Unity

• Teaching Text

  1 Peter 3:8-12

  Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

  For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Read 1 Peter 3:13-18, four times this next week.
Use the ‘O.I.A.’ Study method to look at 1 Peter 3:13-18

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Personal Reflection Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced difficulties or conflicts with others. How did you respond, and how did it impact your relationships? In light of 1 Peter 3:8-12, what could you have done differently?

2. Consider the ‘swarm of BES’ mentioned in verse 8 (harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind-hearted, and humble in spirit). Which of these qualities do you find most challenging to extend to others? Why? How can you grow in that particular area?

3. The passage talks about blessing others, even in the face of mistreatment. Think of an experience where you chose to respond with kindness and blessing when faced with mistreatment or criticism. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from that experience?

Small Group Discussion Questions:

1. As a group, discuss practical ways in which we can actively pursue peace and unity within our church or community. How can we encourage one another to live in harmony, especially during times of disagreement or conflict?

2. How does the concept of blessing others, as mentioned in verse 9, challenge our natural human instincts or societal norms? Have a few people share their responses to questions #3 from the personal reflection section. Ask: How can we support and hold one another accountable to respond to insults with blessing?

Closing prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of the importance of harmony, compassion, and blessing others. Give me the wisdom to navigate conflict with love and humility. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Take some time to sit silent before God. What action is he asking you to take from today’s teaching. Commit to one next step that you can take this week to become more like Christ, to follow his example, and reflect our Living Hope to the world around you.