Remembrance – John 15: 9-15; Micah 4:1-5
Sunday was Remembrance Sunday – an annual national event that is kept by almost everybody – led by the Royal Family and arouses different feeling in most people.
Icebreaker
Before we begin the study share together what Remembrance means to each person individually – it will probably include how people feel about War.
John 15:9-15
Before looking into the passage share what people heard on Sunday and how that impacted on them.
V. 9 the word for ‘love’ here is agape – unselfish love: How can we abide in His love? What does this mean?
V. 9-10 are we told here that if we don’t obey Jesus’ commandments then He won’t love us? Can you think of any other verses that talk about this issue?
V.11 what does “My joy” mean? What was Jesus’ joy?
V. 12 Obeying Jesus’ command, in what ways can we show our love for others?
V.13-15 what kind of friendship is this that we need to obey His commands? What is His show of friendship? What is ours?
V.13 is often used to express the sacrifice of soldiers in ‘War’. How do you feel about that?
Micah 4:1-5
Micah belongs to the group of short books in the Bible known as ‘the Minor Prophets’ He witnessed the advance of the Assyrians as they conquered Israel and Judah and parts of his prophecy explain how the injustice of the people has caused this. This short passage is Micah looking forward to a time when God puts things right and people live in love and friendship.
What does it mean for you to be a peacemaker?
What does it mean to walk in God’s paths? (v. 2)
Through Christ’s death on the cross, we can have peace with God, why is this so important? (Look at Colossians 1:19-22)
As well as peace with God, we can experience the peace of God. But the peace of God is not the absence of troubles, so what does it mean to experience the peace of God in the midst of life’s troubles?
Jesus not only breaks down the barriers that exists between ourselves and God, but also the barriers that separate people from one another. Can you think of examples where God has done this? At the heart of breaking down barriers, is forgiveness. Why do you think many people find forgiveness so difficult? How do we begin to forgive someone who has wronged us? Is there anyone you need to forgive, or seek forgiveness from?
What does beating swords into plowshares mean to you?
Further Notes
In the study I think people may want to discuss whether or not war is ever right – and undoubtedly Ukraine will figure in this. Also there will be members of your group who have lost relatives in the First, Second and further wars – remembrance is about that loss, and whether or not their relatives died for a higher ideal.
As a historian I have read bundles of letters sent back by soldiers, particularly during the First World War. For most of them going to War was more about defending their family than their country. A question to ask might be why do men, in particular, go to war? And is it right to fight?
Use the Micah passage if it helps – the questions relating to it do use some New Testament as well.
Most importantly be sensitive to each other! That is part of loving each other. Some will be against war and fighting, some will see it as important to defend ourselves, our homes, and our country. All opinions have their place.