Speak Peace to the People

Small Groups

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). Invite participants to discuss this statement in pairs or groups of three: “Metaphors are often used in scripture to describe complex spiritual truths in understandable ways. What metaphor could you use to describe 'peace' to someone who is experiencing distraction, disintegration, or disease?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You may not get through all the questions in the time you have together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

• Read Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13. Invite participants to have the scripture in front of them, either in a Bible, on a phone app, or printed on paper. After reading it, ask the following questions:
  • What do you learn about God’s past actions in this psalm?
  • Repentance and confession are described starting in verse 8 of this psalm. What do you see as humans’ actions in turning to God? What are God’s actions?
  • How do you see “land” described throughout this psalm? What do you think that means?
• The Preaching Notes for December 6 say,

“Compare English translations of Psalm 85. You’ll find that the NRSV says ‘will’ –‘He will speak peace ... Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet ... righteousness and peace will kiss each other ... Faithfulness will spring up from the ground.’ It is a hope, a promise, a not-yet in a world of striving and often failing, a world of conflict and brokenness, a world of division and hatred…Other translations use the present tense. From the NIV^[1]: ‘Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.’ From the New King James Version^[2] [and New Living Translation^[3]]: ‘Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.’ Why the confusion? Because we can’t always tell. Because, even though it seems absent, this righteousness and faithfulness of God also seem really present.”

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  • How does the meaning of this text change depending on whether the past, present, or future tense is used?
  • “Peace” is the Advent theme for this week. After our discussion today, how do you think God does speak or will speak “peace to his people”?
• Read back through the scripture passage. Is there a word or a phrase that stands out? Write it down for consideration in the week ahead.
• Just One Thing: What is one action you might take because of our conversation/study today?
• Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the other lectionary texts in the following pattern:
  • Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
  • Read the selected text [Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8] out loud.
  • What do you notice about the text?
  • What questions arise?
  • What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

God of Creation and of the New Creation, you have restored your people and your land before, and we ask for you to restore us again. We confess that our hearts and our actions, or non-actions, have contributed to the need for restoration. Forgive us, we pray, and make us steadfast and faithful. Thank you for speaking words of peace to us, your people. May we receive your peace and extend it to others. In the name of the Prince of Peace, we pray, Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.