Exiles and Strangers (1 Peter 2:11-12)

 Read 1 Peter 2:11-12 and have everyone give a one-sentence summary of these verses' main point.

Talk about each of the following words and have group members share why they are important, what they mean in this passage and how their meaning should be applied in our lives.

- Abstain

- Passion

- Flesh

- Soul

- Honorable

- Gentiles

- Glorify God

Make a list of the passions of the flesh. Talk about why it is sometimes difficult to abstain from these.

Why is it sometimes difficult to balance abstaining from the flesh and living honorably among the Gentiles? Talk about situations when abstaining might cause the world to be offended or make accusations.

Spend a few minutes talking about the people in your lives that need to turn to Jesus. Have each person identify one thing they can do to help that person think more positively about God.

Spend time praying that your friends would see the truth and turn to Jesus.

Jesus Took Your Karma For You (John 9)

Read John 9:1-2. Why did the disciples assume this man's blindness was the result of sin?

When have you felt like God was punishing you for something you did wrong?

When have you felt like God was rewarding you for something you did right?

Read John 9:3. How were God's works going to be displayed in the life of the blind man?

Did this man deserve to be blind? Why or why not? Did he deserve to have sight? Why or why not? Before you were born, what did you do to deserve sight?  Did this man deserve to have God's work displayed through him? Why or why not?

When has God's work been displayed in your life?

Read 1 Peter 2:24. What did Jesus accomplish when he took your sins upon himself on the cross?

Think about some of the bad things you have done in your life. How has God protected you or delivered you from the consequences you should have received?

Make a list of blessings and gifts God has given you that you did not deserve.

How would you describe the debt that you owe to Jesus? How do you suppose you can repay that debt?

Knowing what Jesus did for you, how can you "pay it forward?"

Identify one person in your life that hasn't earned your good will, but to whom you will demonstrate kindness this week.

Is your love directed toward the Father or toward the world? (1 John 2)

How would you define "LOVE"?

Read 1 John 2:15-17

Define what is meant by "loving the world" (eg. loving food is different than loving a spouse).

Is it possible to "do" or "have" the things of the world without "loving" them? Why or why not? Give examples.

Read the three ways John defines "love of the world". Describe how each of these cravings have impacted you throughout your life.  

Read the following verses and discuss what they teach about the Christian's relationship with the world?

- Matthew 5:13-16

- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

- 1 Peter 2:11-12

- Titus 2:11-14

Pride causes us to believe that we alone are responsible for all we have achieved and accumulated. Gratitude helps us defeat pride. Who has helped you become the person you are? How has God helped you achieve your current successes?

The cravings of the eyes distract us from what God has already provided. Instead of focusing on what you don't have, be content with what God has given. Make a list of five great gifts God has provided.

Selfishness is refusing to see past my immediate desires for pleasure and fulfillment.(being consumed with the lust of the flesh) The opposite of selfishness is generosity. To whom can you be generous this week?

How does gratitude help you be more content?

How does contentment empower you to be generous?

Love for God begins with focusing on what He has done for us and is completed when we allow that love to flow into our relationships with others. To whom will you demonstrate love this week?

Life on Earth is Best Lived for Others! (Philippians 1)

Study Thoughts:

Philippians 1:21-30 is broken into two sections. The first section consists of Paul's answer to the question, "Is it better to live or to die?" The second section builds on this by answering the question, "If I am going to live, how should I live?" His answers are simple, and yet profound.

He determines that while death is selfishly preferable because it means enjoying the presence of the Lord, life is the correct choice because it provides opportunity to benefit others. The unspoken truth here is that life is not worth living if it is only lived for one's own benefit.

In verses 27-30 he reminds the Philippians that they are citizens of a different kingdom. This passage is similar to 1 Peter 2:11-12. He calls on them to live as if they are citizens of heaven, and then uses the following verses to paint a picture of what that looks like. I see at least three character traits of the citizens of heaven: they are unified, they are gospel-centered, they are fearless.

This discussion guide will focus on the first half of the passage. I'll cover the second part of the passage later.

Discussion Questions:

What was the greatest day of your life? What made it so great?

What was the most difficult day of your life? How did you get through it?

When you think of heaven, to what do you most look forward? What questions do you have about heaven?

Read Philippians 1:21-23. What do you like about these verses? What raises questions?

