A Character study:

Peacemaking
“And how from infancy you have known the holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed
and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training
in righteousness, so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:15-17

This character study is designed to illustrate this character trait using

verses, stories, consequences of sin and blessings of obedience
found through out the Bible.

Each day you will learn a verse, read a story where this sin is illus-
trated, then discuss the consequences of this sin followed up by the
blessings of obedience. I encourage discussion with your children on
ways they can help one another to stay free from this sin.

Resources: This study was created using references from the Bible
and the book “For Instruction in Righteousness” by Pam Forster

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 Peacemaking
Memory Verse:
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic,
love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Day 1
What does peace mean? An agreement or a treaty to end hostilities. A state of
tranquility or quiet .
What does the bible say about peace makers? "Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children of God." Matt. 5:9 KJV

What does contention mean? Striving in controversy to win a competition or argu-

ment. (Controversy - is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually con-
cerning a matter of opinion)
What is an Opinion? A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or
certainty.
What should we base our beliefs on? God’s Word, not our feelings and emotions.
Is it profitable to argue about opinions? Is it profitable to argue about material
possessions? Why or why not?
Story:
Gen 37, 39-40 Joseph and his brothers (Jealousy lead to conspiracy, lying
and kidnapping, Joseph forgave)
Blessings of Obedience:
Genesis 41:41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the
whole land of Egypt.
Consequences of sin:
Genesis 37:31 So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and
dipped the tunic in the blood. 32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors,
and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you
know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” (Joseph’s brothers hated him so
much they plotted his death and lied to their father)
Questions:
1. What do you think would have happened had Joseph’s brother’s not
hated him?
2. Do you think that God was in charge in this situation? Why?

Challenge: Today’s challenge is to live in harmony with one another, choose a

gentle response instead of a harsh one.

Activity:
Grab a ball and head outside to play catch. Point out that you are able to
play because both of you are participating. Then drop the ball and walk
away. Explain to your child that an argument is a lot like playing catch. If
one person chooses to drop the ball and walk away, the argument is over.
Next time you hear arguing, ask your child, "Are you willing to drop the
ball?".

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 Peacemaking
Day 2
Story:
Genesis 41-45 (Continued story of Joseph)

Blessings of Obedience:
Genesis 45:8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has
made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler
throughout all the land of Egypt.

Questions:
1. Was God able to turn Joseph’s brother’s hatred into good?
2. How are we to handle arguments? Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns
away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Challenge: Be a peacemaker for the day, even if others are not choosing peace.

Day 3
Story:
Genesis 27 Jacob and Esau (hatred and desire for revenge)

Consequences of sin:
Genesis 27:41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his
father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my
father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

Questions:
1. What do you think would have happened if Jacob had not deceived
his father?
2. How do you think Jacob’s father felt being lied to by his son?
3. Did Jacob and Esau’s arguing affect their family? (
4. How does it affect others when you choose NOT to be peacemakers?
(Gen 27:46 family was divided)

Challenge: Be a peacemaker for the day

Activity: Make friendship bracelets together. Talk about what it means to be a

good friend to both our friends and our family members. Their bracelet can serve
as a reminder to keep the peace when conflicts arise. If you have more than one
child, they can make the bracelet for their sibling.

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 Peacemaking
Day 4
Story:
1 Samuel 25 Abigail makes peace with David
Blessings of peacemaking:
1 Samuel 25:32 David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the LORD, the God of
Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your
good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from
avenging myself with my own hands. Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the
God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not
come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have
been left alive by daybreak.”
Questions:
1. Why did Abigail quickly rush to make peace with David?
2. Did her actions to bring peace affect others?
3. How do your actions of arguing or making peace affect those around
you?
How does the Bible guide us to resolve arguments?
Matthew 18:15-17 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his
fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your
brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that
every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three wit-
nesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to
listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collec-
tor.”

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace
and to mutual edification.

Peacemaking Card: Add the peacemaking apple to your character tree! (If you
haven’t already, put up a tree using brown and green construction paper. Each week
you will add a new apple to the tree)
Review Questions:
1. How does our effort to bring peace effect others?
2. How would our arguing effect others?
3. How does arguing effect our relationship with God and with our parents?

Application:
1. What does peacemaking look like in our home?
2. How can we practice peacemaking?

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Please help me to have a heart of peace. I ask that you would give
me the strength to make peace in all circumstances so that I can glorify You. I
thank you and praise you for all you've done for me. Amen.
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Copyright 2010 © Erica Made Designs LLC All rights reserved. - www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com
 Peacemaking
Additional Verses
Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one com-
mits many sins.

Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a
quarrel.

Proverbs 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter be-
fore a dispute breaks out. Help children stop quarreling before it starts. Remove
the child who insists on arguing, enforce a stop to argumentative conversations.

James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder
and every evil practice.

Galatians 5:15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you
will be destroyed by each other.

Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Romans 15:6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Fa-
ther of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in
peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and
quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

Proverbs 22:10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are
ended.

Proverbs 12:20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those
who promote peace.

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