Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 1:3-9,13 The Point: Our faith is focused a sure hope. July 13, 2014 Focused Faith A. Six week theme Resilient Faith: Standing Strong in the Midst of Suffering B. Our faith in God is what allows us to live no matter comes our way. C. Christian hope is not based on wishful thinking, luck or human ability but rather it is based on our Savior. II. 1 Peter 1:3-4 A. Salvation is a gift of God and it is not the result of our efforts. B. The foundation of our salvation is the resurrection of Jesus. C. Evil, Sin nor Devil has any effect on our hope in Christ. III. 1 Peter 1:5-7 A. Our faith in God protects us now and in the future judgment to come. B. The persecution was occurring because of their public profession of faith in Christ. C. Our desire should be that God be praised through all aspects of our lives. IV. 1 Peter 1:8-9,13 A. Jesus told Thomas, you believe because you have seen me (John 20:29). B. We are blessed because our faith in Christ brings salvation and hope. C. As we suffer we are to serve and to do so with gladness that we cannot explain. 1. Ask the group to describe the worst weather storm they ve ever experienced. 2. Before anyone arrives, write on the white board, what kinds of things do people worry about? and as they arrive as the group to write their responses on the board. 1. Hope in Christ cannot be affected by anything in this world. 2. You may not feel like it but God is protecting you. 3. We ve got to be ready when Jesus returns. 1.Discover those that are being persecuted and pray for them. 2. Look for ways to serve God and do so with unexplainable joy. serves as a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Convention and is the Sunday School/Small
Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 1:14-19,22-25 The Point: Live a life that is set apart for God July 20, 2014 Active Faith A. Most people want to blend into the crowd but Christians are instructed to stand out. B.As Christians we are to think and live differently from those living around us. C. Peter was speaking to Christians that were being persecuted for their faith and now he is reminding them to be holy. II. 1 Peter 1: 14-16 A. Peter warned that sometimes people allow suffering/persecution lead them away from God. B. He describes them as obedient children. Visualize an obedient child, now a disobedient child. C. What is the meaning or model of Holy? God, He is different from the pagan gods. III. 1 Peter 1: 17-19 A.Reverent fear = healthy respect. B. Before our salvation we had an empty way of life. C. Why do we live a life that is set apart for God? D. Because God is just, He will judge all and He paid a great price to restore us. IV. 1 Peter 1: 22-25 A. A Christian cannot be selfish! B. Our love for each other will be what others should notice. C. Real love gives without wanting anything in return and real love serves others first. 1. Purchase a small gift card. Place it in an envelope. Put it with another 10-15. Ask the class members to pick the winning envelope. After state that it would have been easier if the envelope was marked WINNER. 1. Persecution should not lead us away God. 2. Our goal of holiness is based on God not others. 3. The motive for holy living is that God will judge and the high price paid. 4. We must invest in those things that will last forever. (God s Word, Love,Others) 1. Make reference to first activity. Does the world know that you are Christian? serves as a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Convention and is the Sunday School/Small
Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 2:13-23 The Point: Trust God in every circumstance. July 27, 2014 Enduring Faith A. The greatest challenge for those involved in long distance running on not quitting but enduring. B. All of us face difficulties and most Christians can respond initially with trust in God but what happens when those difficulties continue? II. 1 Peter 2:13-17 A. Christians are to live in obedience to the government unless the government attempts to force a Christian to do something against what is explicitly stated in Scripture. B. We are to endure so that those that wish to do us harm will eventually find no fault with us. III. 1 Peter 2:18-20 A. Christians we are to submit to those in authority, no matter how they might treat us. B. Sometimes difficulties come because our actions or decisions and other times difficulties come at the hands of evil people. C.God is never glorified when we put the spotlight on ourselves. IV. 1 Peter 2:21-23 A. It is possible to endure difficulties without sinning, Jesus is our example. B. There will be some that say He was God and I m not as an excuse to respond wrongly to difficulties. C. For us to endure without sinning we must focus not on what He did or didn t do but rather on HOW, Jesus put His faith/trust in God. 1. What things do you do to make sure you survive a long road trip? 2. Share a personal story of endurance through a time of hardship. 1. Look at v. 17 respect all, love the church, fear God and obey the law 2. God punishes evil and He provides hope for those who trust Him. 3. We are to follow the example of Christ and endure by placing our trust in God. 1. Commit to pray for and/or serve a community servant. 2.Be positive about that person at work that s always making it rough for you. serves as a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Convention and is the Sunday School/Small
