1. We Have a Living Hope - 1 Peter 1:1-5

11/16/25

Icebreaker Question: When you think about your identity, what are the first three words or phrases that come to mind? How many of those relate to your relationship with Christ?

Key Takeaways:

• Our Identity is In Christ - We are God's elect, exiles in this world, and sanctified (made holy) by God
• Our Hope is Living - Based on God's mercy and the resurrection of Jesus, not our efforts
• Our Inheritance is Secure - It can never perish, spoil, or fade
• Our Protection is Constant - We are shielded by God's power through our faith

Discussion Questions:

1.  Read 1 Peter 1:1-2.  Peter uses three descriptions for believers: God's elect, exiles, and sanctified.  Which of these resonates most with you right now?  Why?

2. The sermon mentioned that "as exiles we're like foreigners who are not comfortable or familiar with the culture we live amongst."  In what specific ways do you experience this tension between your faith and the surrounding culture?

3.  Peter says we've been ‘sanctified’ (made holy) by God.  How does understanding yourself as ‘holy’ and ‘set apart’ change the way you view your daily life and decisions?

4.  Read 1 Peter 1:3-5.  What does it mean that our hope is "living" rather than just wishful thinking?  

     a)  How have you experienced this living hope during difficult times?

5.  Read James 1:2-12. God doesn't spare us from suffering, He uses it to refine and strengthen our faith.  Share a time when suffering actually strengthened your faith rather than weakened it.  What made the difference? 

     a)  James tells us to "consider it pure joy" when facing trials.  How can we develop this perspective when our natural response is frustration or despair?

6.  Peter was writing to believers facing persecution under Nero.  How does our cultural context today compare?  In what ways are Christians increasingly experiencing opposition or marginalization?

     a)  How does the teaching of the first 5 verses of 1 Peter help us in this culture?

7.  A.W. Tozer said, "The presence of God is the central fact of Christianity.  God is waiting for His redeemed children to press into a conscious awareness of His Presence."  What does this mean?  What would it look like for the average person?

     a)  What practical steps can you take this week to become more aware of God's presence in your daily life?

Personal Reflection:

• In what area of your life are you most tempted to find your identity in something other than Christ?
• What current challenge or hardship is God inviting you to view through the lens of "living hope"?
• How can you remind yourself this week that your citizenship is in Heaven, not here?

Action Steps:

• Memorize 1 Peter 1:3-5 - Write it on a card and review it daily
• Identity Check - Each morning this week, remind yourself: "I am chosen by God, an exile here, and made holy by Him"
• Reframe Suffering - When facing a difficulty this week, pause and ask: "How might God be using this to strengthen my faith or show His power?"
• Eternal Perspective - Identify one area where you're living too much for "now" and take one step toward living for eternity
• Presence Practice - Set three daily reminders on your phone to pause and acknowledge God's presence with you

Prayer:

• Thank God for choosing us and giving us a living hope through Jesus
• Pray for those in the group facing specific trials or suffering
• Ask God to help us live as exiles in this world

2. Suffering Isn't All It's Made Out To Be! - 1 Peter 1:6-12

11/23/25

Icebreaker Question: What's one challenge or difficulty you're facing right now that you're comfortable sharing with the group?

Key Takeaways:

Peter reminds us that as followers of Jesus we can value and even rejoice in suffering because:

• It’s temporary and necessary, and refines us, bringing both joy and grief
• Jesus is present in our suffering
• Suffering highlights the privilege of our salvation

Discussion Questions:

1.  "Suffering isn't all it's made out to be—it's not all bad."  How does this statement challenge or encourage you? 

     a) What's your initial reaction to viewing suffering as having purpose?

2.  Read 1 Peter 1:6.  Peter says suffering is temporary.  How does viewing your current struggles as only ‘for a little while’ compared to eternity change your perspective? 

     a)  What makes this difficult to believe in the moment?

3.  Read Lamentations 3:37-38, Isaiah 48:10, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and Hebrews 12:5-11.  The Bible teaches that suffering is necessary—not just permitted by God, but ordained by Him.  How do you wrestle with this truth? 

     a)  What questions or concerns does this raise for you?

4.  Read 1 Peter 1:7.  Like gold being refined by fire, what ‘impurities’ might God be burning away in your life through current or past trials?

