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Discussion Questions What does Islam connote for you? What did you see and hear that reinforced or changed those ideas? What images and voices from Turkey and Palestine were surprising to you? Look at each of the four areas represented (Turkey, Israel and Palestine, Germany and Hungary) and discuss how your preconceptions were affected by the people in the DVD. Where were they changed? In what ways?

Discussion Questions How do you understand the relationship between interfaith relations and mission? Europe is often described as Christian, although secularism is on the rise and communism stifled religious practice for decades. What challenges do German and Hungarian Christians face? What hopes do they have? What does mission look like in these places? How is it the same or different for us here in the U.S.? What new ideas do we have to share with each other?

Discussion Questions How did the DVD segment help you better understand situations of violence, racism, and injustice? How do the mission efforts you saw help inform, interpret and alleviate situations of suffering and provide stability? What is the relationship of hope to mission? How do you feel about the statement: Nothing bad and nothing evil can last for ever?

Matthew 5:1-16

Matthew 5 : 1-8 MT 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: MT 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. MT 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. MT 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. MT 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. MT 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. MT 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5: 9-16 MT 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. MT 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. MT 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. MT 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. MT 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Give examples of how you have seen partners living out the beatitudes in this DVD segment. Why do you think the peacemaker in the beatitudes will be called a child of God? Is peacemaking important to you? How do you practice peace? How do you see the church practicing it in a global context? Bible Questions

What can you do to contribute to the peacemaking efforts in the Middle East? What do you think is the responsibility of countries in being peacemakers? What foreign policies promote peace or discourage peace? How and where can countries come together to pursue agendas of peace? Bible Questions

Let Us pray together! God, make us instruments of your peace. Amen