Teaching the Beatitudes: Teaching Peacemaking
Bible Verse
God blesses those people who make peace. They will be called his children! (CEV) Matthew 5:9
In today’s world, it’s hard to find places of peace. Division seems to come easier than unity, and it seems that there are more reasons to divide than come together. However, in the seventh beatitude (Matthew 5:9), God reminds us that as his children, we are to be peacemakers.
Jesus gives us the perfect example of seeing others as God’s children, connecting and building relationships, and sharing his peace with others. Being a peacemaker and teaching our children to be one may seem overwhelming, but Jesus is not only the Prince of Peace but the source of our peace. Our children spend the majority of their time in two places: home and school. Here are ways you can begin to teach your children how to be peacemakers.
Practice at home. Demonstrate kindness and compassion in your daily interactions with your children. When disagreements happen, seek to be the peacemaker to find a resolution over being right. Choose to let kindness and love guide your conversations. We do this by focusing on Jesus more than our own feelings. Jesus chose to be a peacemaker so God could be honored. Guide your children to identify ways they can choose to be kind to other family members. We can teach our children that not talking back and playing nicely with their siblings are ways to honor God and help have a peaceful home.
Peace at school. Help your child find ways to be a peacemaker at their school. If a new student is in their class, talk about how they can become friends with them. Talk about how they could sit with them at lunch or invite them to play at recess. Is there someone at school who may be considered a bully? Point out that being peaceful is just as much about helping someone feel calm as avoiding conflict. How can they show peace to that other student? Offer to be his partner on an assignment or simply say hello and smile every day. Small acts of kindness can go a long way to bring peace to someone else’s heart.
Peacemaking doesn’t mean everything will be perfect or conflict will never come. It means that God’s children are to show his love in all situations. In John 14:27, Jesus gives this promise, “I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn't like the peace this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.” And Romans 12:18 reminds us to do our best to live peacefully with everyone. No matter if we are parents or children, we must choose to follow the heart of God and dwell in peace with one another. We do not have to be afraid, and we are not responsible for the other person’s response. Our main goal is to live for God.
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article Bring Peace to Those Around You.
Natasha Menifee
Natasha Menifee is an educator, writer and most importantly a child of God. She has taught in public schools for 12 years and holds two master's degrees from Georgetown College in Learning & Behavior Disorders and Teacher Leadership. Natasha also serves as the Christian Education Director at her church. She is the proud mother of two daughters. For more information about her, visit www.natashamenifee.com.
