Hope - Week 1: A Living Hope
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
For the week of September 1st
Connecting (Aim for 15 minutes)
• Breaking the ice/Think Time
• Think of time when your balloon of hope was popped? How did it make you feel?
Quick Review… Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon, what caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Understanding the Truth (Aim for 30-40 minutes)
Read 1 Peter 1:1-5
How does Peter introduce himself in vs. 1?
Peter addresses his audience as the elect exiles, who is he writing to and why does he call them exiles?
In v. 2, Peter list the work of each person of the Trinity in salvation, what are they?
According to v. 3, what reason do we have for giving praise to God the Father?
What does it mean to be born again v. 3b? Read John 3:5-8 and discuss with your group.
What reason does Peter give for our “living hope” in v. 3c?
Why do you believe the resurrection of Jesus is so essential to our hope? Disuss as a group.
What does Peter’s description of our inheritance in v. 4 communitcate to you and how does this corrolate with the living hope?
In v. 5, God is the one who guards our inheritance through his power. What type of security or assurance does this communicate to you about our inheritance? How does this security differ from the even the best securities this world has to offer?
What is the means for our salvation in v. 5?
Summarize vs. 1-5 together as a group. What seems to be Peter’s main point in vv. 1-5?
Seeing Our Savior
Read Titus 2:11-14; 2 Tim. 2:6; John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:5
Our hope in Christ began at calvary where by God’s grace he gave himself as a ransom on our behalf, so that, those who would trust in him would be saved. However, our hope as believers is that just as Jesus came to reveal the grace of God he will also return in glory in order bring about our complete redemption. Jesus is therefore our Livig Hope!!!
Living the Truth (Aim for 20 minutes)
What hopes do you find yourself striving for in this life? And how does that impact your prioties and or ways of living? Where does our “living hope” land within your priorities? Discuss with your group
Peter had experienced a moment in which all his hopes had evaporated, the moment when Jesus was crucified on the cross. At that moment his hopes were shattered by the betrayal and execution of Christ. Describe a time in your life when your hopes were shattered just like Peters. What affect did that have on you? Have you recovered?
Peter’s hopes were shattered when Jesus died, however, they also resurrected when Jesus presented himself to Peter as the resurrected Christ causing Peter to now describe his hope as living. Have you placed your trust in Christ for your salvation and live with the assurance this living hope?
God not only hears, but loves to answer prayers that are “according to His will.” (1 John 5:14-15). We can pray confidently when we pray obediently to this truth. You have just spent time discovering God’s will for you. Now, ask God for what you need to fulfill His will in your life, your friends & family, neighbors, church & community. Don’t be afraid to ask forgiveness where you have blown it, strength where you are weak, courage where you are afraid.
Prayer Requests (Aim for minimum of 10 minutes)
Pray that God reveals to you who He truly is