Series Overview
Throughout Scripture, we can see how peace is something near to God’s heart. Even though people chose to break their relationship with God, God made a way to fix that relationship through Jesus. And because we reflect God’s image, making peace with others should be a priority for us as well. That’s why we’re taking the first three weeks of March to highlight some passages and stories about peace to help kids understand more about how they can be peacemakers in their world.
Memory Verse
“If possible, live in peace with everyone. Do that as much as you can.” – Romans 12:18, NIRV
Week One (March 3)
Whenever, Wherever
Bible Story: Live In Peace With Everyone | Romans 12:18
Bottom Line: Make peace whenever you can
Virtue: Peace – Proving you care more about each other than winning an argument
In Week One, we look at something Paul wrote in Romans 12:18: “If possible, live in peace with everyone. Do that as much as you can.” This is a big challenge! Do as much as you can to live in peace…with everyone! Paul was stressing how important it is for us to do everything in our power to fix what is broken – and make connections with the people around us. After all, this is what God did for us through Jesus.
When God made peace with us through Jesus, God showed us that peace with others is possible. This doesn’t mean that it will be easy, but living in peace with others is worth our best effort. We pray that kids will discover how they can God’s love by the way they make peace with the people in their lives.
Week Two (March 10)
Let Go
Bible Story: Abram + Lot | Genesis 13:5-18
Bottom Line: You can show you care by letting go of what’s fair.
Virtue: Peace – Proving you care more about each other than winning an argument
For Week Two, we head to Genesis 13:5-18. We read how Abram + Lot’s herdsmen were arguing because there wasn’t enough land for both men’s herds. Abram chose to make peace with Lot by letting Lot choose the land he wanted. Abram could have taken the best land for himself; but instead, he trusted God + allowed Lot to decide.
Sometimes creating peace with someone means giving up what might seem most fair to you. It takes a strong person to have the self-control to make a compromise + walk away. We pray that kids will learn how they can choose peace when it would be easier to argue + fight.
Week Three (March 17)
The Peacemaker
Bible Story: Abigail Intervenes | 1 Samuel 25:1-35
Bottom Line: You can help others make peace
Virtue: Peace – Proving you care more about each other than winning an argument
In 1 Samuel 25:1-35, we find a story about a woman named Abigail. We read how King David was furious with a man named Nabal who had mistreated his men. David decided to get revenger…until Nabal’s wife, Abigail, intercepted him, apologized + offered gifts as a way to make peace. Even though Abigail wasn’t responsible for her husband’s offense, she realized that she play a role in making peace.
Peace is often about helping stop an argument before it can escalate into something worse. It takes time + energy to act as a peacemaker between other people; but, God can give us the strength to help others make peace. For kids, this might mean getting the help of an adult who can calm down a situation. Sometimes, an outside perspective is what someone needs to see a peaceful solution to an argument they’re having. We pray that God will give kids wisdom to see how they can step in + help make peace.
Week Four (March 24)
Take You At Your Word
Bible Story: Palm Sunday | Matthew 21:1-11
Bottom Line: Jesus came to be our Savior
Virtue: Easter – Celebrating that Jesus is alive
We kick-off Easter week with the story of Palm Sunday as described in Matthew 21:1-11. By this time, God’s people had been waiting hundreds of years for God’s promised Savior. As Jesus’ ministry grew, the people were starting to believe that Jesus WAS that Savior. They were sure that God’s promises were finally coming true! So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, just like a prophesy foretold, the people celebrated + worshipped Him. And while they might not have fully understood how Jesus was about to make peace, they could celebrate because God was faithful to send a Savior.
Jesus was more than a good teacher + miracle worker. Jesus is God’s very own Son. God promised that Jesus would come + save us from the consequences of our sin. When Jesus came, He fulfilled all of the promise that God made. On top of that, Jesus is the Savior we all need to have a forever relationship with God. We pray that all kids choose to trust Jesus as their Savior this Easter season.
Easter (March 30/31)
Alive
Bible Story: Easter | Luke 24:1-12, 36-49
Bottom Line: Jesus is alive.
Virtue: Easter – Celebrating that Jesus is alive
We finish March by celebrating Jesus’ resurrection as described in Luke 24:1-12, 36-49. God went to great lengths to make peace with us. All of God’s promises came true, and everything that Jesus said + did led up to this moment. When Jesus paid the price for our sin on the cross + then came back to life, He made it possible for us to have peace with God forever. THAT is something to celebrate!
As we celebrate Easter this year, we want kids to know why we make such a big deal about this special day. Jesus isn’t just some person that said + did some cool things a long time ago. We believe that Jesus is God’s Son…and through Him, we can have life forever with God. That’s only possible because Jesus is alive! We pray that kids will understand what Jesus has done for them + choose to put their trust in Him.