Kingdom Influence Part 13 with Discussion Guide

BySteve

Kingdom Influence Part 13 Discussion Guide

Summary

This Palm Sunday sermon focuses on the seventh Beatitude: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ The pastor explains that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey as a symbol of peace, not conquest, revealing Him as the King of Peace. A peacemaker is defined as someone who has come to peace with God, experiences God’s peace, desires to live at peace with everyone, and is ready to share the gospel of peace. The message emphasizes that we cannot manufacture peace – it must be received from God through Jesus Christ.

The sermon challenges listeners to examine what ‘spills out’ of them when life bumps against them, using the analogy of a coffee cup being jostled. If we’re filled with God’s peace, that’s what will overflow in difficult moments. The pastor explains that peacemaking is both relational and missional – we’re called to be ambassadors who help others be reconciled to God. Palm Sunday reminds us that Jesus came not to defeat enemies but to reconcile them, offering a way back to relationship with God through His sacrifice and resurrection.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning with grateful hearts, recognizing You as both our Lion and our Lamb. As we gather together, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us today. Help us to be receptive to Your Holy Spirit’s leading and to allow Your Word to transform us from the inside out. We lay down our preconceived notions and ask that You would speak to each of us individually and as a group. Prepare our hearts to understand what it means to be peacemakers in this world, and show us how to carry Your peace into every area of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s one thing that brings you a sense of peace or calm when life gets stressful – maybe a place, activity, or even a favorite snack?

Key Verses

  • Matthew 5:9
  • Philippians 4:4-7
  • Romans 5:1
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Questions

  • The pastor defined a peacemaker as someone who has come to peace with God first. Why do you think this is the necessary starting point for being a peacemaker?
  • Using the coffee cup analogy, what tends to ‘spill out’ of you when life bumps against you? What does this reveal about what’s filling your heart?
  • How does Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a war horse demonstrate the kind of King He is? What does this teach us about His approach to conflict?
  • The pastor mentioned that the peace of God ‘transcends all understanding’ and ‘guards our hearts and minds.’ How have you experienced this supernatural peace in your own life?
  • Paul writes ‘if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’ What are some practical ways we can do our part to live peacefully with difficult people?
  • How is peacemaking different from peacekeeping or simply avoiding conflict? What does it mean to ‘move towards brokenness instead of away from it’?
  • The sermon emphasized that peacemaking is both relational and missional. How can our peaceful relationships with others become opportunities to share the gospel?
  • What are some specific areas in your life where you need to invite God’s peace to rule instead of anxiety, anger, or fear?

Life Application

This week, pay attention to what ‘spills out’ of you when you encounter stress, conflict, or unexpected challenges. When you notice anxiety, anger, or frustration surfacing, pause and bring that specific situation to God in prayer, asking Him to fill you with His peace instead. Choose one relationship where there’s tension or conflict and take a practical step toward peace – whether that’s having a conversation, offering forgiveness, or simply changing your attitude toward that person.

Key Takeaways

  • A peacemaker must first be at peace with God through Jesus Christ – this is the foundation for all other peacemaking
  • The peace of God is not something we manufacture but something we receive from Him that transforms us from the inside out
  • What ‘spills out’ of us when life bumps against us reveals what’s truly filling our hearts
  • Jesus came as the King of Peace – not to defeat enemies but to reconcile them to God
  • Peacemaking is both relational (living at peace with others) and missional (sharing the gospel of peace)

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Prince of Peace and for making a way for us to be reconciled to the Father. We ask that Your peace would not just be something we know about, but something we experience deeply in our hearts and lives. Help us to be people who carry Your peace into every situation we encounter this week. When we face conflict, stress, or difficult people, remind us to pause and let Your peace guard our hearts and minds. Make us effective peacemakers in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Use us as ambassadors of Your love and reconciliation, that others might come to know the peace that only You can give. Fill us so completely with Your peace that it naturally overflows to everyone around us. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

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