Investing in Peace: Mentorship and Spiritual Heritage
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflected on the importance of spiritual heritage and the impact of investing in the next generation. We reminisced about the people who poured into our lives and how their sacrifices shaped our spiritual journeys. This led us to consider our own roles in mentoring and serving within our church community. We are always in need of more volunteers to step up and help guide our children, students, and community groups.
We then delved into Judges 6, focusing on Gideon and the name of God revealed in this passage: Yahweh Shalom, meaning "The Lord is Peace." Gideon, who was hiding from the Midianites, felt alone, confused, and rejected. When the angel of the Lord appeared to him, Gideon questioned God's presence and power. Despite his doubts, God assured Gideon of His presence and called him to lead Israel to victory. Gideon’s story teaches us that true peace comes from God, not from our circumstances.
God instructed Gideon to tear down the pagan altars in his father's house and build a proper altar to the Lord. This act of obedience, though it caused immediate strife, ultimately led to a revival in Israel. Gideon's story reminds us that we cannot experience God's peace while holding onto worldly idols. We must prioritize God above all else to receive His shalom.
Jesus, upon His resurrection, greeted His disciples with "Peace be with you," signifying the ultimate peace He offers through His victory over sin and death. This peace is available to us today, even amidst life's challenges. We are encouraged to turn away from idols and seek the peace that only Jesus can provide.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Heritage and Mentorship: Reflect on the individuals who have impacted your spiritual journey and consider how you can invest in the next generation. Your time and effort can have a lasting impact on others, just as others have impacted you. Serving within the church community is a powerful way to continue this legacy. [25:53]
2. Understanding True Peace: The peace that God offers, Yahweh Shalom, is not merely the absence of conflict but the fullness of life and right relationships. This shalom is a holistic peace that encompasses every aspect of our lives, providing rest and completeness that only God can give. [38:11]
3. Obedience and Idolatry: Gideon's first task was to tear down the pagan altars in his father's house. This act of obedience was crucial for experiencing God's peace. Similarly, we must identify and remove the idols in our lives that hinder our relationship with God. Only then can we fully receive His peace. [48:56]
4. Peace Amidst Strife: Following God’s commands may initially cause strife, even within our own families or communities. However, true peace comes from prioritizing God above all else. Gideon's obedience led to a revival, showing that God's peace can transform not just individuals but entire communities. [55:11]
5. Jesus as the Source of Peace: Jesus' resurrection brought a new kind of peace, one that conquers sin, death, and all cosmic forces against us. This peace is available to us today, offering assurance and rest even in the midst of life's troubles. We are invited to trust in Jesus and receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. [01:02:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[24:52] - Reflecting on Spiritual Heritage
[25:53] - The Impact of Mentorship
[26:22] - Call for Volunteers
[27:15] - Opportunities to Serve
[28:07] - Fall Cleaning Event
[29:36] - Introduction to Judges 6
[31:16] - The Desire for Peace
[33:30] - Context of Gideon's Story
[35:34] - Gideon's Encounter with the Angel
[37:34] - The Lord is Peace
[39:21] - Gideon's Inner Chaos
[41:22] - Feeling Alone, Confused, and Rejected
[44:30] - Tearing Down Idols
[48:56] - Obedience and Peace
[55:11] - Revival Through Obedience
[01:02:18] - Jesus' Resurrection and Peace
[01:07:47] - Invitation to Receive Peace
[01:14:08] - Closing Remarks and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Judges 6:11-27 (ESV)
### Observation Questions
1. What was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and why was he doing it in that particular location? ([35:10])
2. How did Gideon initially respond to the angel's greeting and what were his concerns? ([36:05])
3. What specific instructions did God give Gideon regarding the altars in his father's house? ([45:01])
4. How did the townspeople react when they discovered that Gideon had torn down the altars, and what was Joash's response? ([54:26])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Gideon felt alone, confused, and rejected when the angel of the Lord appeared to him? How does this reflect our own feelings in times of distress? ([41:22])
2. What does the name "Yahweh Shalom" reveal about God's character, and how does this differ from our common understanding of peace? ([38:11])
3. Why was it significant that Gideon had to tear down the pagan altars before he could experience God's peace? What does this teach us about the relationship between idolatry and peace? ([48:56])
4. How did Gideon's act of obedience, despite his fear, lead to a broader revival in his community? What does this suggest about the impact of individual faithfulness on a larger scale? ([55:11])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the individuals who have impacted your spiritual journey. How can you invest in the next generation within our church community? Are there specific ways you can volunteer or mentor? ([25:53])
2. Identify any "idols" in your life that might be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take this week to remove these idols and prioritize God above all else? ([48:56])
3. Gideon felt alone, confused, and rejected. Have you ever felt this way in your spiritual journey? How did you find peace, or how can you seek God's peace in your current situation? ([41:22])
4. Jesus greeted His disciples with "Peace be with you" after His resurrection. How can you embrace and share this peace in your daily life, especially during challenging times? ([01:02:18])
5. Gideon's obedience led to a revival in Israel. How can your acts of faith and obedience influence your family, friends, or community? Are there specific actions you feel called to take? ([55:11])
6. Consider the potential strife that might come from following God's commands. How can you prepare yourself to prioritize God's peace even if it causes temporary conflict in your relationships? ([53:44])
7. Reflect on the peace that Jesus offers, which surpasses all understanding. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus to experience this peace more fully in your life? ([01:02:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Investing in Spiritual Heritage and Mentorship
Reflect on the individuals who have impacted your spiritual journey and consider how you can invest in the next generation. Your time and effort can have a lasting impact on others, just as others have impacted you. Serving within the church community is a powerful way to continue this legacy. [25:53]
In our spiritual journeys, we often stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us. These mentors and spiritual guides have poured their wisdom, time, and love into our lives, helping to shape our faith and character. Their sacrifices and investments have left an indelible mark on us, guiding us through various seasons of life. As we reflect on their impact, we are reminded of the importance of continuing this legacy by investing in the next generation.