5.  Read 1 Peter 1:8.  ‘Joy isn't the absence of suffering.  Joy is knowing Jesus is present and actively at work in our suffering.’  Can you share a time when you experienced unexplainable peace or joy in the middle of hardship? 

     a)  What made that possible?

6.  Peter mentions how his readers love Jesus even though they haven't seen Him.  How have you experienced the reality of Jesus' presence without physically seeing Him?

7.  Read 1 Peter 1:10-12.  Our salvation—the experience of God living with us by His Spirit—is what prophets longed for and angels marvel at.  Do you take the privilege of your salvation for granted?  Why? 

     a)  How can we cultivate greater appreciation for God's presence in our daily lives?

8.  Read Psalm 23:4.  David didn't expect God to take him out of the valley, but trusted God's presence in the valley.  How does this shift our expectations about how God answers our prayers during suffering?

Key Takeaways—which one resonate with you most right now?  Why?

• Let suffering refine you, not define you — Trust God’s shaping work, your suffering is meaningful.
• Cultivate a deeper love for Jesus — Meditate on His beauty, His gospel, His faithfulness.
• Choose joy by focusing on eternal things — Joy grows when Jesus is central, not circumstances.
• Treasure the privilege of your salvation — You have what the prophets predicted, what apostles preached, and what angels marvel at.

Prayer:

• For those currently suffering – that they would experience Jesus' presence and refining work
• For deeper love for Jesus and a joy that doesn't depend on circumstances
• For eyes to see suffering as an opportunity for spiritual growth
• For those who are struggling to trust God's purposes in their pain

Prayer Prompts:

• "God, help me trust You when I don't understand..."
• "Jesus, open my eyes to see Your presence in..."
• "Holy Spirit, refine in me..."

3. Believe in the Power of Jesus, Not in the Strength of Your

Circumstances - 1 Peter 1:13-21

11/30/25

Icebreaker Question:  When facing a difficult situation, what's your natural first response—to problem-solve, to vent emotions, to withdraw, or something else?

Main Idea:  We can live hopeful, holy lives because our hope is in Jesus, who has already given everything for us and is coming back for us!

Key Takeaways:

• Believe in the Power of Jesus, Not the Strength of Your Circumstances (v13)
• Choose to Live Jesus' Way, Not Your Old Way (v14-16)
• Live in Reverence, Not Indifference (v17-21)

Discussion Questions:

1.  Have someone read 1 Peter 1:13-21 aloud.  Consider reading it twice from different translations.  In verse 13 Peter uses strong, deliberate language like ‘gird up’ and ‘with minds alert and fully sober.’  Why do you think he emphasizes intentionality rather than feelings when it comes to hope?

2.  What does it mean to ‘set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed’?  How is this different from hoping in our circumstances to change? 

3.  In verse 16, Peter quotes Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2 and 20:7: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’  How does this connect to our identity as children of God rather than being about religious performance?  

4.  What specific situation are you facing where you need to believe in Jesus' power more than your circumstances?  How might you be believing more in the strength of your circumstances than in the power of Jesus? 

     a)  What would it look like to shift that perspective? 

5.  ‘Suffering naturally makes us focus on ourselves’.  How have you experienced this? 

     a)  How might Philippians 3:7-11 change our perspective?  What practices help you refocus on God during difficult times?

6.  In verse 14 Peter talks about not conforming to ‘the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.’  What are some ‘old ways’ you're tempted to fall back into when life gets hard (e.g.: escape through entertainment, control, worry, anger, etc.)? 

     a)  What ‘old way’ of responding are you most tempted to fall back into right now?

7.  The Somali Christian who said, ‘I am grateful for my time in prison’ is a powerful example.  What strikes you most about his response?  

     a)  What would it take for us to respond to hardship with that kind of perspective?

8.  Verse 18-19 reminds us that we were redeemed ‘not with perishable things such as silver or gold...but with the precious blood of Christ.’  How does remembering the cost of our salvation change how we live day-to-day?

9.  Read 1 Peter 1:17 and Hebrews 11:8-16.  Peter calls us ‘foreigners’ and ‘exiles’ in this world.  How should this identity shape our priorities, decisions, and responses to suffering?

10.  ‘God has significant, specific expectations for your life.’  How does this truth motivate you?  

     a)  How might it challenge the way you're currently living?

