Sunday, September 7, 2025

Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

With this verse, Jesus indirectly acknowledges something we all experience: when it comes to relationships, peace takes effort and doesn’t happen naturally. Sometimes people hurt us, and we struggle with how to respond.

It’s especially difficult when the hurt comes from someone close to us. We often feel stuck in these complicated relationships, and sometimes leaving isn’t an option – or at least not a simple one.

If that resonates with you, know you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. The Bible offers wisdom for handling tough relationships, which we’ll explore together.

When it comes to difficult relationships, overly critical or judgmental people can be some of the hardest to deal with. Critical people focus solely on what is wrong instead of what is right. Judgmental people are quick to decide someone’s worth without knowing their story. When we are on the receiving end, our gut reaction is to pay back their hurtful words with our own. It’s hard to break the cycle of exchanging criticism for criticism, judgment for judgment.

But Jesus shows us that the best response is one that seeks healing in the other person’s heart. He knows what it’s like to experience hurt in relationships, and he is ready to guide us through ours. As we begin this week, let’s prepare ourselves to learn from God what steps we might need to take to work for peace in our complicated relationships.

Discussion Questions:

Ice Breaker: Share an example of a complicated relationship from your favorite movie, TV show, or book. What makes that relationship complicated?

How would our community change if we focused on breaking the cycle of criticism and judgment and worked for peace instead?

Read Luke 7:36-50: In this passage, Simon blatantly disrespects Jesus with his lack of hospitality, not to mention his critical and judgmental thoughts. What do Jesus’ words and choices teach us about responding to critical or judgmental people? How does Jesus’ use of a story in verses 41-43 demonstrate the heart motivation we should have toward them?

What is your typical reaction when someone’s overly critical or judgmental remarks hurt you or someone you love?

Reflect and Respond: Think about your relationship with someone who has hurt you with their actions or words. Where is God calling you to work for peace by responding like Jesus?

Prayer:
God, thank you so much for demonstrating how to work toward peace, even in complicated or hurtful relationships. I acknowledge that, sometimes, I’m the one being hurtfully critical and quick to judge. Please forgive me and help me work for peace instead. I ask for the ability to respond to the overly critical and judgmental people in my life in a way that strives for their healing. When I struggle with the impulse to repay hurt with hurt, remind me of Jesus so I can respond like he would. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 12:17-18
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

This post was written by Ashley Allen, a Content Development intern at CedarCreek and Findlay attendee.