What kind of things would have driven Paul to be having these kind of thoughts? (read 2 Corinthians 6:3-10)

Have you ever experienced the kind of feelings Paul writes about in these verses? How did you deal with them?

When you think about being in the presence of the Lord, are you excited or terrified? Why?

Read Philippians 1:24-26. Why did Paul decide it was better to remain present on the earth?

Life is not really worth living if you are only living it for yourself!

How has someone impacted your life because they were focused on your benefit instead of their own?

What are some simple ways you can be more others focused in your life?

How can this group be more others focused? What are some things we can do to bring benefit to our church, our community, or our workplaces?

How will we pray for one another this week?

Suffering Like Jesus Suffered Helps Us Learn Patience Like Jesus' Patience (1 Peter 2)

Who is the most patient person you know? How do you think they became so patient?

Rate your own patience on a scale of 1-10. What are some ways that we can develop more patience?

Read 1 Peter 2:19-20.

Peter mentions two reasons why people might be mistreated: 1) for doing right and 2) for doing wrong.
 
What are some examples of ways people might be mistreated (or punished) because they did something wrong?  Have you ever suffered because of a bad choice you made? What did you learn from that experience?

What are some examples of people being mistreated for doing the right thing? How can suffering for doing good help us grow spiritually? (check out James 1:2-4)

What do you think it means to be patient while you are suffering? What would be the opposite of "patience" when suffering?

Read 1 Peter 2:21-25.

We are encouraged to follow in the steps of Christ. What do you think that means?

As you read this portion of 1 Peter 2, notice all the things that Jesus endured:

• He was insulted
• He suffered
• He carried our sins
• He was wounded

Talk about a time you've experienced one of these things. ("carrying our sins" might be difficult, but think of a time when someone else's sins have impacted you)

What does it mean that  Jesus "entrusted himself" to God's righteous judgment? When you are in the middle of suffering, how can you "entrust yourself" to God's righteous judgment? Will God immediately judge those who are persecuting you? Why or why not?

Why do we sometimes give something to God, and then take it right back?

What part of your life, or what situation in your life do you need to entrust to God? What step will you take this week to follow the example of Jesus?

How can this group help you?

More thoughts on Sufering: Beside Still Waters Words Of Comfort For The Soul, The Suffering Letters of C H Spurgeon

God's Love Wins... But it Costs His Son (1 Peter 1)

Who is the most loving person you know? What makes them so loving? What is the most loving thing you have ever seen them do?

Read 1 Peter 1:17-23.

What can you learn about God in these verses?

How do you feel about the statement that God judges everyone according to their work? Why would this truth cause someone to live their life in "reverent fear"?

Why did people need to be redeemed? What do you think Peter meant by "empty way of life" (vs.18)? How is this empty way of life passed from generation to generation?

How did Christ's death change God's perspective of you?

What does it mean to "believe in God"? What do you need to believe in order to be made "pure"?

Verse 22 says that the natural outcome of salvation is love for others. How does Jesus' covering of our sins make it easier for us to love other people?

Why is it sometimes difficult to love other people? What kinds of things can get in the way of our love for others? What are some specific things you can do to show love to the "unlovable?"

What sacrifices will you make this week to love others the way Jesus loves you?

How My Suffering Can Bring Hope to Others (1 Peter)

Who is someone you know that has endured a great deal of suffering? What did you learn about them by watching them suffer? What did you learn about life by watching them suffer?

Have you ever suffered as a result of your own mistakes? What did you learn?

What are the different reasons you think people suffer in the world today? Do you think all suffering is the result of sin? Why or why not?

Read 1 Peter 3:13-18. Which verse or statement do you most like in this passage? Are there any parts of this passage that confuse or trouble you?

What are some ways someone might suffer for doing what is right? Talk about a time you were afraid to do the right thing because you thought you might suffer.

What do you think it means to make Christ "Lord of Your Life" or to "set apart Christ as Lord?" Can someone be a Christian and not have Christ as Lord of their life? Why or why not?

What is the "hope" that Christians have? Verse 15 says that we should always be ready to explain why we have this hope. If someone asked you why you have a hopeful outlook on life, what would you say?

Why do you think Peter told them to give this answer in a gentle and respectful way?

How often do you think a Christian should be telling others about their hope? Do you think most Christians do this often enough? Why or why not? Do you think a fear of suffering ever keeps Christians from doing this?

