1 Peter 4:1-11 | Living community
“I” Exercises
Church attendance in person was curtailed due to the pandemic. What are your reflections on that experience and our return to meeting together?
At First Glance
Read 1 Peter 4.1-11
Peter here continues his theme of suffering. Some verses here are difficult to understand. Try and stick to the overall perspective and focus on verses 7-11.
1. Read verses 1-3 as a block. What is the contrast Peter paints between their former way of life and their new way of living? How should seek to live today?
2. Why would people be surprised? V.4
3. Try and read verses 5-6 as a block. It may seem a bit confusing
Who will pagans/unbelievers have to give an account to?
Was the gospel given for them?
What options do they have? To live…. or to be judged….
How have we avoided this coming judgement?
4. Peter now lists a range of ways we should share together as God’s people. Seek to describe these
Verse 7
Verse 8
Verse 9
Verse 10
Verse 11
5. What is the goal of our sharing together as God’s people and our meeting together?
A Closer Look
6. How have verses 1 and 2 been applied in various previous eras (e.g. monastics)? What do you think of that way of viewing it and living?
7. Are we ourselves too worldly wise and relaxed about our own sinfulness?
8. Was paganism just a feature of Peter’s world? Can it be seen as the reality today, even if packaged in a more sophisticated way?
9. How can we help those who are stuck in a cycle of sin and wild living?
10. Which of the actions in verses 7-11 do you most relate to and seek to express?
Looking at Me
11. What is the balance between ‘loving life and seeing good days’ (3.10) and not living for earthly desires? (4.2) As affluent eastern suburbs believers (not necessarily all of us are in this situation) is this a challenge?
12. Does God want to judge and condemn or see people live according to the spirit? Why will he ultimately have to do both?
13. Can all Christians serve? Are there any limits of age or gender or ability? Why do many, seemingly, choose to not do so?
14. Go back over verses 7-11 and note all of the positives that are related to active service?
15. How do we keep the ultimate goal in perspective? V.11
Curly Questions
Do contemporary Christians want it all: all that this world has to offer and heaven too?
Pray Together
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