I sat at the kitchen table sipping coffee with my dear friend as I listened to her recount her Solomon-like story of having all her dreams come true, yet she had completely missed everything she really wanted. From the outside, anyone would look at her life and think she had it all together. However, that is not how she saw it. She finally had the mansion of her dreams, closets full of expensive clothes and jewelry, grand furniture, an enviable career, a fit body, and enough money to buy whatever she wanted. However, she was unhappier than she had ever been in her life.

This didn’t make sense to me. However, she explained how the stress of this lifestyle had taken its toll on her marriage, her kids, and her health. She had lost the intimacy she once had with God and was struggling with chronic depression. It is not that having money or things was so bad, but it wasn’t worth what she had lost in the process. She said over and over that she would gladly give it all away if she could just have some peace. She urged me to never ever trade my peace for material things. It is not worth it! Always remember what really matters.

In the years since, she has simplified her life and has rediscovered the sweet peace that Christ so richly gives. Her life it not about things anymore. She has the fulfillment of putting God first in her life and the joy of investing more in her relationships. She values this peace above everything else she has known. This is living!

At Christmastime, we are often bogged down with to-do lists and crazy busyness, and it seems that the peace of the season has long precluded us. This week, however, we are going to reconnect with the Prince of Peace on a deeper level. In our small groups, we will discuss the connection of righteousness and faithfulness to peace, how Christ came to save us from our sinful nature that leans toward anything but peace, and the importance of doing all we can to live at peace with others. Most importantly, we will focus on being at peace with God Himself.

It’s going to be an awesome week!

While we are discussing the theme of PEACE from the 2nd week of Advent in our small groups, we will also proceed with week 3 in our studies, JOY. I am so excited to see how every one of us will experience a fresh lift to our spirits as we revel in the wonderful joy that Christ brings to our lives! Let’s get started!

Here is this week’s info:

Reading Schedule

December 5 – 11:

• Read chapters 7-9 and pp. 163 – 173 of the Advent portion
• Small groups to discuss chapters 4-6 and week 2 of Advent

December 12-18:

• Read chapters 10-12 and pp. 175-185 of the Advent portion

Discussion Questions

Here is a sneak peek of the questions we will be discussing this week in our small groups.

Appetizer Question:

Name some of the traditions, sights, smells, sounds, etc. that make you feel peaceful at Christmastime.

Main Course:

1. For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

What does it mean to you that Christ came to be Prince of Peace?

2. I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly. Psalm 85:8 NIV

In this Scripture, the Psalmist seems to be saying that experiencing peace requires listening carefully to the Lord. What are some situations or relationships in which you need God’s peace? Why do you think it is difficult for You to listen to what God is saying to you in these areas?

3. Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven. Psalm 85:10-11 NIV

From these verses, as well as verse 8 above, we see that peace is closely connected to faithfulness, righteousness, and a refusal to turn back to folly, or foolish ways. How can these help you experience God’s peace in your life?

4. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 NLT

Max tells a story in chapter 3 about losing his temper with a couple of teenage boys who had cut him off in traffic. He found himself acting in a way that was not typically like him, and while he tried to put the blame on other circumstances, he realized that the real blame was his own “punk inside.” He had also forgotten who those boys were. Instead of disrespectful jerks, they were someone’s sons, and creations of God.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you were not acting at all like yourself, but you gave in to the emotion of the moment? Perhaps you also forgot who the people were that you were interacting with. Who or what did you blame, and what did you forget about yourself, the other person, or God Himself? What are some of the things that cause us to forget and to allow our sinful nature to take over?

5. What is the remedy for the “punk inside?”

6. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:11-12a,14

At Christmastime, we are often consumed with busyness and our to-do lists, Peter instead gives us a “to be” list. How can we be at peace with God? How might our holidays be different if we put more focus on being instead of doing? How might that make our holiday more peaceful?

Dessert:

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:13-14 NIV

Christmas is such a wonderful time for Christ-centered worship, just as the angels did. Let’s take a moment to speak words of praise and worship to God.

How This Works

• Purchase the book and follow the reading schedule above.
• Watch the video: Max Lucado’s video for week 2 is free at Faithgateway.com. Week 3 will be available next week.
• Optional sermons: Max Lucado’s sermon series, “Because of Bethlehem,” is also available on YouTube. Here is week 3.
• Optional coloring book: Just for fun, why not purchase the coloring book too?
• Subscribe to this site, if you haven’t already, to receive future updates by email. Enter your email address to the right and click the subscribe button.
• Join our Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for daily interaction, activities, videos, and small group sessions. This is a closed group, and no one will be able to see our posts unless they are members of the group. This is for your safety and privacy.
• Small Groups: We will have photos posted in our Facebook group to mark the location of each small group meeting. You are welcome to attend any group you wish. There is no registration.
• Small Group Schedule:

• Follow my ministry page on Facebook, Shari Lewis Ministries, to stay up-to-date on ministry events and for daily prayers, nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for your life, photos that you are welcome to share, and faith building blog posts to strengthen your walk with Christ.

Merry Christmas! Have a blessed week!