How does Christ's suffering compare to the way we suffer in life? How should this motivate or change us? What does it mean that Christ's sufferings were to "bring us to God"?

If Christ suffered to bring us to God, how should we live? How can we use our suffering to bring others to God?

What are you going to do about this in the coming days?

Spiritual Maturity (1 Peter 2)

Who is the most mature person you know?  What is it about this person that make you consider them "mature?"

Make a list of the character traits of a mature person.

Make a list of the character traits of a mature Christian.

Make a list of the character traits of an immature Christian?

Read 1 Peter 2:1-2.

Have people in the group give examples of things like: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

If you believe that one of these things is present in your life, how can you get rid of it?

What do you think is the "spiritual milk" spoken of in verse 2?

What does it mean to "crave" this spiritual milk?  How would a craving like this affect someone's life?

In life, we recognize different stages of physical maturity (childhood, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood, retirement, etc.).  How could these (or other) terms be used to describe spiritual maturity?

What steps do you need to take if you want the Bible to help you grow to maturity?

 What do you see as your next step toward spiritual maturity?  How can this group help you get there?

Growing to Maturity (1 Peter 2:1-2)

-- These questions are taken directly from Calvary's MORE journal, so they are not necessarily designed to be a complete small group study.  They are however intended to help someone think through the implications of the text. --

Read 1 Peter 2:1.
  

What are the things we need to eliminate from our lives if we want to grow?  

How would you define some of these things?  

Which of these things might apply to your life?

Read 1 Peter 2:2

In what ways is a new Christian like a baby?  

What traits of a baby might be desirable for a Christian?  

What traits of a baby might not be desirable for a Christian?  

How can a Christian move past the “baby” stage?

Using a Bible concordance or a website (examples:  biblegateway.com or youversion.com), look up the different passages in the Bible that talk about “craving” (or “crave”) and “milk”.  What can you learn about your own spiritual walk from these verses?

How would you define a “mature” Christian?  

Make a list of the character traits of a mature Christian.  Which of these would you like to develop in your own life?

Read 1 Peter 2:2. Using a Bible concordance or a website (examples:  biblegateway.com or youversion.com), look up the different passages in the Bible that talk about “grow” or “growing”?  Write down 3-5 observations you make from these verses.

Meeting the Messiah (Luke 2)

Talk about a time in your life when you met someone unexpectedly. Was it awkward? exciting? disappointing? fun?

Read Luke 2:25-35. Have several people talk about one or two verses that stick in their mind when reading this passage.

Verse 25 says that Simeon was "righteous" and "devout". Have you ever known someone you could describe using those words? What do you think those words mean?

WORD STUDY: The word "righteous" could also be translated "equitable". It is really a reference to Simeon's treatment of other people. The word "devout" could also be translated "pious". It is a reference to Simeon's relationship to God.

How does our relationship with other people impact our relationship with God? How does our relationship with God impact our relationship with other people?

Read verse 29. Once Simeon met Jesus, he was ready to die. What are 2-3 things you want to accomplish or see happen before you die? Do you have plans to make those things happen?

What do you think God wants to do through you before you die?

Simeon said to Joseph and Mary that "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel". What do you think he meant be this? (1 Peter 2:4-8 may provide some helpful insight)

Simeon said that Jesus would be a sign. What do you think this sign was pointing to? Why do you think Simeon said that some would "speak against" this sign?

What are the different responses that people have to Jesus? Is it possible for Christians to ever "reject" or "speak against" Jesus (think about Peter)? Why or why not?

Simeon may not have expected to see the Messiah come as a baby, but he was still able to recognize him when He came. Can you recognize how Jesus is coming into your life right now? What is he asking you to do or be? How will you respond?

The Delight of Your Life (Psalm 1)

What is your favorite dessert? What is it about this dessert that makes it so great?

As a group, read Psalm 1. Make a list of things that a "blessed" person will do, and a list of the things a "wicked" person will do.

Verse one encourages us to avoid the "counsel" of the wicked. How would you describe the counsel we receive from the media (movies, television, music, internet, etc.)?

How can someone avoid "walking in the counsel of the wicked?"

How do you think a Christian can avoid standing in the way of sinners and sitting in the seat of mockers, but still be a witness for Jesus in the world? Read Matthew 5:14-16 and 1 Peter 2:11-12. How do these passages relate to this question?