Practical Application

• Daily Deliberate Hope — Each morning, before checking your phone or starting your day, spend 5 minutes deliberately setting your hope on Jesus. Pray: "Jesus, I choose to believe in Your power today, not in the strength of my circumstances.”
• Identity Reminder — When you face a difficult moment this week, pause and remind yourself: "I am a child of God. I am holy in Christ. How would someone with my true identity respond to this?" Then choose to live according to that identity.
• Gratitude for Salvation — Write out a prayer or journal entry thanking God specifically for what He's saved you from—both eternally (Hell) and presently (the empty way of life). Keep it somewhere visible this week.
• Foreigner Mindset — Identify one area where you're too invested in the temporary things of this world. What would it look like to hold that more loosely, remembering you're just passing through?

Prayer

• Pray for specific situations group members are facing
• Ask God to help each person believe in His power more than their circumstances
• Thank God for the incredible cost of our salvation
• Pray for grace to live as holy foreigners in this world

4. God's Call to Love Other Believers  - 1 Peter 1:13-21

12/07/25

Icebreaker Question: What's a song that got stuck in your head this week?  (Bonus points if it's embarrassing like the pastor's 'High School Musical' confession!)

Main Idea: We're all in this together. When one part suffers, every part suffers with it. But when we respond to God's love and extend it to others, we become the proof of His presence and faithfulness in their suffering.

Key Takeaways:

• Phileo love is head love (dutiful, sincere, obedient) and Agape love is heart love (deep, unconditional, self-sacrificing)
• We can't love like Jesus in our own strength, but Christ in us can
• God's ‘rhema’ word prompts us in real-time to be His love to others
• Our suffering is temporary; God's Word and work in us is eternal
• Healing from church hurt requires honesty, re-engagement, humility, and trust

Discussion Questions:

1.  Read 1 Peter 1:22-25; Luke 6:32-36.  What's the difference between ‘phileo' (head) love and ‘agape' (heart) love?  

     a)  Read John 21:15-17.  How did Peter demonstrate this difference when Jesus restored him by the lake?

2.  Can you identify areas in your relationships with other believers where you've been ‘dutiful’ rather than deeply loving?  What does that look like practically?

3.  Kim mentioned that ‘duty is willing to love others in the comfort of the courtyard, but not willing to go to the Cross with them.’  What does this statement mean to you? 

     a)  Share a time when you realized you needed God's help to truly love someone.  What brought you to that realization?

4.  Read 1 Peter 1:23.  What does it mean that we've been born again through ‘imperishable seed’?  

     a)  How does this change our capacity to love?

5.  We’re to not just forgive (head) but to bless (heart) those who hurt us.  Why is there a difference between these two responses?  

     a)  Which is harder for you?  Why?

6.  Where is God currently asking you to step out of the boat and love in a way that stretches you?  

     a)  What's your "I can't" excuse?

7.  Read Isaiah 40:29-31.  How does God's promise to strengthen the weary connect to our ability to love others during suffering?

     a)  Peter reminds us that ‘all people are like grass...but the word of the Lord endures forever.’  How does this eternal perspective help us love others through temporary suffering?

8.  If you’ve experienced hurt from other Christians or the church, which of the following steps to healing feels most difficult for you?  a) Being honest about the hurt, b) Intentionally re-engaging, c) Being open to seeing your own sin, d) Trusting Christ in you to forgive.

Practical Applications:

• Option 1: Respond to the Rhema—ask God: "Who needs to experience Your love through me today?” And if/when God brings someone to mind, act on it within 24 hours (text, call, card, coffee, practical help)
• Option 2: Move from "I Can't" to "He Can”—Identify one person you're struggling to love deeply, write down your "I can't" excuse and pray daily: "God, I can't, but You can. Fill me with Your Spirit to love [name]”, then take one practical step toward them this week
• Option 3: Healing Journey—If you've been hurt by the church, take one of the four healing steps this week
• Option 4: Be a Thermostat—Identify someone in your life who is suffering and reach out to them this week with specific encouragement. Remind them of God's faithfulness and that "they can't, but He can, and He will”.

Prayer:

• For those who are suffering—that they would put their hope in the Lord and let others in
• For healing from church hurt—freedom from bitterness, ability to forgive and re-engage
• For sensitivity to the Holy Spirit—ears to hear God's ‘rhema' word and courage to obey
• For our church community—that we would love one another deeply, from the heart

5. Be a Baby!  - 1 Peter 2:1-3

12/28/25

Icebreaker Question:  Share a time when you tried really hard to change a behavior or habit on your own.  What was the result?  What did you learn from that experience?

