Advent: Exploring Hope, Peace, Love, and JoySample

Week Two: Peace

When we follow Christ, peace runs beneath the surface of our lives, like a quiet stream flowing beneath a bridge. Jesus came to give you peace by saving you and forgiving your sins. While your heart might feel like it’s in turmoil, you can always fall back on that simple reality, which is at the heart of His coming.

We have this peace because we are set free. Galatians 4:4–5 describes: “God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children.” Parents are meant to be a source of comfort to their children, and that is what God is to us. God is the Father who is beside you forever, who sent His Son to give us that everlasting peace and comfort that comes from salvation.

You are always His child. As children grow older, parents often become less involved in their children’s lives since they don’t need the same guidance they required as young children. But the peace you have as His child never changes or even lessens. You will always have the same peace, the same security, as His son or daughter.

Many verses in the Bible highlight the peace that Christ brought with Him when He came to earth. Titus 3:4–5 says, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.” And that means you can live with peace and security, knowing that it’s His mercy that saved you.

Jesus came as a child to allow you to feel the peace of a child—and that means you can feel complete comfort and security in His loving presence. This week, think about the peace that Christ brought to the world when He came—and how you can remember that peace this Advent season.

Questions:

1. What role does peace play in the Gospel message? Why does peace matter in this story?
2. What do you think biblical peace means? How does it differ from feeling calm or content?
3. Do you feel at peace in this current season of your life? Do you think it’s possible to feel secure and at peace in your faith, even if you’re struggling? Why or why not?