What do you think about when you hear the word "delight"? What are the delights in your life?

Describe what it would look like if the Word of God was the delight of your life.

Give an example of how someone might meditate on the Word of God "day and night".

What is the fruit that results from meditating on God's Word?

How should your relationship with the Word of God impact your relationships with other people (particularly the wicked, sinners, and mockers)?

After looking at this Psalm, what is one specific action you need to take regarding your relationship to the Word of God?

Growth Through Suffering (James 1)

Have each person list five things in life that bring them joy.

Have each person talk about suffering they've recently endured.

As a group, read James 1:2-4.

What parts of this passage seem to go against common sense? What parts of this passage make sense?

According to James, what is the purpose of suffering?

What is perseverance? Make a list of synonyms for perseverance.

Have a few people share how their past suffering helped them develop "perseverance".

How can perseverance enable someone to grow in their relationship with God?

List some ways perseverance is a character trait which enables us to better love the people around us.

How would you describe a "mature Christian"? What are the character traits and personal habits of a mature Christian?

Can someone be a mature Christian without suffering? Why or why not?

Think about the ways you have most recently suffered. How can you demonstrate joy in those situations? (if you have time, discuss how "joy" might be different than "happiness". Use Psalm 51:7-12 to guide this discussion if necessary.)

Take a moment for the group members to consider how God might be "completing them" spiritually through their suffering.

Extra Passages for Further Study:
Hebrews 12:7-11
Romans 5:1-5
1 Peter 1:6-9
1 Peter 4:12-19

Embrace Your Identity (1 Peter 1)

1. Mistaken identity happens fairly regularly. Sometime we mistake someone for another person, sometimes we’re mistaken for another person. Which would be most embarrassing? Why?

2. Have any of these ever happened to you? Talk about it.

3. Often Christians fail to live life to the fullest because they are mistaken about their identity. According to 1 Peter 1:1,2; what is the identity of believers? What might it look like for a believer to suffer from a case of mistaken identity?

4. As “strangers in the world”, why is hope a valuable commodity? What does it mean to have hope.

5. On what is our hope based? (1 Peter 1:3,4) Is it dependent on anything we do? Why or why not?

6. How might the events of life dampen or eliminate our hope? How can we use 1 Peter 1:3-8 to encourage ourselves and each other to hold on to our hope?

7. What is an area of your life that needs a little hope right now? What can this group do to encourage you?

Loving the World II (1 John 2)

"How do we live in the world appropriately without loving the things of the world?"

 

Matthew 5:13-16

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.

 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither 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. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

• Consider what is the "primary element" which makes something what it is.  Salt = saltiness; A light = lightgiving; Salt that is not salty, is just sand.  A light that gives no light is not a light.
• How do men treat salt which has lost its saltiness?
• How do men respond to a light which gives light?
• What is the "primary element" which makes a Christian a Christian?  What makes you different than the "world"?  What does it look like to lose that primary element?  What does it look like to use it?

 

1 Peter 2:11-12

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

 

• Consider four important aspects of this verse.
  • Sinful Desires
  • The Pagans
  • Living
  • Abstaining
• From what are we to abstain?  Where are we to live?  What happens when we get these backwards?
  • Abstain -- Sinful Desires
  • Live -- Among the Pagans
  • NOT
    • Abstain from the Pagans
    • Live among the sinful desires
    • These are the two extremes Christians go to.
• Do pagans need to be avoided in order to abstain from sinful desires?
• How does the end of verse 12 connect this passage with Matthew 5:13-16?

 

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

 

• To what are we supposed to say, "no"?
  • Ungodliness -- not acting like God
  • Worldly Passions -- life without God
• To what are we supposed to say, "yes"?
  • Self-Control -- Practice/Discipline
  • Upright -- Nothing to be ashamed of... No accusation can hold up (1 Peter says the accusations will come).
    • Christians should be the best at everything they do, not because they want to be liked, but because we want the one we represent to be liked.
  • Godly -- looking like God (Jn1) means looking like Jesus through the (Jn14) power of the Spirit means exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5)
• Where does this happen? IN THIS PRESENT AGE (among the pagans?)
• When does this happen? WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE GLORIOUS APPEARING (1 Peter 2:12)

 

HOPE. How we live IN the world MUST be critically tied to what believe ABOUT the world.

