THE STORY OF YOU – TYPE NINE – THE PEACEMAKER 

 

Ice Breaker:  When you were a kid and wanted something from your parents, how did you try to persuade them? Or, What was the best deal you negotiated? 

This week’s sermon was focused on Abraham as an example of the Enneagram Type 9 – The Peacemaker. The following questions are to help us understand The Peacemaker, ourselves and God better. 

  • Read Genesis 18:16-33  

  • Why do you think the Lord told Abraham what he was going to do? (Genesis 18:17-20, also consider Gen 11:27; 13:1,12-13; 19:1)  

 

  • Did Abraham realize to whom he was speaking? How do you know? 

 

  • What was the condition of Sodom? (Gen 19:1-11; Ezekiel 49-50; Jude 7)  

 

  • Did Abraham know the condition of Sodom and Gomorrah? (Gen 13:13; 14:14-17, 21-24) 

 

  • Why do you think Abraham felt compelled to intercede? (Genesis 18:19, 25)

      

 

From Sermon Notes: The Peacemaker reflects God’s Peace. The Peacemaker’s motivation: To be at peace and create healthy spaces for people to thrive. Peacemakers see multiple sides to any given decision or scenario. How to be real with yourself and God? The healthy peacemaker is always in pursuit of embracing conflict and declaring their wants. Pursue faith with action. They are inclusive, patient and accepting of others. Good listeners and great mediators. Considerate of the perspective of others. They desire to see the world as a more peaceful place. 

  • The Hebrew word used for peace, “shalowme”, has deep meaning in the Jewish culture.  It means more than prosperity; it also has the ideas of peace, rest, happiness, health, safety, and favor of others. What is the difference between “peace” and “conflict avoidance”?  

 

  • What is the peace of God? (Numbers 6:24-26. Psalms 4:8; Isaiah 26:3, 53:5; Luke 2:13-14. John 14:25-27; 16:33. Philippians 4:4-7; Colossians 1:19-20; Galatians 5:22; Romans 8:6) 

 

  • How does the intercession passage above (Genesis 18:16-33) reveal the healthy traits of a Peacemaker?

  •  How is Jesus Christ our mediator? (Isaiah 53:11-1; Luke 22:31-32; John 14:6, 16; 17:9; Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5-6) 

 

  • For whom is God calling you to intercede? (Genesis 20:17-18; Eph 6:18; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 5:14-20) 

 

From Sermon Notes: The Peacemaker’s core sin is laziness. The Peacemaker is indecisive, inactive or prone to procrastination. When Unhealthy, Peacemakers: Avoid conflict at all costs. Don’t declare their own needs.  Become passive aggressive. Can be stubborn. A nine lies not because they’re a liar. They lie because they don’t want conflict. 

  • Read the passage or answer from the summaries provided. How do these passages show unhealthy traits of the Peacemaker? 

  • (Genesis 13:5-13) Abraham and Lot were living in the same region. Quarreling broke out between the herdsman of Abraham and Lot. Abraham proposed a solution that Lot choose his portion of the land and Abraham will remain in the unchosen portion. Lot chose the Jordan Valley where the vegetation was lush and water plentiful. Lot settled near the wicked city of Sodom. 

 

  • (Genesis 16:1-6) Abraham’s wife, Sarah wanted Abraham to have a child, but she was barren. She told Abraham to be with Hagar and when Hagar became pregnant, Sarah blamed Abraham. Abraham, wanting to please his wife told her to do what she saw fit to do. Sarah treated Hagar poorly and fled.  

 

  • (Genesis 12:10-20 and 20:1-17) Twice Abraham deceives the leaders of the territory he travelled in by saying that Sarah was his sister since she was so beautiful instead of disclosing that she was his wife. He was afraid that they would kill him to get to her. Both times the Lord inflicted those leaders and their households until they released Sarah and blessed Abraham. 

 

  • How can laziness and procrastination be sinful? (Proverbs 10:4-5; Matthew 25:26-27; 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13) 

 

  • How did this series help you in your relationship with God, others and self? (Matthew 22:37-40) 

How do I love a PEACEMAKER? 

  • Create an environment where their voice is heard and matters.  

  • Don’t shield them from all conflict; but encourage them to actively engage.  

  • Celebrate with them when they finish projects.  

  • Thank them for their gift to see the other side of things. 

Praise God for Nines because: You create healthy spaces for people to thrive.  You seek to resolve conflict and find common ground when others do not see it. You will listen, value the views of others. You help us to see all sides to issues and disputes and peacefully find ways toward reconciliation. When healthy you are inclusive, patient and accepting of others. You help to bring unity in a divided world and heal division when it arises in the church. You make the church, our families and our world a more peaceful place. 

The story of you only makes sense within the big story of God. 

  • Note to Leaders: The scripture references in (parenthesis) are intended to support and inform the questions. However, you do not need to look up every verse, use them as best fits you and your circle.