Our Savior's Church - Lafayette
Discussion Guide

Peace In The Middle

Pastor Joseph Aranza
|
May 25, 2025

Main Idea

We were taught that real peace isn't circumstantial—it's spiritual and internal. Pastor Joseph showed us that our peace is rooted in Jesus, not in the absence of troubles. He reminded us that storms will come, but the promise of God remains firm even in the chaos. Peace begins when we remember the word God gave us, and it sustains us when we rest in the truth that Jesus is with us in the boat. Ultimately, peace is not a situation; peace is a person—Jesus. If we trust that Jesus is at the helm of our lives, we can remain calm and confident regardless of the external storm. Pastor Joseph called us to reject fear, to reclaim our true identity in Christ, and to stop letting our circumstances define our faith.

Scripture References

Mark 4:35-41, John 16:33, Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah 48, Numbers 23:19, Romans 8, John 1:12, Galatians 2:20

What does it mean to you that peace is a person and not a feeling or situation?

Peace isn't found in calm weather, it's found in knowing who's steering the boat.

How can we practically 'leave the crowd behind' to follow God's calling in our lives?

Discussion Questions:

In what ways have you struggled with anxiety or depression, and how can your identity in Christ reshape that experience?

How does remembering a word from God help you stand firm during difficult seasons?

Where in your life are you panicking over something that Jesus is at peace with—and how can you shift your focus?

Your peace isn’t gone—it’s just buried beneath fear; to find it, return to what God said, not just what you see.

Summary

In his message 'Peace In The Middle,' Pastor Joseph Aranza spoke to us about finding divine peace amid life's storms. Using the story from Mark 4, he emphasized that peace isn't the absence of conflict but the presence of God in the midst of it. We were reminded that Jesus not only calmed the storm but slept through it, showing us that peace can coexist with chaos. Pastor Joseph addressed the epidemic of anxiety and depression, especially among believers, and explained how many of us have mistaken our struggles for our identities. He urged us to anchor ourselves in God's word daily, to remember who we are in Christ, and not to be defined by cultural labels or emotional battles. Through personal stories of loss, addiction, and restoration, he illustrated that peace starts with a word from God, rests in faith, and is embodied in the person of Jesus.

Call to Action

Some next steps to take this week:

Daily declare your identity in Christ and remind yourself of God's promises before the world defines you.

Trust that Jesus is in control and choose to rest in Him, even when the storm rages around you.

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