Main Idea: Spiritual growth comes from God, not from our own effort to change behaviors.

Key Takeaways:

• The heart is the real issue – God is concerned with the position of our hearts toward or away from Christ, not just our external actions.
• Craving God brings transformation – Like a newborn craves milk, we must crave time with God for spiritual maturity.
• Union with Christ changes us – When we spend time with God, He transforms our hearts naturally.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Read 1 Peter 2:1-3.  Pregnancy was used as an illustration of how growth happens without conscious effort.   How does this analogy help you understand spiritual growth? 

     a)  What are the limits of this analogy?

2.  “The problem isn't the sins; rather, the problem is about our heart's position toward or away from Christ."  What's the difference between these two perspectives?  a)  How does this change your approach to dealing with sin?

3.  Read 1 Peter 2:2.  The word ‘spiritual’ is translated from the Greek word ‘logikos’ which reveals we're called to crave the pure essence and nature of Christ, not just spiritual information.  How does understanding this change our perspective on spiritual growth?  

     a)  If someone observed your daily rhythms and priorities, would they conclude that you crave God like a newborn craves milk, or that you're trying to survive on your own strength?

4.  To mature spiritually and overcome sin, we must crave God and spend time with Him.  What does ‘craving God’ look like practically in your life right now? 

     a)   What would it look like if you craved Him more intensely?

5.  Read 1 Samuel 16:7.  If God were to describe the current state of your heart, what do you think He would say? 

     a)  What would you want Him to say?

6.  Read Colossians 2:6-7.  This year's Word from God, and our focus as a church is to: walk in him, rooted and built up in him. What does it mean to "walk in Him" versus just walking "with Him" or "for Him”?

7.  Read Psalm 42:1-2 and Philippians 3:7-11.  You cannot expect spiritual vitality without regularly feasting on God's presence.  This means creating rhythms and removing obstacles.  What needs to change in your life to make room for more of God?  What habits steal your attention from Him?

Practical Applications:

• Start New Initiatives: Post Scripture cards around your home (on mirrors, doors, nightstands, etc.) / Institute a 24-hour Sabbath (phones away, screens off, family time, prayer) / Start a Bible study with a friend (even over the phone) / Use drive time as prayer time (no music, podcasts, or radio) / Join or commit more fully to a life group
• Ending Old Habits: Uninstall time-consuming apps or use blocking apps / Reduce commitments that make you "too busy" for God / Replace scrolling time with Bible reading / Create moments of intentional silence to listen to God.

Prayer:

• Thank God that He is the one who brings growth and transformation
• Ask for grace to crave Him like newborns crave milk
• Pray for heart transformation, not just behavior modification
• Commit your action steps to Him
• Ask for the Holy Spirit's power to walk in dependence on Christ

6. Grounded in Jesus to Glorify Jesus  - 1 Peter 2:4-10

01/04/26

Icebreaker Question: Share one way you've seen God at work in your life or at Eastpark Church recently.  What are you grateful for as we begin this new year?

Main Idea: We’re to be grounded in Jesus, so we can glorify Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

• Our lives are to be so defined and shaped by Jesus that our lives show everyone who Jesus really is.
• It’s all about Jesus
• We’re being built together in Jesus
• Our identity is defined by Jesus
• We exist to proclaim Jesus

Discussion Questions:

1.  Read 1 Peter 2:4-7.  Peter uses the metaphor of Jesus as a ‘cornerstone’ and believers as ‘living stones’.  What does this imagery communicate about our relationship with Jesus and with each other?

2.  Peter says we are being "built together" as living stones.  How does this challenge our culture's emphasis on individualism?

     a)  What does genuine Christian community look like, practically?

3.  Read Ephesians 2:19-22.  How does this passage complement what Peter is teaching? 

     a)  What additional insights does it give about being built together as God's dwelling place?

4.  Read 1 Peter 2:8.  Peter says some people stumble over Jesus because they ‘disobey the message’.  What does it mean to disobey the gospel message?

5.  Read 1 Peter 2:9-10.  Of the seven aspects of our identity in Christ listed in these verses (chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God's special possession, called from darkness to light, God's people, recipients of mercy), which is hardest for you to believe about yourself? 

     a)  Which one do you need to embrace more fully?  

6.  Read Colossians 2:6-7.  What practical steps help you stay rooted in Jesus daily?  What spiritual practices and habits could you prioritize and build into your life to help you be grounded in Jesus?

