. When was a time in your life (funny or serious) where you felt the most out of control, or life or a situation felt the most chaotic?
2. Where does your life tend to feel the most unstable? Why?
3. Read Luke 2:1-20. What kind of chaos do you see in this passage? How do you think you would have handled things if you were the shepherds? Mary? Joseph?
4. Read Isaiah 9:6. What do you think it might mean that Jesus is the Prince of Peace? What kind of peace have you experienced in your life with God?
5. Part of having peace is trusting, not worrying. That's hard to do - to trust that God cares, knows and is walking with us in the chaos. Read Philippians 4:6-7. How can you turn your worry into worship? What kind of peace is promised when we do that?
6. Read John 15:5. "When we rest in Him, we can receive from Him" Where do you see this in this passage? Have you seen that in your own life?
7. What have you been worrying about? What have you been trying to control? Turn your worry to worship. Pray. Spend time with and rest in the Prince of Peace. Receive from Him, so you can rest in Him. As an act of faith this week, pray and talk to God. Pray with your hands open & picture the things you are worrying about or trying to control as being in your hands and give them to God as you pray. Out of your hands and into His hands.

PRAYER:
God, what I usually WANT is for you to take away all the chaos and instability in my life, yet what you promise to bring stability in the midst of the chaos of our lives. Help me to trust you. Help me to rest in you, so I can receive from you. To draw close to you, and as I do, that I would experience your peace, no matter what comes my way. I want and need that "peace that passes all understanding". God help me to turn my worry into worship, by giving my cares, concerns and chaos to you. I give you these worries now . . . Amen.