The Importance of Peace

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”

Text Background

• Context: This verse is part of the “Sermon on the Mount.” Jesus is teaching how the people of God should live.
• “Blessed” (Greek: makarios) means truly favored and happy in the eyes of God, not just “feeling good.”
• “Peacemakers” (Greek: eirēnopoios) means those who actively bring peace, heal relationships, and unite people who are broken apart.
• “Children of God” (Greek: huioi Theou) means those who are known as belonging to God and reflecting His character.
• Theological message: Peacemaking is not optional. It is the mark of those who belong to the Father. We become living evidence that the God of peace is our Father.

Sermon Opening (Ice Breaker)

Ask the children:
“When there is fighting at home about the TV remote, what happens?”
“Are you the water who calms the fire, or the gasoline that makes it worse?” 😅

Transition: “Jesus says: the peacemakers will be called children of God. So, whose child do you want to be?”

I. For Toddlers (1–5 years)

Title: God Loves Children Who Make Peace

- Jesus is happy with children who do not like to fight.
- When a friend takes your toy, Jesus wants you to share, not push.
- A child who brings peace is called “a child of God.”

Key Verse (Matthew 5:9):
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Practical Application (for child & parent/caregiver):
- Teach the child to say: “We can take turns.”
- When the child is angry, help them pray a short prayer:
“Lord Jesus, help me love.”
- Parents: respond with gentle hug as a sign of peace, not only with “stop it.”

Activity:
1. Peace Hug: When the teacher says “peace,” the children hug someone next to them.
2. Two Faces Coloring: Angry face 😡 (color red) and peaceful face 😊 (color green). Ask: “Which one looks like a child of God?”

Transition: “When you choose peace, Jesus smiles and says, ‘This is My child.’”

II. For Children (6–10 years)

Title: Children of God Do Not Love Fights

- Jesus does not only want us to “stop arguing,” He wants us to heal relationships.
- A peacemaker is someone who helps people calm down and come back together.
- God is calling you to be a messenger of peace at home, at school, and in church.

Key Verse (Matthew 5:9):
“... for they shall be called the children of God.”
Meaning: People will look at you and say, “That child belongs to God. That child brings peace.”

Practical Application:
- When two friends are fighting, do not pick a side to make it worse. Say:
“Let’s calm down. We can talk kindly.”
- When you are angry, do not shout right away. Count slowly: “1…2…3… pray.”
- Saying “sorry” first does not mean you are weak. It means you are walking like Jesus.

Activity:
1. Mini Drama: Act out a scene of two kids fighting over a pencil. Show no-peace version (yelling) and peace version (sharing, gentle words).
2. Peacemaker Card: Each child writes on a card:
“With Jesus’ help, I will bring peace in __________ (home/school).”

Transition: “When you become a peacemaker, you are showing everyone: ‘This is a true child of God.’”

III. For Older Children / Early Teens (11–15 years)

Title: Our Identity: Peacemakers

- Jesus links peacemaking with identity: “children of God.”
- This is not just good behavior. This is spiritual identity.
- The world loves drama, revenge, insult, gossip. But the children of God are different. We do not spread fire. We carry living water.

Word Focus:
- eirēnopoios (peacemaker) = a builder of peace, a bridge-builder.
- A peacemaker steps toward the problem, not to attack, but to heal.

Parallel / Supporting Verses:
Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live in peace with all people.”
→ Peace is a personal choice. You begin it.

Ephesians 4:3 – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
→ The church stays united when we fight for peace, not when we fight each other.

Practical Application for older kids / teens:
- Do not become a trouble-starter in group chats or social media. Do not spread gossip, shame, or sarcasm that breaks others.
- Learn to speak truth without destroying the other person:
“I was hurt by what you said, but I don’t want to be enemies. I want peace.”
- Pray for the person who hurt you. That is the mark of spiritual maturity.

Activity:
1. Personal Reflection: Write the name of someone you are angry with or avoiding. Pray: “Lord Jesus, soften my heart. Help me walk in peace with this person.”
2. Build a Bridge: In small groups, build a “bridge of peace” using craft sticks or straws. Declare together:
“We choose to build bridges, not walls.”

Transition: “When we walk in peace, the world can see: we are not children of anger — we are children of God.”

Spiritual Illustration

Two brothers stopped talking to each other. Each thought, “He should say sorry first.” One day their mother became very sick. They both had to work together: cooking, cleaning, bringing water, helping her stand.
While serving together, their hard hearts began to melt. They hugged and cried.
They found out: peace is more important than pride.
Lesson: A peacemaker brings healing into the family.

Sermon Closing

Call to respond:
“The world may enjoy fighting, but the children of God are called to bring peace.”
Jesus did not only teach peace — He died on the Cross to bring us peace with God.
If Jesus gave us peace with God, how can we refuse to bring peace to others?

Closing Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, shape us into true peacemakers. Help us to forgive, to say sorry, and to heal relationships. May people see us and say, ‘That is a child of God.’ In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”