Hello! Today we are going to dive into the fruit of the spirit - Peace! The world we live in is full of turmoils and we know that there will be trials that we will face along our journey. The struggle is, how do we maintain peace when the storms roll in?
Over-arching Fruit of the Spirit memory verse:
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
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GET TO KNOW THE FRUITS!
Use this to engage your young children in the content. It tends to be a younger crowd favorite, so you may want to begin each "Fruit of the Spirit" session with this song.
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Optional memory verse:
John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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PEACE: Opening songs:
For the younger children:
For the family:
As you watch/sing-along, consider the words. Consider today's topic - peace! How is that Fruit shown in this song? How can you see yourself bearing this fruit in your everyday life?
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Modern illustration/introduction
For the Youngers -
For the whole family -
Horatio Spafford was a lawyer in Chicago during the Great Chicago Fire in which caused a hit to his business. Shortly after that the Economic down turn of 1873 casued even more turmoil for his business. He made a plan to travel with his family to Europe where they had other family. However, something came up with his business, so he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead.
While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship carrying his family sunk rapidly after crashing with another ship. Horatio received a telegram from his wife stating, "Saved alone...". All four of his daughters drowned in the sinking of the ship.
Shortly after Horatio made the same journey his family had taken to meet his grieving wife. While crossing the point in which the tragedy occurred, he penned these words: "When peace like a river, attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, God has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul."
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Biblical Example - Peace
Acts 16:20-36
In Philippians 4:4-7 Paul instructs us: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." In the passage you read in Acts, we see that Paul certainly wasn't free from trials and tribulations in his life. He went through many life-threatening situations. He experienced great hardshipo and suffering in his life. Yet he did so with this peace that is beyond what we can fathom or understand.
Paul knew that he was in God's hands and God was accomplishing His purposes in and through his life. For example in the Acts passage, Paul's being put in prison changed the life of the guard and the prisoners. Paul could have sat there and been worried and upset. He could have questioned what God was doing. Instead, Paul prayed, sang, and trusted in God's will and timing. He took everything to God in prayer and God flooded his life with peace.
That same peace is available to you, no matter what the trials you are going through, He will give you that same peace when you trust in Him. Life is full of uncertainties. We do not know what a day will bring. Throughout life we can face all kinds of trials, or hard times. Even though everything else around you may seem uncertain, there is one thing that is always constant - God's presence with us and His love for us. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on Him becasue He cares for you." We can bring all our fears, worries, and anxieties to God know that He cares about every little piece of our lives.
A while ago, I came across a story of a mom who was coming home from the grocery store. As she was driving up to her house she noticed her children and the neighbor children all gathered in a circle in the front yard. They were excited about something. Curious to see what was going on, she walked over to the group of children. As she got closer she saw what all the excitement was about. In the center of the circle there were four black and white baby skunks. Horrified, the mother yelled, "Quick, run!"
The children picked up the skunks and ran. We sometimes do something similar. when it comes to our worries and fears. God invites us to cast them all on Him and then leave them there. We bring them to God in prayer, but instead of leaving them there and trusting God in the midst of our trials, we pick them back up and try to deal with them on our own. Peace comes when we rest in God's goodness and love and trust Him to deal with the trials of life.
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Application Questions
1. What is similar about how Horatio Spafford trusted God and how Paul trusted God?
2. Paul and Horatio faced some incredible challenges and trials. How do you think they were able to find peace?
3. Is there anything in your life that makes you worried or afraid?
4. Can you think of a time when you went through something that was hard and you sensed that God was giving you His peace?
5. Does God promise that things will be easier once we choose to put our faith in Him? (John 16:33)
6. What is one thing you will try the next time you start to feel worried or anxious?
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Family Prayer Time
As you share in a family prayer time, ask God to remind you to trust him during the hard times. If there is anything that has you worried right now, confess it to Him and ask Him to give you peace. Thank Him for the blessings that he has given you.
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Thank you for taking tim to use this resource! Today's session was co-written by my dad, Daryl Jacobson. He has been a pastor for over 40 years. He and I will be working together to put more of these family sessions together. We hope that they are useful to you and help lead your family closer to each other and deeper in your walk with the Lord!
Thank you,
Rachel (and Daryl)
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