Immanuel Church

Advent: O Come O Come Emmanuel

Sing, O Come O Come Emmanuel1. May this time together be more of a time of testimony of God’s faithfulness.2. Emmanuel means “God with us.” Emmanuel came to dwell with us and to rescue us from sin and death. How did God defeat sin and death? How have you experienced “God with us” or this freedom from sin and death in your life?3. Day-spring refers to the dawning of a new day, where darkness flees in the face of light. How is Jesus our day-spring? In what ways is Jesus the light of the world? Where in your life are you experiencing darkness and need the light of Jesus to show you the way?4. How is Jesus the wisdom of God? Where have you experienced the wisdom of God being greater than the wisdom of man? Where in your life do you need God’s wisdom right now?5. The desire of nations come to bring peace amidst turmoil. Where have you experienced the peace of God in the midst of the trials of life? Where do you need God’s peace now?

Baptism & Communion

No small group questions this week. 

1 Peter 5:10-14

1. What questions/observations come from today's message on I Peter 5:10-14?2. What is your typical response and reaction to times of suffering? On who or what do you focus? How does Peter's description that suffering is for "a little while" impact how you think about suffering or how you should think about it?3. In verse 10, Peter assures us that God is actively working on our behalf to strengthen and grow us in times of suffering. How have you specifically seen God do this in your life in recent days, weeks, and months?4. How should verse 10 inform the way we minister to others especially when they are hurting? On who and what do we encourage them to focus?5. As Peter closes his letter, he refers to it as "the true grace of God" in verse 12? What does this phrase imply about this book and the rest of the Bible? As you reflect back through the content of this book, what are some of the principles and lessons that have most helped and encouraged you? What teaching did you find challenging or convicting? In what practical ways can/will you "Stand firm" upon?

1 Peter 5:5-9

Read 1 Peter 5:5-91. All of Peter’s commands here are in the context of living well through suffering oradversity. What commands does he give to help us live well in adversity? What do youthink about these commands in light of adversity? How do they help prepare us towalk faithfully in adversity?2. In 5:5b, Peter talks about people “clothing themselves with humility.” The wordtranslated “clothe” is a little used Greek word that refers to a servant’s outer apron thatthey might wear over their clothing. Given this, what do you think it means to “clotheyourself with humility?” How does this help live well in adversity?3. What areas of your life, may you need to learn to live in humility under the mightyhand of God?4. What is the relationship between anxiety and humility in v6–7? Is anxiety a sign ofpride?5. What things in life bring on the most anxiety for you in life?6. How do we practically cast our anxieties on God? What do we do once we cast ouranxieties on Him?7. Does it help to know that God cares for you? How has God shown His care for you inyour life?8. How can you practically be watchful and sober minded about our enemy? What canyou do to be ready to stand firm in the faith no matter what adversity you face?9. Does it help at all to know that all believers around the world face the same things?

1 Peter 5:1-5

1. In these four verses, Peter gives some direct teaching toward “elders” in the church. What is an Elder? (also read 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Acts 20:13-38)2. Why do you think he addresses elder here in this passage? What do good Elders have to do with remaining faithful and rejoicing in the midst of suffering?3. According to 1 Peter 5:1-4, what are some of the characteristics of a good Elder?4. Peter begins in 5:1 by appealing to them as “one of them.” What does this tell you about the nature of Christian leadership in the church?5. 5:2 reminds the leaders in the churches that all the people (i.e. the flock) are God’s, not theirs. This is an extremely important reminder. What would be some of the implications if Christian leaders viewed their congregations as “theirs” not God’s?

1 Peter 4:12-19

If we are to be prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ. What can you be doing now, so that when “fiery trials” come, you are prepared to stand firm in your faith and suffer well?2. Why shouldn’t believers suffer as murderers, thieves, evildoers, or even meddlers? Why do you think Peter includes meddling in this list? How easy is it to be a meddler and think it is a good thing?3. How might one be tempted to be ashamed of suffering as a Christian? How do we instead glorify God as Christians?4. What does it mean for the judgment to begin at the household of God? In what sense is judgment currently taking place? What will then be the outcome of those who do not obey the gospel?5. What does it mean for the righteous to be “scarcely saved”? See Romans 5:7 and Acts 14:18.6. What does it mean to entrust ourselves to a faithful Creator? Why does Peter use “entrust” instead of “trust,” and why does he use the term “Creator”?7. Are there any sinful or foolish behaviors we are committing that cause us to suffer foolishly rather than for Christ?8. Are we sometimes ashamed of being Christians? How should our thinking change so that we see this as a blessing and use it to glorify God?9. How does the beginning judgment that believers experience strengthen and fortify our faith in Jesus?10. This week, how can we practically entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator? How can we practically do good? What are some promises of God’s enduring faithfulness and love that we can memorize?11. Download the 2024 World Watch List from OpenDoorsUSA.org to learn about the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.