August 3, 2014 Ready Faith Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 3:13-16; 4:1-2 The Point: Suffering brings opportunities to point to Jesus A. None of us choose to have difficulties in our lives but we will have them. B. But we can choose how we respond and seek to find a reason for the difficulty. C. Peter tells us that persecution or difficulties provide us an opportunity to stand for Jesus. II. 1 Peter 3:13-14 A. Remember what Peter did the night that Jesus was arrested. B. Peter is not saying that there will be no harm coming to Christians. (v.12) C. What is it that those who do not know God fear? Death. III. 1 Peter 3:15-16 A. We have the opportunity to honor God with both our attitudes and actions. B. The word reason is the Greek term apologia. C. If we do what is right then those who do us wrong will be shown for what that really are, evil! IV. 1 Peter 4:1-2 A. We must remember that Christ suffered and we should expect no different in our lives. B. If we have made the commitment to endure persecution then we are not going to return to a life of sin. C. We must make the commitment to endure and as a result live our lives carrying out God s will instead of seeking the desires experienced before salvation. 1.What situation would you choose to endure a difficulty for a future benefit? 2. Enlist someone to share a personal story of enduring through some health issue. 1. Christians serving God have nothing to fear because this life is not the end. 2. In love, be ready to give the reason why Jesus is the only way to heaven. 3. A commitment to endure hardships reveals a passion for the new life in Christ. 1. Divide into groups of 3-4. Answer for the following situation; you are part of Peter s first readers. You ve been arrested for being achristian and now they are going to take your life. What do you say to their threats? serves as a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Convention and is the Sunday School/Small
Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-19 The Point: Choose joy even in life s difficulties. August 10, 2014 Joyful Faith A. What turns a good day into a terrible day? B. Surprises can be good or bad but remember that surprises will happen. C. This study helps us know how we can have joy even in the middle of difficulties. II. 1 Peter 4:12-18 A. We should not consider it strange when suffering comes into our lives. B. Peter uses the term fiery to introduce the purpose of the difficulties. C. When we suffer because of Christ we are to be joyful. D. Peter makes the implication that those who do not rejoice, do not truly belong to Jesus. III. 1 Peter 4:14 A. Make sure that the difficulties or persecution is not coming because of our own mistakes. B. Their persecution was both physical and verbal. C. If we suffer because of our faith in God then we have favor with God. IV. 1 Peter 4:15-19 A. Peter says that the reason for our difficulties should not be our sin. B. We are not to renounce Christ in the face of persecution. C. Hard = difficulties of suffering that we must endure to be saved. D. What we choose to do when suffering comes reveals if we are trusting God. 1. Ask the group, What was the best surprise of your childhood? 2. Remove the chairs from the room and ask the group how they felt. 1. We shouldn t be surprised when difficulties come because Jesus suffered. 2. We may be insulted by humans but we are blessed by God. 3. We will suffer because of being a Christian but we must commit to endure and continue to serve. 1. Discuss possible reaction to persecution/difficulties (anger, self-doubt, etc). 2. Commit to pray for each other that when difficulties come we choose to do what honors God. serves as a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Convention and is the Sunday School/Small
Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 5:6-11 The Point: God will strengthen and restore me. August 17, 2014 Victorious Faith A. When we go through difficulties there are those that attempt to minister to us through simple clichés. B. There are no easy answers to most of life s most difficult experiences. C. Peter provides insight on ways to deal with our difficulties that move beyond the easy answers. II. 1 Peter 5:6-7 A. The therefore makes reference to last part of verse five. B. It is through humbling ourselves that we experience God s grace. C. Humbling is acknowledging our total dependence on God. D. When we hold onto the worries of this life it is a sign of pride. III. 1 Peter 5:8-9 A. Always be ready because the devil is constantly seeking to destroy our faith. B. We will not be victorious over the devil if we remain inactive. C. Peter is not saying we should do great tasks for God but rather that we should continually be growling in our trust of God. IV. 1 Peter 5:10-11 A. Peter summarizes his entire letter in these few verses. B. God saves by His grace and He will be able to keep us until the end. C. We are to let God rule and reign in our lives today, in the future and for always. 1. What have been some of the trite statements you ve heard when you ve gone through a difficult time? 2. What do people worry about today? Record the response on the board. 1. Let God have your worries and concerns. In this life; or the one to come, God will deliver you because He loves you. 2. Satan desires to defeat us so we must be actively growing in our faith. 3. When we completely surrender to God; at salvation and every day of our life, we can be confident that He will keep us until the end. 4. God provides through Jesus our hope for this life and for our eternal life. 1. What type of actions or decisions by Christians in today s culture would cause them to be social outcast? 2. In what ways has God s promise of strength and restoration been demonstrated? 3. Review the list of worries people have today. Make a commitment when the thought of worry comes, to give that worry to God. serves as a state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Convention and is the Sunday School/Small Groups Specialist. Visit their website at sssg.gabaptist.org for more information and other resources to aid your Sunday School. You can also connect with Dr. Smith through at gabaptistsundayschool.org,