May 10th - Small Group Guide

The question 'NOW WHAT?' in bold white letters against a blue brick wall. 'NOW' is highlighted in orange, and a white logo sits below the text.

 Week 3 SMALL GROUP GUIDE

PEACE BE WITH YOU — THE FIRST GIFT OF THE RESURRECTION

“Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” John 20:19

OPENING

What’s something that instantly brings you peace? Sitting by a lake, Hearing a familiar voice, Walking into your house after a long trip, Seeing someone show up when you thought you were alone. The disciples were in a locked room full of fear…and Jesus walked in with one message: “Peace be with you.”

The disciples are hiding behind locked doors.Fearful. Embarrassed. Confused. Uncertain. And Jesus appears.

What He says first matters. Not: “Where were you?”  “Why did you abandon Me?”  Instead: “Peace be with you.”

That moment changes everything. Because throughout Scripture humanity had lived under another question:

In Book of Genesis 3:13, after sin entered the world, God asked: “What have you done?” Sin brought: fear, shame hiding, brokenness, hostility But at the cross Jesus cried: “It is finished.” (John 19:30) And after the resurrection…

the first declaration of Jesus is not condemnation. It is peace. Because He lives, you don’t have to live in fear.

PEACE MEANS RECONCILIATION The resurrection announces the end of hostility between God and humanity.Jesus stood before people who failed Him and offered peace instead of rejection.

THE PRODIGAL SON RUNNING HOME Imagine a son who wasted everything.He rehearses speeches in his mind:


  • “I’m sorry.” 

  • “I messed up.” 

  • “I’m not worthy.” 

But before he can finish explaining…the father runs toward him. That’s resurrection peace. Jesus walks into the room before the disciples can defend themselves. Peace was offered before explanations were given.

Discussion:


  1. Why do you think Jesus chose peace as His first word after the resurrection? 

  2. Which is easier for you to believe:  that God forgives you  or that God actually wants relationship with you again? 


  1. In what ways do people still “hide” from God today? 

  2. How does the resurrection change the way we approach God? 

Scripture Connection 

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18–19

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1

PEACE BANISHES FEAR, DOUBT, AND INSECURITY The disciples were still behind locked doors.The situation had not changed yet.But Jesus’ presence changed everything.An anchor does not stop waves.It keeps the ship from drifting.That’s resurrection peace.Jesus does not always remove the storm immediately… but He keeps us from being destroyed by it.The empty tomb becomes an anchor for the soul.

Discussion


  1. What fears tend to “lock the doors” of your life? 

  2. Why do you think peace is often harder to receive than fear? 

  3. What’s the difference between temporary calm and biblical peace? 

  4. How has God sustained you during a difficult season even when circumstances didn’t immediately improve? 

Scripture Connection 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

PEACE IS WHOLENESS AND RESTORATION Biblical peace means more than the absence of conflict.It means:

Wholeness, restoration, completeness, life put back together The resurrection restores what sin shattered.

Illustration — BROKEN BONE HEALING

When a bone breaks, healing takes time.

The cast doesn’t magically erase the injury overnight.

But the healing process begins immediately.

That’s resurrection peace.

Jesus may not instantly remove every struggle…

but His resurrection begins restoration.

Discussion


  1. Where do people commonly search for peace apart from God? 

  2. What areas of life most need God’s restoring peace right now?  Relationships, emotions, identity, purpose 

Family, future.


  1. How is biblical peace different from simply avoiding conflict? 

  2. What does “wholeness” look like spiritually? 

Scripture Connection 

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19–20

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

PEACE ENDS CAPTIVITY TO THE PAST

Peter denied Jesus.The disciples abandoned Jesus.Yet Jesus came with peace instead of rejection.Because resurrection peace says:“Your failure is not final.”You cannot move forward safely if you only stare backward.

Some people live spiritually trapped in: regret, old mistakes, old identities. But Jesus did not rise to imprison people in their past. He rose to move them forward.

Discussion


  1. Why is it difficult to let go of past failures? 

  2. What’s the difference between conviction and condemnation? 

  3. How does the resurrection challenge shame? 

  4. What would change if you truly believed your failure was not final? 

Scripture Connection 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

CLOSING

The Bible moves from: “What have you done?” (Genesis 3) to “It is finished.” (John 19) to “Peace be with you.”

(John 20) That is the story of the gospel. The resurrection is not simply proof that Jesus conquered death. It is the announcement that peace has been restored. Peace with God. Peace within. Peace for today. Peace for what’s ahead. And the first gift of the risen Christ… was peace.