Holiness hits Hostility

• Teaching Text

  1 Peter 3:13-18

  Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Read 1 Peter 3:19-22, four times this next week.
Use the ‘O.I.A.’ Study method to look at 1 Peter 3:19-22

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Personal Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever faced opposition or suffering for doing what is right? How did you respond, and what lessons did you learn from that experience?

2. What does it mean to be ‘zealous’ for what is good? How can you cultivate a zeal for goodness (righteousness) in your daily life?

3. How can you "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have"? How can you prepare yourself to share your faith confidently and respectfully? Commit to one small change you can make to better be prepared for sharing your faith.

Small Group Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think the concept of suffering for righteousness' sake relates to our present-day culture? What are some challenges Christians face in staying faithful to their beliefs amid opposition?

2. Verse 16 mentions having a clear conscience. Why is it important for believers to have a clear conscience, and how can we strive to maintain it in our interactions with others, especially those who oppose our faith?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for this reminder that suffering for doing good is part of ‘what we are called to’ as believers. Give us strength and boldness as we stand firm in our faith, even in the face of hostility. Holy Spirit, I pray for opportunities to share my faith this week, and when they appear, help me to do it with confidence and respect.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Take some time to sit silently before God, open your hands, when we open our hands to pray we are also opening our hands to serve. What action will you take this week because of what you heard from the Lord during the teaching of His Word?