#1: Born Again to a Living Hope
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1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. 8 Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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TAKE IT IN
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What is the result of God’s mercy according to v.3-4?
What is the gold refining process like, and how is it comparable to our understanding of faith and trials?
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DIG IT
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What does being “born again” mean to you?
How does one know if he or she is indeed born again?
What is the ultimate purpose of trials that grieve us? Why do Christians rejoice even in the midst of trials?
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LIVE IT
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Do you think you are truly born again? Why or why not?
Share about a time that you felt like you were going through a trial.
#2: Be Holy for I Am Holy
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1 Peter 1:13-21 ESV
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
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TAKE IT IN
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What do you think “set your hope fully on grace” means?
What are some common associations or perceptions that come to mind when you hear the term 'holy'?
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DIG IT
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Look up the definition of holiness in the dictionary. Then have your leader explain the biblical meaning of holiness. How do they compare?
How can we be holy as mere human beings? Is God commanding us to make the impossible possible?
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[Go Deep] What does Peter mean when he says “throughout the time of your exile”? Were early Christians in some sort of exile?
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LIVE IT
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What is one step that you can take to be holy like Jesus?
What does "do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance" look like for you? How do you plan on fighting this battle?
#3: Living Stones
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1 Peter 2:4-10 ESV
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:
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“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
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TAKE IT IN
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How is this passage describing Jesus Christ? Why?
What are Christians whom Peter is writing to being built up as? What does that mean?
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DIG IT
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How can a cornerstone be a stumbling rock for some people?
What are some responsibilities of believers who are built up as the temple of God? Do you think you are fulfilling these responsibilities in your daily life?
What is the new identity given to those who believe according to v.9-10? How do these identities form you as an individual?
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LIVE IT
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Share your concept of worship.
Do you see yourself as a building block for the temple of God? How can this club be a place of worship founded on Jesus Christ?
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#4: Encouraged in Suffering
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1 Peter 4:12-19 ESV
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[a (Links to an external site.)] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[b (Links to an external site.)]
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
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TAKE IT IN
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Why does Peter say “Do not be surprised as though something strange is happening to you” in v.12? (Ref. John 15:18-19)
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Why do you think Peter mentions the persecution of a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler while he is talking about Christian suffering?
DIG IT
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What do you think "share Christ’s sufferings" means?
What does Peter encourage those who are suffering for faith to do?
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LIVE IT
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Have you ever felt uncomfortable or judged for your faith at school? How would you encourage brothers and sisters in Christ going through a similar situation?
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How would you respond to someone criticizing or condemning you for your faith?
#5: Shepherd the Flock
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1 Peter 5:1-5 ESV
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
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