1 Peter 4:7-11

1. In verse 7 Peter tells his readers, “The end of all things is at hand”. Why is Peter’s instruction necessary for us? Do you give much thought to the return of Christ? What impact (if any) is this truth having on how you live?2. How do hard and painful times impact your thinking? What specific passages of Scripture do you utilize to see God and your circumstances rightly? Is there thinking that you need to correct?3. Why do you think Peter mentions prayer as part of living in the last days? What specific things should we ask for and pray about when hard and painful times come our way? How are you doing with the practice and discipline of prayer in your life?4. In verse 8 Peter tells us to “love earnestly”. Why is love a priority for the church, especially in the last days? In what practical ways are you loving others? Why do you think Peter reminds his readers that love forgives sin? Is it possible to love others without extending forgiveness?5. In verse 9 Peter calls us to “show hospitality”. How do you put this verse into practice? Be honest, does spending time with others ever feel more like a chore than a delight? If so, how can “grumbling” be eliminated?

1 Peter 4:1-6

1. In 4:1, Peter encourages us to “arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” as Jesus Christ who “suffered in the flesh.” In your own words, what does it mean for a Christian to “arm themselves with Jesus way of thinking”? What is Jesus way of thinking?2. How do you understand the phrase “whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”? How has suffering helped you mortify sin?3. Verses 2-3 describes the change in life that a person goes through when they trust in Christ. Their lives were once characterized by certain “Gentile” (i.e. non-Christian) behaviors. Now, however, these same people live lives in submission to the will of God. What are some behaviors in your own life that you have seen shift since trusting in Christ? What are some behaviors that still need to be transformed into godly behaviors?4. What do you notice about the list of sins mentioned in 4:3? Anything stand out compared to your experience with fleshly temptations today?5. Verse 4, Christians are reminded that their unsaved neighbors, friends, and family might revile them for their change in behavior. In what ways have you experienced this kind of opposition to your faith as your lifestyle has changed?6. For Christians who are reviled for their change in lifestyle, Peter gives a particular encouragement in verse 5. What is that encouragement, and how does it encourage you as you receive opposition for living out your faith in Christ?7. How does verse 6 encourage you to share Christ with those around you today? Is there someone in your life that you feel God is prompting you to share Jesus with this week?

1 Peter 3:18-22

1. How is the gospel summed up in verse 18?2. Christ the righteous, suffered for you, the unrighteous. How does this affect your attitude toward those you deem “unrighteous”? How does that affect your behavior and speech towards those you deem “unrighteous”?3. Since Christ suffered once for you, and you now have a magnificent standing before God, how does this change your daily relationship with God? How does it change how you work and interact with coworkers/friends? How does it change how you rest? How does it change how you spend your time?4. What do you make of the odd verses about Jesus visiting spirits in prison and making a proclamation to them? How can this be an encouragement to you?5. How would the story of Noah be an encouragement to the small group of Christians facing persecution living in a hostile, host nation?6. Knowing Christ is sovereign over everything in the world (verse 22) and you are in union with Him (verse 21), how does this help you handle uncertainty, fear, etc.?7. It’s difficult to fully experience the blessings of verse 18-22 without living in such a way that you’re suffering for righteousness’ sake. How might God be encouraging you to live confidently for Him, in a way that may invite persecution from others yet simultaneously push you into the joys of identifying with Jesus?PRAYER: Father, we know it’s your will that we be conformed to the image of your Son, Jesus. And we also know that the way that happens is by your Spirit and through your Word. So, please, Holy Spirit, take this passage and use it to accomplish your purposes within each one of us. Lead us to Christ and conform us to his image. And it’s in his name that we pray, amen.

1 Peter 3:13-17

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.