Strong in the Face of Trial

for small group study the week of May 21 through 27, 2006

God's Word (New International Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society)
1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

What Does the Bible Say?

Where is our inheritance kept?

What is the purpose of trials?

What fills us with joy?

What are we to set our hope on?

Why does God say we should be holy?

What Are We Going to do About it?

Verse 3 says, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth.” Do you recognize that being born again is a gift that God gave you because of His mercy, and that you have not earned it? How does this change the way you live?

Verse 5 says that we are kept by God’s power, but verse 6 says we may have to suffer trials. What does it mean to be kept by God’s power? What should your attitude be toward trials?

Peter tells us to prepare our minds for action and to be self-controlled. What do we need to do this? What disrupts our minds and makes us unprepared for action?

Group Application:

This passage shows us that our faith in and love for Jesus fills us with joy. Share with the group your joy in the Lord. Encourage one another and pray for God’s joy for each other.

Prayer Focus:

Pray for each other to be strong in the face of trials.