7.  “Is my life grounded in Jesus?” / “Does my life glorify Jesus?”  Take time to honestly reflect on these questions.  Which one is more challenging for you right now, and why?

Practical Applications:

• Option 1: Grounding Practice — Commit to spending 15-20 minutes daily with Jesus (reading Scripture, prayer, worship) / Journal about what you're learning and how God is speaking to you / Share with one person from your group how it's going
• Option 2: Identity Reflection — Write out the seven identity truths from verses 9-10 on note cards / Place them where you'll see them daily (mirror, car dashboard, phone wallpaper) / Each day, pray one of these truths over yourself and thank God for it
• Option 3: Proclamation Project — Identify one person in your life who needs to see/hear about Jesus / Pray for them daily this week / Look for one opportunity to share Jesus through your words or actions
• Option 4: Community Commitment — If you're not in a Life Group, commit to joining one / If you are in a Life Group, invite someone new to join / Reach out to 2-3 people from your church family this week just to encourage them

Prayer:

• Thank God for choosing us and giving us a new identity in Christ
• Ask God to help us be more grounded in Jesus daily
• Pray for opportunities to glorify Jesus with our words and lives
• Ask God to fill us and transform us by His Spirit in us
• Pray for the specific needs and commitments shared in your group

7. Loving Jesus, Hating Sin, Transforming Lives  - 1 Peter 2:11-12

01/11/26

Icebreaker Question: Share about something you used to love but no longer appeals to you because something better came along. What made the new thing so much better?

Main Idea: When our desire for Jesus is stronger than our sinful desires, others will see Jesus in us and will desire Jesus too.

Highlights:

• We're called to live according to who we already are in Christ, not to earn our identity through good behavior.
• Sinful desires are anything that competes with our love for God and prevents us from declaring His praises.
• Our sinful choices don't just affect us—they rob unbelievers of the opportunity to see Jesus in us.
• The solution isn't willpower—it's developing such a love for Jesus that sin loses its appeal.
• A beautiful Jesus-focused life will silence critics and point people to Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

1.  Read 1 Peter 2:9-10.  What old labels or identities do you need to replace with your true identity in Christ?

2.  Read 1 Peter 2:11.  What sinful desire is currently competing with your love for Jesus? 

     a)  Why is this a temptation?  Why does it compete with your love for Jesus?  What need does it meet that you don’t think Jesus can meet?

3.  The real evidence of living by our sinful nature isn't necessarily obvious sin, but rather not being excited about God.  On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your current excitement and passion for God? 

     a)  What’s affecting that number?

4.  Read Matthew 5:27-30.  Jesus said if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out (metaphorically speaking).  What are some practical ways you might need to ‘remove the opportunity to sin’ in your life right now?

5.  Read Psalm 51:1-13.  When David confessed his sin he asked God to ‘restore the joy of your salvation.'  Why is losing joy in God often the root cause of sin rather than just the result of it? 

     a)  When did you last experience genuine joy in your relationship with Jesus?

6.  Read Revelation 2:1-7.  What practical steps will you take this week to ensure Jesus your ‘first love’?

7.  The Bible shares three specific ways we can focus our lives on Jesus: i) Spending time with God in His Word and prayer, ii) Using our spiritual gifts to serve God, iii) Living in community with other believers.  Which of these three is strongest in your life right now?  Which needs the most attention?

8.  Read 1 Peter 2:12 and Matthew 5:13-16.  Someone is watching your life today.  What are they learning about Jesus? 

     a)  Who in your life needs to see Jesus through your transformed living?

Key Takeaways:

• Commit to spending 15-30 minutes daily in God's Word and prayer. Set a specific time and plan and share your plan with one person in the group for accountability.
• Identify one specific area where you need to ‘remove the opportunity to sin’ and take concrete action this week (delete an app, set boundaries, change a routine). Tell someone in the group what you're doing.
• Identify your spiritual gift/s (if unsure, sign up for the next Network Course). Find a way to use that gift to serve at church or in your community this month.
• If you're carrying unconfessed sin or shame, confess it to God and receive His forgiveness. 

Prayer:

• Thank God for who we are in Christ (chosen, royal priesthood, holy, treasured).
• Ask God to restore or increase the joy of our salvation.
• Pray for strength to abstain from specific sinful desires.
• Ask God to make our lives so beautiful that others see Jesus in us.