Fruits of the Spirit: LESSON 3 PART 1 – Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
LESSON: PEACE
Jesus is the Prince of Peace
Memory Verse:
”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
Lesson Presentation: (Teachers: You may choose to make a brief explanation about the other names, but the main focus is about Jesus as the ‘Prince of Peace.’)
1. This verse from the book of Isaiah is a well-known prophecy about the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is called by many names that reflect the different aspects of his person and how he deals with us.
2. Names of Jesus:
a. Wonderful counselor – While “wonderful” can also mean “marvelous” or “awe-inspiring,” counselor means “adviser” or one who helps others. This is why we should listen to his teachings and strive to obey them.
b. Mighty God – Jesus tells us in Mark 10:27 that “All things are possible with God.” Truly our God is an Almighty God.
c. Everlasting Father – In the book of John chapter 1, we learn that the Word was with God from the beginning, and this Word, the one that was made flesh and dwelt among us, all things were made through Him and by Him (John 1:1-3, 14). And we know that this is referring to Jesus, who is our “Immanuel” or “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus revealed to us the character and nature of the Father.
d. Prince of Peace – The Son of God, Jesus Christ, is our Prince of Peace.
i. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Every single person has committed a mistake or made bad choices that caused pain, conflict and suffering.
ii. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior” (Colossians 1:21). Sin has made us “enemies” of God. The bad things we do separate us from a holy God and keep us away from His love.
iii. “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”(Romans 5:10). But even when we deserved to be punished, God so loved us that He made a way for us to be “reconciled” or be at peace with Him again. Jesus came to restore peace between God and men.
iv. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). When we humble ourselves and acknowledge that the only way to be at peace with God is to believe in Jesus, then we are able to receive the gift of salvation and eternal life.
