TEEN TALK IN THE WORD DAY 30

Violence


The increase of violence shows the fact that we all have sinful natures that tempt us to do unimaginable things. As Christians, we are called to overcome our sinful natures and be peacemakers.


 Who’s your favorite cartoon characters?
 Were any of those cartoons violent? If so, do you think that impacted your view of violence?
 Do you think all of us have the potential to react in violent and physical ways? Why or why not?

Read: Matthew 26:47-52

1. This is at the end of Jesus’ life when He was betrayed and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Obviously His followers were scared and angry, and one of them, Peter, reacted in a fairly violent way. What would you have done when the soldiers came?
2. Do you think Peter’s sinful nature overcame his better judgment? Why or why not?
3. What was Peter trying to accomplish by reacting in violence?
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, “those who use the sword will die by the sword”?
5. What is our reward for being peacemakers? Read Mathew 5:9
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”

Prayer
This is the prayer of St. Francis, I thought this would work well with this lesson. I hope you would copy it and keep it close.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon:
where there is doubt, faith ;
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness, joy
O divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.