Month 6: The Fruit of PEACE
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
"Peace is not just the absence of conflict. True peace requires taking what's broken and restoring it to wholeness"
INTRODUCTION
Scripture talks about faithfulness as one of God’s character traits and part of the fruit of the Spirit. For this month we will look at the fruit of peace.
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Description text goes hereSome of you might choose to do it all in one sitting. Some of you may do one section per day. Some of you might work through it multiple times. We truly want this to work FOR you! Our prayer is that you’ll feel a sense of joy that comes from spending time in communion with God and then with others as you live out the “practices” you’ll be invited to each week. If your participation ever feels burdensome, then take a break! The Neuma Project exists to assist in your discipleship - both individually and communally with others at FPC, and in your neighborhoods. It doesn’t exist to guilt you into time spent in the word and community. (though if you need a little push, we’re fine to allow this to do that)
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Our vision is that this will be something your family can do together. We will always include a “Neuma Kids” section that you can do with your littles.
We also believe teenage kids can participate in all of the content as well as adults, bringing their own insights and questions. HOWEVER, we are well aware teens + parents + faith conversations can be tricky. For this reason, during Act II on Sunday mornings teens will have the chance to engage this content with each other and their leaders. If all you are able to ‘accomplish’ is a check-in with them on Sunday afternoons, consider it a win! If you are able to sit down and go through the materials together, then you deserve an award and come teach us your ways :)
Start By Stopping
(If you aren’t in a place where you can do that, set a reminder to come back. But please don’t try to cram this in while getting kids ready for school, or replying to emails, or watching Netflix)Don’t talk, don’t move, don’t do anything except breathe. Look around, listen, smell… and be still until it’s uncomfortable. Say a prayer- no agenda, just whatever you want to say directed toward God. If praying isn’t something you do often- give it a shot. Just talk/think/share. In fact, we encourage you to pray aloud! It might feel odd at first, but again, there’s no pressure to do it “correctly.” Just fill God in on your heart & enjoy the quiet.
THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS
–Wendell Berry
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
JOURNAL:
Grab your Neuma Journal and spend a few minutes with this (seemingly) simple prompt:
HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE WORD PEACE?
Write down your response. Feel free to have a few responses or bullet points! You can write a short sentence or a full paragraph to articulate your understanding of peace.
Storytelling:
Intro:
If you have been at FPC on a Sunday at any point over the past couple of months you would have seen plenty of reminders that our high school team has been fully immersed in “Easter Project Season.” The team of 30 kids and a dozen adults has been meeting, prepping, fundraising, and partnering with the Spirit to meet three families who will soon have brand new homes in Tijuana. I, Brad, had the incredible honor of leading this trip for many years and still get pretty sentimental this time of year! Recently I found an old reflection I wrote from 2019 about a few hours I spent in a canyon in TJ alongside that year’s team reuniting with 14 families from the past two year whom we had built homes for. I wanted to share this reflection with you all as I can truly point to those hours as some of the most peace-filled moments of my entire life. Nothing can take that experience of God’s shalom away from me and it’s a moment I return to often when a reminder of what the fruit of peace can provide in a chaotic world. I hope this reflection, and accompanying photos (above), can provide just a glimpse of that to your soul.
Shalom in Tijuana’s “Grand” Canyon
Driving a minivan throughout parts of Tijuana, Mexico has become a pretty normal part of my life over the past decade, as was the case on Friday April 5th. The week’s fearless kitchen crew filled the seats as I turned off the paved highway onto a kidney-rattling dirt road, the familiarity of the neighborhood bringing on an instant sense of peace.
This was a dirt road I’d driven many times over the past two years as it lead to a modest canyon where our FPC Easter Project teams had focused our house building for the past two years. In 2017 we built 6 homes in this location while building 8 homes here in 2018. Fourteen families (and their neighbors) were now a part of our lives, and we a part of theirs.
As the cooks and I got out of the van, we saw one EP team was already there. Hugs were being given and a small game of tag had already broken out in the street between our high schoolers and the neighborhood kids. There was even an in-progress tour as one of the home owners proudly walked FPC kids through their 12’ x 24’ house. We intentionally set aside time on Friday afternoon for our entire team to stop by the canyon and see our old friends, and every 15 minutes or so another white van carrying another team would arrive and the reunion process began anew: hugs, a few tears, laughter, games of tag, and more tours of their humble homes.
One particular mom we built for last year, Lizet, proudly ushered myself and our kitchen crew into her home to show it off. Her eyes beamed as she showed us the roughly 10’ x 10’ kitchen area they had added onto the side of the original house. She also showed us the kid’s bedroom (complete with a tidy school desk next to the bed), and led us into her and her husband’s bedroom. Just above the window was a framed photo, a bit dusty, but easy to spot nonetheless. This frame contained the picture of the 10 students and 2 leaders who had built the home for Lizet and her family, creating a lasting bridge between her home in Tijuana and her friends in Spokane.
