1 PETER

(1 Peter 4:12-19)

READ: 1 Peter 4:12-19

1. Have you ever personally experienced or heard about someone else suffering for their faith? What happened?

2. In this passage, Peter returns again to the theme of suffering as a Christian. In vv.12-13, what sort of attitude does Peter encourage his readers to have about their suffering? 

3. It may sound odd to encourage someone to rejoice in the midst of suffering but, in v.13, what reason does Peter give for the joy we can have in suffering now?

4. When you meditate on the idea of partaking of or being a sharer in Christ’s sufferings, what perspective does it give you on whatever persecution you may experience?

5. In some ways, Peter is challenging believers to persevere for our faith, even in the midst of suffering. While most of us do not face threats of death for our faith, we still may suffer in some ways for our faith. What does it look like for you to persevere as a Christian in your everyday life?

6. In v.19, Peter indicates that believers should demonstrate their trust in God by continuing to do good in the midst of difficulty.  What about God allows us to have confidence that we can trust Him even in the midst of our suffering?  

7. How can this group pray for you?