Weekly Study

Dove Creek Assembly of God—Sunday Weekly Study at 6pm

Lesson Plan

Title	Peace Makers
Subject	Ministry of Reconciliation under the Lordship of Jesus Christ
Author	Jim Van Yperen
Grade level	Adult: children welcome with proper supervision.
Time duration	1 hour each week for 12 weeks:  12 Hours. Sunday’s 6:00-7:00 pm May 18— Aug 10 (on Break July 6th)
Overview	Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven having come to the least likely people to His disciples in the opening of the Sermon on the Mount.  In verse Mt. 5:9  "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Mat 5:9 KJV]" Conflict abounds in the church of Jesus Christ. Reconciliation within the body, however, will not happen with the right "method" or "set of principles". In Making Peace, readers are challenged to place their church and all of its dissension under the lordship of Jesus Christ
Objective	Spiritual growth, biblical literacy & growth in appreciation of the privileged opportunity of proclaiming the Gospel's "ministry of reconciliation" to God and neighbor.
Materials	Personal Bible, Pencil/Pen, Personal Notebook or paper. Personal Computer.  All material recommended not required.  We have 12 books on-hand, we ask you to offset the cost by tithing and/or pay $17 to cover the cost of your book.  Or purchase the book at Amazon HERE.
Activities and procedures	Open discussion, large group lecture, reading assignments, about 15-minute video from the author himself, and some other helpful assignments from the authors "Seminar" guide that we have on hand.
Conclusions	The world will perish without the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The world will fail to be reconciled to God if the church doesn't act like the "body of Christ" we are called to be.  Jesus said they will know you by the way that you love each other.  Are we fulfilling the call as disciples of Jesus Christ? "Making Peace is a "why" book, not a "how-to" book.  The lordship of Jesus Christ, not method, should be the object and subject of your search for answers.  The promise of Scripture is that God will allow nothing into your life that you are not able to bear through faith in Him.  Whatever conflict or crisis your church may now be facing, God will provide a way out or a way through for your good and His glory." -Excerpt from back of book"
Extra credit	Recommended supplemental read Book Boundaries.  Also, instead of "keeping the peace" take action to make peace.  Work out peace with someone that the Lord has been nudging you to address.
Teacher	Presented by Ps. Nicholas  Here's some information about our guest author  Fun fact this was required reading in my License to Preach seminary syllabus.  Jim Van Yperen is the founder and executive director of Metanoia Ministries (now retired, limited resources available), a non-profit Christian ministry serving evangelical churches in conflict reconciliation and leadership formation.  He has served hundreds of pastors and dozens of conflicted churches in the past decade (Published 2002), including serving six churches as Intentional Interim Pastor.  Jim and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of two adult children and reside on a small sheep farm in East Washington, New Hampshire.  Again now, retired.
Each week	Proposed Semester Outline: 1. Introduction & reading assignment up to pg. 25. 2. The Mess We Are In: Root Causes (Read Ch. 2 & 3) 3. Why All Conflict Is About Leadership (Read Ch. 4) 4. A Biblical View of Conflict 5. Whose story are we living by?               Passive, Evasive, Defensive & Aggressive Responders               Assignment: Personal Survey 6. Review of types of responders (Read Ch. 5 & 6) 7. Further review of types. 8. Church Conflict & Counterfeit Peace               Living under Lordship: A Call to Submission                (Reading assignment Ch. 9 & 10) 9. Living into the Light: Why We Must Examine & Confront             (Read Ch. 11) 10. Confession & Forgiveness: How We Must Respond                 (Read Ch. 12) 11. Discipline & Restitution: How We Are Re-formed             (Read Ch. 13) 12. Read Epilogue: Seven Calls to Repentance & Appendix:             Forming a Safe Place Group Small Group Discussion; Food & Fellowship; Discuss then Announce next subject THE CHALLENGE OF CULTS AND NEW RELIGIONS.  Finalize Order supply. Summary & Conclusion.  Then break for summer and arrange next course of study.  Likely to return from break August 17, 2025.  Up to 50 seats available in house, attendance possible on YouTube@DoveCreekAGTV.com  Please join us in person!   Updated:  4/27/25