After 20 minutes or so, I walked away from the group I’d been reuniting with and found a quiet spot at the top of the canyon to quiet pray and acknowledge how big and how good God is, and how beautiful it is when we work with God to build bridges across differences. I’m not entirely sure what I was feeling; pride? joy? peace? shalom? all of the above? But as I watched dozens of high schoolers run and play and laugh and connect and converse with dozens of friends from the canyon in Tijuana, I knew how much this time had mattered- for all of us involved, wherever we call our permanent home.
- Brad Hauge
RESPONDING TO SCRIPTURE
Settle in and get quiet. Take a few deep breaths. Ask the Spirit to illuminate the scriptures for you.
After you’ve slowed yourself down with silence and breath, read scriptures below.
(If you’d like to use your own Bible please do! If you’d like an online version from the NRSV you can find one HERE)
Then slowly work through the prompts below.
Use your Neuma Journal to write down what comes to your heart and mind.
BIBLE EXPLORATION
Below you will find a smattering of verses from Scripture that revolve around the word ‘peace.’ What we’d like you to do is look up the verses (please read the surrounding verses for context) and replace the word ‘peace’ in the verse with the definition you wrote at the beginning of this lesson.
Spend some time journaling through the prompts listed after the verses:
2 Thessalonians 3:16
John 14:27
Isaiah 26:3
Psalm 4:8
Romans 5:1
John 16:33
Colossians 3:15
Psalm 34:14
Romans 15:13`
When you swap in your definition for the word ‘peace’ in the above verses - how well does it work?
Does it work well for some and not for others? If so, why do you think that is?
Do you find yourself wanting to adjust your previous definition at all based on how the word ‘peace’ is found in Scripture? Why or why not?
WATCH
We received really great feedback re: the Bible Project’s “Word Study” from last month so we’re going to include it again for peace.
Take 4 minutes to watch this Bible Project explainer on how peace shows up in Scripture. The narrators can move pretty fast in this video so please feel free to hit pause if you are taking notes or rewind if you want to make sure you catch all of the information!
Throughout the Bible the word peace doesn’t only refer to the absence of conflict, it also points to the presence of something better in its place. How might you describe the “something better” that God’s peace provides?
The Hebrew word for peace, “Shalom” means complete and whole. Have you experienced a moment or season in life where you felt whole or complete? If so, would you refer to that time as peaceful as well?
What about the opposite? Have you experience seasons where you felt incomplete? Where, as the video states, “life is out of alignment and Shalom breaks down,”
Throughout Scripture we see the word peace/Shalom as something active that people bring, provide, give to other (including their enemies!). That it is an “act of restoration.” The narrator says,
“Peace takes a lot of work. Because it’s not just the absence of conflict. It requires taking what is broken and restoring it to wholeness. Whether it’s in our lives, our relationships, or in our world. And that is the rich, Biblical, concept of peace.”
Where do you feel your life could use peace? Does it feel like it will take a lot of work? Do you have hope that restoration is possible
Neuma Kids
BIBLE EXPLORATION
Open your kid’s Bible to the story of Jesus Calming the Storm. If you don’t have a kid’s Bible please reach out to Ryan and he’ll get you one! You can also read the story of Matthew 8:23-27 HERE.
Before reading the story, look at the pictures with your child and encourage them to make predictions: “What do you think this story is about? How might this story relate to the Fruit of the Spirit - Peace?”
Then read it, and ask your child predictive questions throughout: “What do you think will happen next? If they do that, what might happen? What would you do? “
Relate it back to the Fruit of the Spirit Peace: “In this story, the waves were calm and peaceful at first. The disciples and Jesus were feeling peaceful too.
Then a big storm came, which made huge waves! The disciples began shouting at each other because they were scared the boat would tip over and sink! They were no longer feeling peace.
They woke up Jesus, and Jesus told the storm to stop. Then what happened?
The storm listened to Him! The waves became calm and peaceful again. The disciples felt peaceful again too.“
HANDS-ON ACTIVITY
(This activity does not require any materials. You will walk your child through a short visualization meditation.)
Say something like: “Let’s think back to the story we just read about the big storm. I want you to close your eyes, and imagine you’re in a boat on a lake in the middle of a huge storm. There’s loud thunder above you and huge waves all around you. The waves are crashing onto you, and you almost fall out of the boat into the ocean.”
How are you feeling?
“Now, imagine Jesus is right next to you. He holds you tight, and a strong bubble shield forms around the both of you. You are completely protected in this bubble. You can no longer feel the rocking boat or the splashing waves. Everything is calm and peaceful.”