Mentorship and service within the church community are vital for nurturing the faith of children, students, and new believers. By stepping up to volunteer and guide others, we can create a ripple effect that extends far beyond our immediate reach. Our efforts can help cultivate a strong spiritual foundation for others, just as our mentors did for us. Consider how you can contribute to this ongoing legacy and make a lasting impact on the lives of those around you.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: Who has been a significant spiritual mentor in your life? How can you honor their legacy by investing in someone else's spiritual journey today?
Day 2: Understanding True Peace
The peace that God offers, Yahweh Shalom, is not merely the absence of conflict but the fullness of life and right relationships. This shalom is a holistic peace that encompasses every aspect of our lives, providing rest and completeness that only God can give. [38:11]
True peace, as revealed in the name Yahweh Shalom, goes beyond the mere absence of conflict. It is a holistic peace that encompasses every aspect of our lives, bringing rest, completeness, and right relationships. This divine peace is a gift from God, offering us a sense of wholeness that the world cannot provide. It is a peace that transcends our circumstances, rooted in the assurance of God's presence and sovereignty.
In Judges 6, Gideon experienced this peace despite his initial doubts and fears. When the angel of the Lord appeared to him, Gideon was hiding from the Midianites, feeling alone and rejected. Yet, God assured him of His presence and called him to lead Israel to victory. This encounter teaches us that true peace comes from God, not from our external situations. By trusting in Yahweh Shalom, we can experience a deep and abiding peace that sustains us through life's challenges.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you seeking peace? How can you shift your focus from your circumstances to trusting in God's presence and sovereignty?
Day 3: Obedience and Idolatry
Gideon's first task was to tear down the pagan altars in his father's house. This act of obedience was crucial for experiencing God's peace. Similarly, we must identify and remove the idols in our lives that hinder our relationship with God. Only then can we fully receive His peace. [48:56]
Gideon's story in Judges 6 highlights the importance of obedience and the removal of idols in our lives. When God called Gideon to lead Israel, his first task was to tear down the pagan altars in his father's house and build a proper altar to the Lord. This act of obedience, though it caused immediate strife, was crucial for experiencing God's peace and initiating a revival in Israel. It serves as a powerful reminder that we cannot hold onto worldly idols and expect to receive God's shalom.
In our own lives, we must identify and remove anything that hinders our relationship with God. These idols can take various forms, such as material possessions, unhealthy relationships, or even personal ambitions. By prioritizing God above all else and surrendering these idols, we open ourselves to fully receive His peace. This process may be challenging, but it is essential for experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.
1 John 5:21 (ESV): "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Reflection: What are the idols in your life that may be hindering your relationship with God? How can you take practical steps to remove them and prioritize God above all else?
Day 4: Peace Amidst Strife
Following God’s commands may initially cause strife, even within our own families or communities. However, true peace comes from prioritizing God above all else. Gideon's obedience led to a revival, showing that God's peace can transform not just individuals but entire communities. [55:11]
Obedience to God's commands can sometimes lead to initial strife and conflict, especially within our own families or communities. Gideon's act of tearing down the pagan altars in his father's house caused immediate tension, but it was a necessary step for experiencing God's peace and initiating a revival in Israel. This story illustrates that true peace comes from prioritizing God above all else, even when it leads to temporary discomfort or opposition.
When we choose to follow God's commands, we may face resistance or misunderstanding from those around us. However, by remaining steadfast in our obedience, we can experience a deeper and more lasting peace that transforms not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us. Gideon's story encourages us to trust in God's plan and prioritize His will, knowing that His peace can bring about profound change in our communities.
Matthew 10:34-36 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where following God's commands has caused strife or tension? How can you remain steadfast in your obedience and trust in God's transformative peace?
