Message Notes for September 19, 2021
Series: Neighborliness, Title: Breaking down walls

Key Verses:
Matthew 5:9 nlt God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

Colossians 1:19-20 esv For in him (Jesus) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Ephesians 2:14-17 esv For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Building walls comes naturally, tearing them down is not as easy.

Peacemakers are identified as God’s children.

Peacemakers live as conduits of blessing.

Peacemaking looks like:

Family/Group Study Notes for September 19, 2021
Series: Neighborliness, Title: Breaking down walls

In what ways have societies and cultures built walls? What have been the purposes of these walls? What kind of walls are built in the human heart? What consequences do these walls bring? What have been some obvious dividing walls in the U.S. over the past several years? What would it take to break these down?
How would you define peacemaking? What qualities are essential to be a good peacemaker?
Read Colossians 1:19-20 & Ephesians 2:14-19. How do these passages describe Jesus as a peacemaker? What actions took place to make peace? What was the result? How has Jesus’ peacemaking affected you?
Read Matthew 5:9. Why does Jesus say that peacemakers are His children? Why is that so significant and dear to the heart of God? What are the expected characteristics of God’s children?
What is the difference between peacekeepers, peacebreakers and peacemakers? Why does Jesus only identify with peacemakers?
Think together with your family/group ways you can be a peacemaker. Where would you start? What walls can you help tear down?
Pray for these next moves and for God to fill you with His Spirit to make a difference.