Immanuel Church

Read 1 Peter 1:22-251. What are the defining marks of biblical love? (there are 4 listed in v22; also seeRomans 12:9-21)2. According to this passage, why is it possible for our lives to be marked by sucha radical love?3. How are our souls purified?4. What does it mean to be born again?5. If genuine, brotherly, self-sacrificing, earnest love is to be the defining mark ofbelievers, how would you assess where you are as a believer? Where do youstruggle? Where is Immanuel as a church? Are we actively living out thesupernatural love of Christ? In what ways are we accomplishing this mission,and in what ways are we hindering it? How can you help in the areas that weare hindering it?6. If we are to be this love, since we are born again and our souls have beenpurified, and therefore we share the nature of God, what are some practical
ways that you can grow in becoming what you are? How can you live out thislove in greater ways? What heart sins may be hindering this love being livedout in your life?7. Is there a difference between loving and liking? Must we like all fellowbelievers?8. How can I fervently love someone I dislike?9. What is important about the truth that the Word of God lasts forever?

1. How is God your Father? How is he your Judge? Which one is easier for you tolive in the reality of? What are the consequences of focusing on one morethan the other? How does keeping these in balance, draw us to reverentworship rather than give us permission to live carelessly?2. In what ways does God as an impartial judge hold His children accountable?3. What do we mean when we say that the Old Testament background for ‘fearof the Lord” includes an objective, subjective, and psychological element?4. If you will fear the LORD, you must KNOW what He expects.5. If you will fear the LORD, you must SUBMIT to His authority.6. If you will fear the LORD, you must ANTICIPATE both reward and retribution.7. Why is the holy character of God a reason for fear? What distinguishes thefear of the Lord that a believer and a non-believer should have?

Read 1 Peter 1:13-161. How do the cares, trials, and difficulties of this life distract you in your relationship with God and from living out your faith?2. Where do you fix your hope when life is challenging? Where do you turn for relief?3. How could you focus more on the return of Christ? What passages will your turn to? What truths will you celebrate? (Be specific)4. What does your holiness look like right now? In what ways are you growing in holiness? In what areas are you struggling to be holy?5. Of the four "motivating truths" mentioned in the message, which one(s) is most helpful to you? How can/will you specifically apply this motivation to your life?6. Plan on sharing with your Small Group specific ways you lived out your faith this week. Pray for and with each other in this regard.

1. What do you rejoice about regularly in your life?2. How specifically are we more privileged than the prophets? Why is that such a surprising thing for Peter to point out? How should this truth affect our attitude in the middle of trials?3. Just as the prophets were “inquiring,” meaning that they were exerting considerable effort and care in learning something, what do you exert considerable effort to learn? If not the scriptures, why not?

Questions to Go Deeper:Read 1 Peter 1:6-9.1. What typically brings you joy in life?2. Discuss what it means to have an unbreakable joy that transcends the temporal joys and sorrows of life.3. Discuss the reference to the gospel (“in this” in verse 6) and what it is about the gospel that offers a transcendent joy.4. How can this unbreakable joy, be real in the presence of trials? Discuss how the gospel calls us to and enables us to live with joy and pain at the same time?5. How can he say that our grief is for a “little while”?6. Why would trials be “necessary”?7. What does he mean “grieved by various” trials and what is the implication for us?

How do people often feel about God after they suffer for doing right? What are some typical kinds of things they might say?What is Peter’s attitude towards God as he begins this letter? How do you know that?Why is it so important to make praise, thanksgiving, and gratitude a daily habit?What is your current automatic response to difficulty? (anger, detachment, denial, fear, anxiety)

Think of a time when you felt hopeless. How did you cope?Peter begins the letter by reminding his readers of the greatness of salvation.How does understanding and appreciating our salvation help us live theChristian life?

Discovering and Responding to God

Discovering and Responding to God

Discovering and Responding to God