Applying Peace - Teaching Material

In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord declares, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This promise is not only a source of comfort but also a blueprint for how we ought to live in community, embodying peace and love in our daily actions.

Imagine a small garden, each plant thriving because of the care it receives from those tending it. Just as a gardener nurtures each flower with attention and purpose, so too are we called to cultivate relationships with love and intentionality. When we understand that God has plans for us, we can extend that sense of purpose to those around us. This means actively seeking to build bridges of connection within our communities—offering a listening ear, a helping hand, or simply a word of encouragement.

In practical terms, start by identifying someone in your life who may feel isolated or overlooked. Reach out to them this week; perhaps invite them for coffee, check in with a text, or share a moment of gratitude for their presence in your life. When we take these small yet significant steps, we become conduits of God’s peace, demonstrating shalom—the wholeness He desires for all.

As we live out this calling, may we find that in nurturing others, we too are nurtured, growing deeper in faith, love, and community, reflecting the very heart of God’s promise to us.