Class Discussion Questions

Content for a Class Discussion

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The TASK

As a family, get together to discuss a few of these questions, based on Ken’s passage on Sunday October 18.

As a class, while we may not be able to get together, we CAN get on the phone and have a spiritual conversation. Will you commit to this process, to get more out of what Ken preaches on Sunday?

You can get on our “BIG3 List” – after the service, Ken will text out at least three reflection questions to help you think about the message from Sunday and reflect on its application to your life. They are great for conversation starters with friends and family. Simply text only the word BIG3 to 757-330-4484 and you will get on our BIG3 List.

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS 

Blessings Proven in Suffering (1 Peter 3:8-22)   

Introduction Questions: 

  1. What childhood fight do you remember most vividly?  
  2. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being nerves of steel), how good would you say you are at controlling your temper? 
  3. How likely are people going to suffer for doing the right thing?  

1 Peter 3:9 – give a blessing rather than an insult. We will suffer when we strive to do right. How can we be people ready to bless others? 

  1. We are people of blessing, so we bless others. 1 Peter 3:8 

5 ways to be a blessing… 

  1. Live harmoniously – Romans 12:18, live well with others. 
  2. Be sympathetic – we enter into the lives of the other person, their pains and joys. See 1 Corinthians 12:26 
  3. Loving as brothers – there is a familial responsibility to one another. 
  4. Be compassionate – the deep place in one’s “gut,” a moving felt love for others.  
  5. Be humble – “a deep sense of one’s littleness.” 

Olympic illustration – Madeline DiRado, age 23, 2016 – swimming, “winning is not my end purpose, but God cares about my soul, do I bring his love into the world and to my teammates?” 4 medals that year. “Can I bless others around me n the same ways God has been so gracious with me?”  

Do you have what it takes to bless others? You are indeed blessed. Beth Ireland in Texas. Political office. Ken preached both of their funerals. How are you? “I am blessed” was her normal reply, even when cancer had taken its toll. Ken asked at the service, “How are you?” And the funeral audience responded with “I am blessed.” 

  1. We are people of blessings because of our own spiritual blessings. 1 Peter 3:9-22 
  1. God has us – 3:10-12. God’s favor is settled upon us. Live out that blessing. What are our blessings? 

God truly has us. Psalm 34:10-12. Fear or terror is used. Living scattered. God has you and he has your enemy and adversity. Vance Havner – God doesn’t operate on our time-table. Don’t give up. “It is still God who is at work. Trust him.”  

  1. Jesus represents our standard for life – 3:13-16 

Jesus represents the standard for your life – 3:13. Reason for your hope, 3:15. Live confidently in him. Keep a clear conscience 3:16.  

  1. We are secure in our relationship with God, 3:17-22 – security.  

He can be trusted in unimaginable hardship. 3:19-21 – preached to the spirits in prison, baptism and Noah, saved? Interpretation, not that Jesus went to hell, but his mission to announce the freedom from earthly captivity. Others with the attributes of God, omni-present. Context in 3:18, Jesus alive in spirit, the resurrection proclaims one finds peace with God. The cross and resurrection are sure and necessary. Difficult verse.  

  1. Martin Luther – even I don’t know what Peter meant.  
  2. William Barclay – this is a picture painted in poetry rather than doctrine.  
    1. Jesus drained the cup of death,  
    2. Love and grace are universal for those who trust him in this live 
    3. No corner of earth where God’s grace cannot be found.  

1 Peter 3:22 – in heaven at the right hand of God, the High Priest interceding for us. Romans 8:34 – confidence in Christ.  

Closing story – iron merry-go-round in the playground – dated equipment. Worn trench due to years of play. “Dad, push us. Faster.” Can I even stop this? Fear, now, “Dad, slow this down.” Move toward the center, there was more balance and less fear. Move to the center of your faith and turn to bring someone to the center with you. Bless others. Invite them into the center.  

Digging Questions: 

  1. What incredible challenge did Peter give his readers? (1 Peter 3:8-9) – harmony, sympathy, love, compassion, humility, blessing over retaliation. Why is this behavior so difficult? 
  2. Why did Peter instruct his readers to live at peace with everyone? (1 Peter 3:9) – you were called to inherit a blessing.  
  3. What must a person do who wants to love life? (1 Peter 3:10-11) – keep your tongue from evil and lips from deceit, turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.  
  4. Who does God listen to? (1 Peter 3:12) – the righteous. He is against those who do evil. 
  5. How did Peter use a rhetorical question to explain his point? (1 Peter 3:13) – Who will harm you when you do good? Is that true today?  
  6. What did Peter write about suffering for what is right? (1 Peter 3:14) – you are blessed when you suffer for doing right. 
  7. What does it mean, in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord? (1 Peter 3:15) – Holiness, communion, transformational [remember the heart is foolish (Proverbs 28:26), unreliable (facts over feelings), corrupt (Jeremiah 17:9)]  
  8. What did Peter instruct his readers to be prepared for? (1 Peter 3:15) – be prepared to give an account for the hope that is in you. 
  9. How were these readers to give the reason for their hope in Christ? (1 Peter 3:15) – Do this with gentleness and respect. 
  10. Why are believers to keep a clear conscience? (1 Peter 3:16) – Those who speak evil of you will be put to shame. 
  11. When is it all right to suffer, and when is it a waste? (1 Peter 3:17) – when you are in God’s will, it is right to suffer. It out of God’s will, that suffering is a waste of time. 
  12. What did Peter say about Christ’s death? (1 Peter 3:18) – He died for sin, once for all, bringing people to God. 
  13. Through whom and to whom did Christ preach? (1 Peter 3:19-20) – In the Spirit he went to preach to the spirits in prison, those who were disobedient in the days of Noah. 
  14. What do the flood waters from which Noah and his family were saved say to us? (1 Peter 3:21) – The waters destroyed the world but save the one family. 
  15. How are we saved? (1 Peter 3:21) – Is it through baptism? How do you explain this verse?  
  16. Where did Christ go after His resurrection? (1 Peter 3:22) – Heaven, at the right hand of the Father.  

Reflection Questions: 

  1. When is it hard for Christians to live in harmony with each other? Why? 
  2. When are you tempted to return evil with evil and insult with insult? Why is that our knee-jerk reaction?  
  3. Why do our words get us into so much trouble?  
  4. What concrete actions can we use to promote harmony?  
  5. How could suffering for doing right be a blessing?  
  6. How should we or can we set Christ apart as Lord in our hearts?  
  7. How prepared are you to explain your hope in Christ?  
  8. What can you do to be better prepared for discussions about Christ with non-Christian friends?  
  9. Why is it better to suffer for doing good rather than evil?  
  10. How has Christ’s death and resurrection changed your life?  
  11. How does Christ’s place of authority at God’s right hand make you feel about your relationship with Him?  

Application Questions: 

  1. What can you do over the next few days to promote harmony between you and the believers you know?  
  2. What response could you use when you are mistreated or insulted?  
  3. What step can you take this week to become more prepared to answer questions about your hope and faith in Christ? 
Spread the Community, Faith, Love