Peacemaker Catechism

All verses will be English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
1. Who is the great Peacemaker? God, through the gospel, makes peace with rebellious sinners.
Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 

YouTube... 

2. What is conflict? Conflict is when two or more people have opposing desires.
Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

3. What are the different responses to conflict? Escape, attack, or work it out.
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 



4. What does it mean to escape conflict? Blaming, denying, or running from a conflict.

James 1:13-14 ESV Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

5.What does it mean to attack? To harm others with your words or hands.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 "... the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

6. What does it mean to work it out? To make peace through confession, forgiveness, talking it out, or getting help.

Romans 12:18 (NIV84) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."



7. What are your responsibilities in responding to a conflict? The 4 G’s which are glorify God, Get the log out of your eye, gently restore, and go and be reconciled.
Matthew 5:23-26 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

8. What is it to glorify God? When my chief desire is for God to be honored in handling a conflict.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV84) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
9. What happens when God's Glory is not your chief desire? My chief desire has become an idol that drives conflict.
James 4:1-2 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel...

Or YouTube...

10. What does it mean to Get the log out of your own eye?  To confess and take responsibility for any sin you contributed to the conflict.
Matthew 7:1-5“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 

Or on YouTube...

11. What is a helpful guide in how to confess? The 7 A’s which are Address everyone involved; Avoid if, but, and maybe; Admit specifically; Acknowledge the hurt; Accept the consequences; Alter your behavior; Ask for forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV84) ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 12. What does it mean to Gently Restore? It means to softly help another to see sin they have contributed to the conflict.
Galatians 6:1-2 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Or YouTube...

13. What does it mean to go and be reconciled? It means to forgive another's sins that have come between your relationship.

Colossians (NKJV) 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

or YouTube...

14. What is forgiveness? It is a promise to not allow sin to come between your relationship by bringing it up the other person, other people, and yourself.

Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV) ³⁴ No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin Iwill remember no more.”

or YouTube...

15. What should you do if you have sought to do the 4 G’s with a brother or sister and there is still no peace? You should seek help from others in the church.

Matthew 18:15–17 (NASB95) ¹⁵ “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. ¹⁶ “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. ¹⁷ “If he refuses to listen to them, tellit to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

16. Is it right for believers to resolve conflicts with other believers in civil courts? No, wise persons within the body should help resolve conflicts.

1 Corinthians 6:5–6 ⁵ I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ⁶ but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

17. How should you treat a person if all attempts at reconciliation have failed? I should keep loving my enemy.
Luke 6:27-28 "...I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, dogood to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."

Or YouTube...

18. What are some attitudes that will promote life-long peacemaking? The Christian attitudes of love, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Galatians 5:16 ¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22–23 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,self-control…

YouTube...

19. What is love? Love seeks the best good of others.

Ephesians 5:1–2 ¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Or on YouTube...

20. How does love promote peace? Love promotes peace by enabling forgiveness and equipping gentle restoration.

1 Peter 4:8 ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

21. What is humility? Humility is honestly seeing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.

Isaiah 66:2 ^2b ...this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Or on YouTube...

22. How does humility help promote peace? Humility is quick to confess and counts others as more important.

Philippians 2:3–5 ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition (rivalry) or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Philippians 2:8 ⁸ And being found in human form,he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on across.

YouTube...
23. What is gentleness? Gentleness is loving control over your emotions, words, and actions.

James 3:13–15 (NKJV): Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth...¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is firstpure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Or at Amazon Music...

YouTube...

24.  How does gentleness promote peace? Gentleness can kill conflicts and restores others with kind words.

Proverbs 15:1 ¹ A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:24 ²⁴ Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

YouTube

25. What is patience? Patience is enduring poor treatment without revenge.

Matthew 5:38–40 ³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰
And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹ And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

YouTube 

26. How does patience promote peace? Patience stays calm and steer toward a righteous response.

Colossians 3:12, 14a ¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience....¹⁴ And above all these put on love...'

YouTube...