Bible Lesson
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Bible LessonUpdated weekly, the Bible Lesson is written by our Teaching Pastor and/or our Pastoral Intern on the passage of scripture that our church is studying for that particular week. [Currently we are finishing the book of Jonah, and our series is entitled Running from Grace. In July we begin a new series in 1 Peter, The Joy of His Glory.] Then on Sunday our Bible Discussion Groups share answers and insights from their prepared lessons; and our pastor teaches from that same passage in the Worship Celebration that follows.
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BIBLE
DISCUSSION GROUP STUDY QUESTIONS In preparation for Sunday,
July 5, 2009
Passage: 1 Peter 1:1-2 Memory Passage: 1 Peter
2:11-12 TODAY:
From your study this past week, what is one thing
that impressed you that can be of help in your life? DAY 1 – ASK FOR INSIGHT
READ THE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1 Peter 1.
Read through
this chapter. Mark every time the
word grace, glory or hope appears.
What does Peter want his readers to understand about God’s grace?
(b)
What kind of hope
does Peter say we have? What is that
hope based upon? What if it was not
based on this but on our own efforts?
(c)
What two kinds of glory are mentioned in
chapter one? What does the Word of
God say about the glory of man? How
does the glory that we receive through Jesus differ (1 Peter 1:7-8)?
(d)
Who was Peter
writing to? What three terms does he
use to describe them in verses 1-2?
What is the basis of their election (vs. 2)?
What is the outcome of their election (vs. 2)?
(e)
Family:
Read 1 Peter 1:3-12. What kinds of
problems were these Christians facing?
How would knowing who they are in Christ help them to face this?
What does he mean by testing their faith by fire?
Pray for Christians around the world who are suffering persecution for
their faith.
DAY 2 –
ASK FOR INSIGHT
READ THE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1 Peter 2.
Read through this chapter.
Make a list of the different terms that Peter uses to describe believers
in this chapter (vv. 2, 5, 9, 11).
Why does he choose these terms?
Which term best expresses how you feel as a believer trying to live for Christ
today?
(b)
How are believers
to grow in Christ? What has God
given us to help us to grow?
(c)
How are Christians
supposed to act in this world (vv. 11-12)?
Why? What does he call
believers in verse 11? Compare this
with 1 Peter 1:1-2.
(d)
Who does Peter
point us to as an example when we suffer?
What are some of the things that we can learn from the sufferings of
Jesus?
(e)
Family:
Read 1 Peter 2:15-25. What is God’s
will for believers in all situations?
How can the example of Jesus help us in difficult times?
What difficulties are you facing right now?
Take some time to pray together for these difficulties.
DAY 3 –
ASK FOR INSIGHT
READ THE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1 Peter 3.
Read through this chapter.
What areas of submission to others are mentioned in this chapter?
How does a heart attitude of submission provide a positive witness for
Christ?
(b)
What advice does
Peter give to wives who are married to non-believers?
How would this fit under the theme of suffering for God’s glory?
(c)
How does having a
heart of submission help in a marriage relationship?
Is this a mutual submission or just submission by the wife?
What are the reasons Peter gives to husbands for treating their wives
rightly?
(d)
What does Peter
tell us about handling conflict in the Body of Christ?
What tends to get us all into trouble (1 Peter 3:10; James 3:1-10)?
How can our response affect our witness (1 Peter 3:15)?
(e)
Family:
Read 1 Peter 3:8-16. What is the
right way to respond to those who treat you badly?
How do you usually respond?
Does this include family members?
Ask the Lord to help you to respond rightly to one another this week?
DAY 4 –
ASK FOR INSIGHT
READ THE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1 Peter 4.
How should we respond when
others offend us? What does it mean
“love covers all offenses?”
(b)
What does Peter say
about spiritual gifts in 1 Peter 4:10-11?
Do all have the same gifts?
How should we use our gifts?
(c)
Are suffering and
persecution normal for believers (1 Peter 4:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4; 2
Thessalonians 3:12)? Why should we
rejoice when we suffer as Christians?
