Exiles: Week Fourteen

1 Peter 3:13-17

Suffering in 1 Peter

  • 1 Peter 2:19-20

  • 1 Peter 3:9

  • 1 Peter 4:13, 16, 19

  • 1 Peter 5:9-10

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…” Matthew 5:10-12a

Three Questions Christians Must Answer to Suffer Well:

  1. Who do I fear most?

  2. What is my true hope?

  3. How then shall I speak?

Whose approval matters most to me?

“Hope is a heartfelt, joyful conviction that our short-term future is governed by an all-caring God, and our long-term future, beyond death, will be happy beyond imagination in the presence of the all-satisfying glory of God.” - John Piper

Do I live in such a way that the world might be compelled to ask me about my hope?

Do I really care for and love the people with whom I disagree?

Communion Reflection Questions:
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:27-28

Examine yourself: What sinful thought, word, or deed do you need now to confess to the Lord?

What have you done, or left undone, that you need now to confess to Him?

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. How do you think you would respond if you were threatened with persecution? In what ways do you think your responses would likely be inadequate?

  2. How would your life, your conduct, and your words be different if you really did not fear anything because you knew that the worst that can happen cannot happen – that you cannot lose God’s love for you?

  3. How does John Piper’s definition of hope encourage you? Challenge you? What false (or lesser) hopes are you tempted to trust in?

    “Hope is a heartfelt, joyful conviction that our short-term future is governed by an all-caring God, and our long-term future, beyond death, will be happy beyond imagination in the presence of the all-satisfying glory of God.” - John Piper

  4. What do verses 15-16 teach us about how to share our faith faithfully and effectively? Which aspect of that do you find hardest? Why? What encouragement or help do you need?