Scripture: Genesis 49:10
<p><i>“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come, and the obedience of the nations shall be his.”</i></p>
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<h3><b>Text Background:</b></h3>
<p>
Genesis 49 contains Jacob’s blessings and prophecies for his twelve sons. Verse 10 is a prophecy about the tribe of Judah.
The “scepter” symbolizes royal authority that will not depart until the coming of the rightful ruler — the <b>“Shiloh”</b> in Hebrew, meaning <b>“the one who brings peace.”</b>
This points directly to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, the Prince of Peace from the tribe of Judah.
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<h3><b>Opening / Ice Breaker:</b></h3>
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Ask: <i>“Who here likes it when your classroom or home feels peaceful and not noisy?”</i><br>
Share a short story about a noisy classroom until one student helps everyone calm down and work together.
Connect it: <b>Jesus came to bring peace — not only to the world, but to our hearts.</b>
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<h3><b>Point 1: The Promise of a Peaceful King</b></h3>
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Jacob’s prophecy shows that from Judah will come a ruler whose reign is everlasting. The word <b>“Shiloh”</b> means <i>“He who brings tranquility.”</i>
This describes Jesus, the King who rules not by force but by love and forgiveness.
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<p><b>Cross Verse:</b> Isaiah 9:6 – “And His name will be called... Prince of Peace.”</p>
<p><b>Theological Message:</b> God’s plan for peace began long before Jesus’ birth. True peace exists only in Him.</p>
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<h3><b>Point 2: The King Who Unites</b></h3>
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The phrase <i>“the obedience of the nations shall be his”</i> implies that all nations will willingly come to Him. The Hebrew term <b>“yiqhat”</b> means <i>“willing obedience.”</i>
Jesus invites us to follow Him freely, not by compulsion.
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<p><b>Cross Verse:</b> Ephesians 2:14 – “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one.”</p>
<p><b>Theological Message:</b> True peace means unity with God and with others through Christ.</p>
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<h3><b>Point 3: Living Peacefully in a Busy World</b></h3>
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As teens in a busy city, life can feel stressful — with school, social media, and family issues. But Jesus calls us to be <b>peacemakers</b> (Matthew 5:9).
To be a peacemaker is to choose patience, forgiveness, and prayer instead of revenge.
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<p><b>Cross Verse:</b> Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...”</p>
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<h3><b>Practical Application:</b></h3>
<ul>
<li>Be a calm voice when friends argue — not one who adds fire.</li>
<li>Start your day with prayer and Scripture to set a peaceful heart.</li>
<li><b>Weekly challenge:</b> Write down one person you’ve had conflict with and pray for them every day this week.</li>
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<h3><b>Group Activity:</b> “Bridge of Peace”</h3>
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Divide into two teams. After a small competition, give both teams a joint task to build a “bridge” out of straws or paper.
Lesson: peace is built together, not alone. Reflect afterward: <i>“What helped you work together?”</i> and <i>“How did Jesus build a bridge of peace between God and us?”</i>
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<h3><b>Closing / Call to Response:</b></h3>
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Jesus, the promised Prince of Peace, has come.
Will you choose to be a peacemaker at school, at home, and wherever you go?
Let’s pray that His peace will rule in our hearts every day.
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<h3><b>Short Illustration Story:</b></h3>
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A girl named Dita used to get angry when others disagreed with her. One day, her teacher asked: “Write one thing that can make the world better.”
Dita wrote, “If everyone agreed with me.”
Her teacher smiled and said, “The world doesn’t need agreement — it needs understanding.”
From that day, Dita learned to bring peace.
Just like Jesus, we’re called not to win arguments, but to bring peace wherever we go.
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