• If this is all there is, i can live as i please.
• If there is something more, i must consider the ramifications of that.

 

Titus 2:13 -- "while we wait for the blessed hope"

1 Peter 2:12 -- "on the day he visits us."

1 John 2:17 -- "the man who does the will of God lives forever".

 

The HOPE of the believer is that there is "MORE TO THIS LIFE".

 

VERSES ON HOPE:

• Ephesians 1:18
• Titus 1:2
• Romans 8:24-25
• Romans 15:13
• Psalms 33:17-18
• 1 Timothy 6:17
• 1 Thes. 4:13
• 1 Thes. 1:3
• Colossians 1:5
• Hebrews 11:1
• 1 Peter 3:15

Loving the World (1 John 2)

• How would you define "LOVE"?
• What might be a parrallel statement to "loving the world?" (eg. I love hot-dogs is not parallel to I love Marianne).
• Read the three ways John defines "love of the world".  Give specific examples of what those things might be for someone in their 20s in West Michigan.  Is it possible to "do" or "have" the things of the world without "loving" them?  Why or why not?
• Why do people get married? What's the difference between dating and being married? (snicker...) (MOVE TOWARD "TEMPORAL" vs. "PERMANENT" v.16-17)  Once you are married, do you date other people?  Why or why not?  How might the analogy of marriage be similar to verse 15?
• What should be the Christian's relationship with the world?
  • Matthew 5:13-16
  • 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
  • 1 Peter 2:11-12
  • Titus 2:11-14
• How does the marriage analogy inform our opinion on this issue?  Does a man never interact with other women once he is married?   Does the way he interacts change?  Are there "lines" of appropriate behavior?
• The analogy breaks down when we talk about evangelism.  How do we interact with the world in such a way that we can be "relevant" but not "unfaithful"?  How do we know when to "ask for the question?"  (We usually wait too long.)
• What do we need to do about this?

 

Matthew 5:13-16

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.

 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither 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. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

 29What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

 

1 Peter 2:11-12

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

 

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

What Makes You Different? (Matthew 5:13)

What is the most unique experience you have every had? What made it so unique?

As a group, read Matthew 5:13-16.

The theme of the three “pictures” used by Jesus seems to be focused on “uniqueness”. A city on a hill and a light in the dark stand out from their surroundings because of their uniqueness.

Give an example of a situation in which it would be good to be unique?

Why and how should Christians be unique? Are there times Christians should not be unique? How can you find the right balance?

As a group, read 1 Peter 2:11,12. The two key instructions of this passage are to “abstain from sinful desires” and to “live among the pagans (the world)”. Unfortunately sometimes Christians don’t quite get these two concepts right. Use the next two questions to talk about examples of Christians getting Peter’s instructions confused.

What is an example of someone who chooses to “abstain” from the world?

What is an example of someone who chooses to “live among” their evil desires?

The key is for Christians to find the balance of living IN THE WORLD while continuing to ABSTAIN from the sinful desires that come with the world.

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus contrasts salt with sand (sand is not good for anything except being trampled on). What is the major difference between salt and sand? If salt is not “salty” is it any different than sand?

Salt without saltiness is useless. What would it mean for someone to be a “useless Christian”?

What Do You Want? (Matthew 20:29-34)

• If you could ask one person in this group for one thing, who would you ask and what would you ask for?

• Read Matthew 20:29-34.

• Every aspect of these men's life was overshadowed by the reality of their blindness. Is it any wonder the one thing they asked for was their sight? What overwhelming issues have you observed other people deal with in their lives? What do you think they would ask Jesus to do for them?

• If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be?

• Read Deuteronomy 5:21.

• How would you draw the line between "wanting" something and "coveting" it? If you are comfortable, talk about some things you are tempted to covet.

• Read 1 Peter 1:14.

• How should your desires be different once you've chosen to follow Christ? How might they remain the same?

• If you could ask Him, what do you think God would say are His desires for you?

• Read Psalm 37:4.

• What do you think it means to "delight in the LORD?" How might that activity bring you the desires of your heart? How might that activity change the desires of your heart?

• Would it be better to receive what you want from God or to receive what God wants for you? Why?

• Why is this truth difficult to put into action? What actions might we do to align ourselves with God's desires for us?

• Has this conversation prompted you to think about any changes in your life? How can the group help you/pray for you?