Day 5: Jesus as the Source of Peace
Jesus' resurrection brought a new kind of peace, one that conquers sin, death, and all cosmic forces against us. This peace is available to us today, offering assurance and rest even in the midst of life's troubles. We are invited to trust in Jesus and receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. [01:02:18]
The resurrection of Jesus Christ ushered in a new kind of peace, one that conquers sin, death, and all cosmic forces against us. When Jesus greeted His disciples with "Peace be with you" after His resurrection, He was offering them a profound assurance and rest that transcends all earthly troubles. This peace, rooted in His victory over sin and death, is available to us today, providing a sense of security and hope amidst life's challenges.
As believers, we are invited to trust in Jesus and receive this peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a peace that anchors us in the midst of storms, offering us a firm foundation in the face of uncertainty. By turning away from idols and placing our trust in Jesus, we can experience the fullness of His peace and rest in the assurance of His love and sovereignty.
Colossians 3:15 (ESV): "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to experience the peace of Christ? How can you actively trust in Jesus and allow His peace to rule in your heart today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You have no idea the kind of impact that God can have through you. And so listen, we have lots of different opportunities here. We've got short-term opportunities, long-term opportunities, even one-time opportunities for you to come and serve. So if you are willing at all to say, hey, I have some time. Maybe I can't do every week, but I have some time to help out. I would at least like to try it." [27:15] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I hope you have fullness of life. The blessing of God. Literally life as it should be. A right relationships and a right world. When you say shalom, you're basically saying, I hope you have the fullness of real life. That is peace. That is shalom. And when the Lord says to Gideon, peace, this is what he means. When Gideon makes an altar and says, peace, this is what he's receiving from the Lord." [38:41] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you see the unbelievable, amazing grace of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you see that he loves us? Not only on our best days when we do the best things. But even on our worst days and when we fail. And when we're ashamed. The Lord doesn't give up on you. He doesn't abandon you. He doesn't kick you out. He says, no, even in our sin, the Lord comes to us and says, even here I can save you. Even here. I can cleanse you. Even here. I love you." [52:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I can't promise you an easy fix. Can't promise you it's gonna be over tomorrow. I can't promise you that there's peace in Jesus Christ. You're not gonna find it in the things of this world. You can keep trying if you like. Like, read the book of Judges. It does not end well. Or we can make a choice to say from right here, I'm being offered grace. We don't deserve it, but it's being offered again. And what if today we just received it and say, Jesus, I choose to find my peace in you." [01:05:14] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "There is coming a day where we get to sing that song and there's no more reason for fear. There's no more reason for chaos. There's no more reason for pain. There is actually a solution coming and it doesn't come through our power, our abilities. It has already been guaranteed by our Savior Jesus Christ who graciously gives it to any who will receive it. Amen." [01:13:35] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "But maybe you're missing the fuller picture. You're not seeing some of these other parts of his personality, the other things that he does that make up who he is. And God still wants to reveal even more of himself to us. And so hopefully you've learned some of that this summer, that he's not just God, he is the great I am, but he's also our healer. He's our provider. He's the one who sees us. He's our banner is what we learned last week. He's the everlasting God, our healer." [30:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can't have the peace of the Lord while we're worshiping idols. We're not going to have the peace. We're not going to have the peace of the Lord if we continue to worship the things of the world. And so God's very first thing he tells Gideon to do is this. He's going to say, Gideon, you got to go tear down those altars that are in your dad's house. You got to put up a proper altar to the Lord. That is the first step in making things right. It's the first step of you actually receiving peace." [48:56] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus never promised us that when we followed him, everything would be easy. It's not. In fact, when you and I make a decision to say, I'm getting rid of the idols. We're not doing this anymore. I'm not talking like this anymore. I'm not watching that anymore. We're not doing this or going here, spending on that anymore. When you and I make the decision to turn away from idols and to the Lord, some people will come with us and others won't. And that can cause problems. Problems even within our own families." [56:35] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus says, I don't just want you to have quiet. Quiet's not going to last. I want you to have peace. Shalom, true life. And so listen, even though it might cause some problems initially, the only way to find true peace is in me. Gideon is worried that it's going to be his dad and everybody who turns against him. But the opposite happens. His dad turns with him back towards the Lord. And then so many of those townspeople turn with him back towards the Lord. It actually creates a revival in Israel when he made a choice to say, I choose the Lord above these idols." [01:00:07] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. In me, you will have peace. In me, you can have peace. Even though circumstances are hard, even though it's not easy, you can carry a peace, a shalom in your spirit as we go out. Why? Because our Lord is peace. You can look to that cross and see everything we need for life and godliness has been given to us. You can have peace. You're not alone. You don't have to be, you're not rejected. And you honestly don't even have to be confused." [01:02:50] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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