Immanuel Church

1. If we live the beautiful, honorable life Peter has been urging us to live thus far in the letter, what kind of response does Peter suggest in this passage we might get from the world around us?2. Are you able to see yourself as blessed, even if you suffer for Christ? Are you able to see yourself favored and accepted by God in even the suffering? Do you cherish God’s feelings towards you even more than man’s especially when the world is hostile to you?3. How have we (or those we know) experienced that?4. How are we tempted to fear?5. How does Peter help us to overcome our fear?6. If we are suffering, how can Peter say we can’t be harmed?7. How can Peter say we are “blessed” if we suffer?8. What does it mean to “in your heart set apart Christ as Lord”?9. What does Peter suggest will intrigue unbelievers about Christians? How do you think our hope be evident to those around us?10. In what ways might we fail to show “gentleness” and/or “respect” (fear) when we are speaking of our faith in response to the unbelievers’ questions?PRAYER:O Lord, AS our shepherd, help us to live content in all things.To do good, to pursue peace, to fear you and follow in your path and find rest there.To respond to the evil of others with love, hospitality, and blessingFor the good of others, your glory and so that we may dwell with You, forever. Amen.

Exploring 1 Peter 3, Alyn Goossen discusses marriage as a gospel covenant, highlighting biblical submission, inner beauty, and godliness in distinct yet equal roles.
Recorded on September 15, 2024 at Immanuel Church.

Pastor Russ Miller delivered a powerful sermon at Immanuel Church, focusing on the profound messages in 1 Peter 2:18-25. As we gathered to explore the theme of suffering and its role in our spiritual journey, Pastor Russ reminded us of the transformative power of enduring hardships with faith and grace. Below, you'll find a bullet point list of key takeaways from this impactful message:
Christ-like Suffering: Pastor Russ emphasized that as we suffer for Christ, we become more like Him, which ultimately brings glory to God. This transformative process is essential in our spiritual growth.
Endurance with Courage: We were encouraged to take heart and endure with courage, understanding that Jesus has already overcome the world. This assurance allows us to face our tribulations with peace and strength.
God's Presence in Suffering: The sermon highlighted that God never deserts those who are suffering. His presence provides us with perseverance and strength, even in our weakest moments.
As we move through this week, let's reflect on these teachings and consider how we can embody Christ-like endurance in our daily lives. Whether facing personal challenges or supporting others in their struggles, let us remember that our suffering is not in vain but serves a greater purpose in God's plan. We're blessed to have you in our community, and we look forward to seeing you at our next gathering.

Read 1 Peter 2:13-171. What authority have you been under (or are you currently under) that has been difficult for you to trust and follow? Why (please be respectful)?Also read Romans 13:1-7 and Mark 12: 13-172. Using the passage from Peter, Romans, and from Mark, what are some principles you can derive related to being citizens of a holy nation while also being good citizens in an unholy nation where God has chosen to place you?3. Based on our text in 1 Peter, Romans 13, and Mark 12 how maybe should you do things differently in your relationship to that authority?4. What biblical examples can you think of where it is right to not obey civil authorities? What principles can you derive from Scripture related to when it is appropriate or necessary to disobey authorities?5. Why do you suppose Peter inserts the phrase “for the Lord’s sake” in v13? Do we owe the Lord something for services rendered? To echo Jesus’ own

1. Why does Peter refer to believers as sojourners and exiles?2. What does he mean by the ‘passions of the flesh’? Give some examples? Whyshould we abstain from them?3. When have you felt that you were at war with passions?4. Why is it so hard to abstain from these sinful passions?5. Why is it crucial that Christians lead a holy, or set apart life, in the midst of afallen world?6. Practically speaking, what does it look like to conduct ourselves in an‘honorable’ way amongst non-Christians?7. Why do we need encouragement to live good lives among non-Christians?
8. What are some practical biblical steps to killing sinful desire and replacingthem with an honorable, beautiful life? (walk in the Holy Spirit; FleeTemptation; Kill sin; Feed godly desires; Cultivate affections for Jesus)

Read 1 Peter 2:9-101. Who are you? Where do you most look to find your identity? I am...2. 1 Peter 2:9 lists four truths about the identity of Christ-followers: we are achosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging toGod. How does each of these descriptions shape the way you view God? Theway you view yourself?Examine your life.3. Do you believe that you are chosen people? Do you have strong (family)community within the church that cares for you? loves you? Encourages you?And when needed admonishes you?4. Do you believe that you are a royal priesthood? How are you serving KingJesus by extoling his excellencies to praise His name? To encourage otherbelievers? To evangelize the lost?5. Do you believe you are Holy (set apart)? What does it look like to you to live asholy (set apart)? What are three areas you struggle most trying to fit in with
those around you? Why do you think it’s so easy to start looking like everyoneelse? What are the biggest ways that you are different from the world? Whatis the area that God wants you to be different?6. Do you believe that you are a people belonging to God? How have youbecome His? When did you receive His mercy? How are you still receiving Hismercy?7. In what way were you in darkness before you became a believer? When haveyou felt that you were at war with sinful desires? Why is it so hard to abstainfrom sinful desires?8. What are we supposed to do because these 4 statements are true about ouridentity? How are we supposed to be proclaiming His excellencies? What isone area that you can focus on in proclaiming His excellencies?

Read 1 Peter 2:4-101. Read verses 4-5. What does “As you come to him” imply?2. What does Jesus’ name “living Stone” tell us about him? How is Jesus a livingstone? What is His role in the “spiritual house” that God is building?3. Why do you think Peter describes Jesus as “rejected by humans but chosenby God”?4. In what sense are those who come to Jesus “living stones,” and how does Goduse them (5)? What is God’s amazing plan for believers who are rejected byhumans (Eph 2:20-22)?5. How does Peter support his teaching about Jesus and believers (6-8)? Whydoes Peter describe Jesus as a cornerstone?6. What does “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices” mean? How do youwith your life offer spiritual sacrifices? Is there an area of your life, where youare currently withholding spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God?

Read 1 Peter 2:1-31. What is the pure spiritual milk that’s referred to in 2:2?2. What is the connection between being born again (1:23) and longing for pure spiritual milk?3. What does it mean to ‘grow up into salvation’?4. According to the Bible, what are some of the marks of spiritual maturity?5. The main idea of this passage is the command to ‘long for pure spiritual milk’. How strong is your longing (your craving) for the pure spiritual milk of the word? Does it compare to that of a newborn infant longing for milk?6. Sin reduces our longing for the word of God. This is the point of v1. Thus, to increase our longing for God’s word, we need to ‘remove all sinful hindrances.’ Examine the 5 sins listed in v1. Are any of these currently present in your life?7. What would it look like for you to put them away? How can a person go about putting them away?8. How might ‘remembering God’s goodness’ (v3) help increase your longing the word of God? How might remembering God’s goodness help you in your fight to put away sinful hinderances? What are some of the ways God has been good to you?9. If you were discipling someone in order to try and help them grow as a Christian, what might you do or say to them in light of the teaching of this passage?10. In order to help strengthen your craving for the word, consider memorizing Psalm 1.