(d)
How is the glory of
God revealed in our suffering rightly?
(e)
Family:
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19. Talk about the
various types of sufferings that believers face?
How does Peter tell us to handle them?
Who are some believers you know that are suffering?
Pray for them today.
DAY 5 – ASK FOR INSIGHT
READ THE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1 Peter 5.
How does Peter address the
elders of these churches?
Summarize the attitude that elders are to have.
(b)
How is the theme of
submission also found in this chapter?
Who should have this attitude?
Ultimately all submission should be to God alone.
Where is this teaching found in this chapter?
(c)
Who is carrying
this letter to these Christians?
Where else have we seen this person (Acts 15:22; Acts 15:32; Acts 15:36-41)?
What does this tell you about the relationship between Peter and Paul in
their ministries?
(d)
Where does Peter
say he is writing from (1 Peter 5:13)?
Is this the actual city or does it represent something (Revelation 17:5;
Revelation 18:10)?
(e)
Find the words,
grace and glory in this chapter.
Summarize what these words should mean to believers in suffering.
(f)
Family:
Read 1 Peter 5:5-10. What are we
told to do with all our cares? Why
should we do this? What is the devil
seeking to do to us through the struggles and sufferings we experience?
Pray that you might be able to stand firm against all that the enemy
throws at you this week.
DAY 6 –
ASK FOR INSIGHT
READ THE PASSAGE
Think back
through what you have learned each day this week.
Read 1 Peter 1:1-2.
What does it mean to be a pilgrim and a
stranger? In what ways are
Christians pilgrims and strangers in this world?
How is our response to suffering part of our witness?
What are some areas of suffering that you face that Peter touches upon in
this letter? Pray for believers
around the world for whom even gathering to worship tomorrow might result in
severe suffering.
DATE:
July 5, 2009
PASSAGE: 1 Peter 1:1-2
The Joy of Living for God’s
Glory
“believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and
full of glory.”
BIBLE
DISCUSSION GROUP STUDY QUESTIONS In preparation for Sunday,
July 12, 2009
Passage: 1Peter 1:1-12 Memory Passage: 1Peter 1:3 TODAY:
From your study this past week, what is one thing
that impressed you that can be of help in your life? DAY 1 – PRAY FOR INSIGHT
READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1Peter 1:1-2.
Is this letter written to Jews or to Gentiles or
both? Why (1Peter 1:17-18, 2:11)?
What was “The Diaspora” (Deuteronomy 28:25; 2 Kings 17:5-6; 24:14)? [note: NASB
and NIV translate “dispersion” as “scattered”] Why would Peter refer to his
readers as “exiles of the dispersion” (ESV/NKJV)?
(b)
Where is Peter
writing this letter to? What four ways are these people chosen/elected? How do
these four things paint a better picture of our election?
(c)
Think about it:
How do these verses describe what God has done for us in salvation? How do these
verses describe what He is doing?
Why does Paul greet them with a blessing of grace and peace?
Are these things always present in your life? How does the description of
who we are bring grace and peace?
(d)
Family:
Read 1Peter 1:1-2. Who is this
letter written to? Who was a part of
the Diaspora? How are we exiles now?
What four ways does Peter say we are chosen/elected? Why is each of these
important? What does Peter greet
them with? How are grace and peace
connected with the previous statements?
Pray that grace and peace would be present in your family today.
DAY 2 –
PRAY FOR INSIGHT
READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1Peter 1:3-5.
What is it that causes Peter to praise
God at the beginning of verse 3?
What is the reason that we have been caused to be born again? What two things
have we been born again to? When are these two things realized?
(b)
What does it mean
that our inheritance is imperishable? Undefiled? And Unfading?
How are we guarded? What are we guarded for?
What might this mean concerning our ability to lose faith?
What kind of security does this bring us?
(c)
Think about it:
Why does he talk about our salvation in verse 5 as something that is going to be
revealed? What does this infer about
the state of our salvation right now?
Do you ever feel a longing for that final day for that very reason?