How are you feeling now?
“When you feel safe and protected, that is the power of the Fruit of the Spirit - Peace.”
Challenge: How Can We Live Out the Fruit of the Spirit Peace?
At least 3 times this week, help your child envision Jesus protecting them. Walk them through a short visualization meditation.
You can use the same one that’s in the Hands-On Activity, or you can create your own that’s unique to your child’s struggles. Have them imagine Jesus holding them tight, giving them a big hug, telling them they are safe, etc.
If an opportunity arises, help your child when they are feeling scared by walking them through the same process of envisioning Jesus protecting them in the moment.
“Remember, peace is like a superpower from God that protects your heart. God’s peace helps you stay happy and strong inside. That’s what the third Fruit of the Spirit - Peace is all about!”
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: PEACE
Each month during The Neuma Project you will be invited to try an experiment. Some of the experiments will be really simple, while others will stretch you out of your comfort zone. Just like an experiment at school, we want you to try them all. There’s no judgment if it doesn’t work, and since we’re all learning together, no one is an expert!
PRAY AS YOU GO
Pray As You Go is a podcast that provide daily meditation sessions using a mix of music, scripture and short reflective questions. They are between 10 and 13 minutes long, allowing for a quick, but focussed time of prayer. Continue the journey with a time of silence and journaling to see what stirred up in your reflection time.
How to use
Jourdan found this particular prayer and wanted to share it with us as we immerse ourselves in the Fruit of Peace. Whether you listen on your phone while taking a walk, through your computer speakers at your desk, or aloud together as a Neuma Group we pray this will center you in what the Spirit has to offer us.
You can find the audio prayer HERE.
PRACTICING PEACE
Former FPC member Sarah Sanderson (whose husband Jeremy was an Associate Pastor) now lives in Baltimore, Md and has made it a practice to travel to the White House each month and pray while walking around the grounds. In her emailed newsletter she recently wrote,
“Beloveds,
I knew when I decided to choose a specific, distinct prayer focus every month that we wouldn’t be able to track with all the latest current events. And, of course, by sending out a prayer guide the week before we met, I knew things might happen in the intervening week that I couldn’t anticipate. So we prayed for refugees and immigrants in February and sick and disabled people in March, not because those were the only groups needing prayer in those months, but in hopes that over the course of a year, we might lift up many of the challenges impacting the most vulnerable people in our society today.”
In a fortuitousness of timing that can only be from God, Sarah’s prayer walk this Saturday at the White House will focus on peace. She writes,
“So in April, I’d like to ask you to join me in praying for peace. I was reminded recently of Proverbs 21:1, which says, “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases.” Let’s join together to simply ask God to turn the hearts of our leaders towards peace. This month’s prayer guide can be found here: Making Peace in Our World.pdf”
While you likely don’t have the option to walk around the White House we still encourage you to take Sarah’s guide with you on a walk. It could be around your own neighborhood, a school ground in a low-income neighborhood, Spokane’s City Hall, or around the streets of downtown.
Sarah’s guide can be found HERE. We pray this time will be eye and heart-opening for you.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
What was the best thing you were able to do or experience in the past 2 weeks? Share that with your gorup.
Share at least one way you’ve been able to take advantage of the change of seasons into spring!
If willing, share your original, personal, definition of the word ‘peace.’ How did you feel about how that did (or did not) align with the verses?
The Bible Project video talked about how peace isn’t simply a lack of conflict, but the presence of something better in its place. How have you experienced that to be true in your life? What was the “something better” that God provided?
How was your prayer walk with Sarah Sanderson’s guide? Where did you walk? How did it change your perspective on peace and that area?
Is there an area in your life that feels broken or incomplete where you could use the Prince of Peace to enter? Share that prayer request and spend some time praying for each other.
What’s next for your Neuma Group? Spend time together after our Spring Carnival at our next Sunday Gathering? (April 13)? Meet up for coffee before worship sometime? Host a “Daylight Savings Celebratory” potluck with your neighbors invited?
BENEDICTION
Have someone (or one person per stanza) read this aloud as a closing benediction for your time together:
“A prayer for Reconciliation” by Padraig O’Tuama
Where there is separation there is pain.
And where there is pain there is story.
And where there is story there is understanding
and misunderstanding
listening
and not listening.
May we — separated peoples, estranged strangers,
unfriended families, divided communities —
turn toward each other,
and turn toward our stories,
with understanding and listening,
with argument and acceptance,
with challenge, change
and consolation.
Because if God is to be found,
God will be found in the space
between.
Amen.
Songs for Reflection
Please use these songs to supplement your time this week. Listen as you pray or as you drive to work. Listen as you respond to the reflection prompts or as you do homework. Listen as you get ready for bed at night or don’t listen at all!