Why would this be important to remember?
(d)
Family:
Read 1Peter 1:3-5. What motivates
God to cause us to be born again?
What two things are we born again to?
What kind of inheritance do we receive?
What does this passage say about God’s faithfulness to us?
Do you believe that God is guarding your faith?
Thank God that His sovereign hand is guarding your faith and pray that He
would strengthen your faith daily.
DAY 3 –
PRAY FOR INSIGHT
READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1Peter 1:6-7.
In what or whom do we rejoice? Why
does Peter say various trials might be necessary?
Does this refer to discipline because of sin?
If so why? If not what does it mean?
(b)
What is the meaning
of the illustration that he gives in verse 7?
Do you see trials like Peter is describing them to be?
What does a successful enduring look like according to verse 7?
(c)
Think about it:
What are
some obvious trials that anyone might endure?
What might be some more subtle ways in which we endure trials?
How do things that make us angry, frustrated, stressed, tired, lonely,
depressed act as trials in our lives?
Are we to weather these the same way?
How are you doing with this?
(d)
Family:
Read 1Peter 1:6-7. How does Peter talk about trials? What purpose do they serve?
What are some trials in your life?
What is the purpose of these trials?
Are you able to rejoice in them, knowing that God is wishing to draw you
to Him through them? Pray that your
heart and mind would see trials as blessings from God and an eager challenge to
trust in Him fully.
DAY 4 –
PRAY FOR INSIGHT
READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1Peter 1:8-9.
What three ways is faith being described in these verses?
Do you often think of belief in these terms? Why or why not?
Are any of these lacking from your life? What is the outcome of such
faith?
(b)
Think about it:
Do you love Christ? Why or why not? Do you believe in Him, not just things about
Him but believe in Him as your savior and Lord? Why or why not?
Do you rejoice with joy? Why
or why not?
(c)
Project:
Reflect on these verses. Take
some time to write out how you feel
about Christ and why you believe in Him as your sufficiency.
(d)
Family:
Read 1 Peter 1:8-9. Talk about the
three ways that faith is being described in these verses.
Do you fail to see faith in any of these three ways?
Which one do you struggle with the most and why?
Pray that your faith would be filled with love, belief in Christ, and
joy.
DAY 5 – PRAY FOR INSIGHT
READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE
(a)
Read 1Peter 1:10-12.
What prophets is Peter referring to (Hebrews 1:1)? What were they eager
to find out? Who was guiding them in
their search? How does the Spirit
play a similar if not the same role in us today (Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6;
2Peter 1:20-21)?
(b)
What two things
were indicated about Christ? How
does this relate to how we are to handle sufferings (1Peter 1:6-7)?
(c)
How is the ministry
of the Prophets described in verse 12? How has this ministry changed for us
(Colossians 1:24-26)? How is it
similar (1Thess. 1:5-6)?
(d)
Think about it:
The end of verse 12 states that even the angels
longed to look into what Christ was to accomplish.
Do you see your faith in Christ as something this special?
Has it grown dry or merely just something that you are?
Pray through Psalm 63 today, asking God to make David’s heart yours.
(e)
Family:
Read 1Peter 1:10-12. Talk about who the prophets being talked about were and why
they are important. What is unique
about their ministry? How does the
Spirit play a similar role in us today (Rom. 8:9; Gal. 4:6; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)? Do
you feel a longing like the angels do to know and understand what Christ is
doing and has done? Pray that your
heart would be filled with a desire to seek after the mysteries and truths of
Christ and the word.
DAY 6 –
PRAY FOR INSIGHT
READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE
(e)
Think back
through what you have learned each day this week.
How has Peter talked about our salvation?
Who is in control of keeping us?
How do you see your present sufferings or trials in light of what Christ
has done? Where is your hope for the
future grounded, in your own abilities or in Christ?
DATE:
July 12, 2009
PASSAGE: 1Peter 1:1-12
The Joy of God’s Grace
“Blessed be God…who has caused us to be born again…”
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