WARM UP

1. Have you ever had an experience you were excited about, only to have it ruined by a bad view? For example, you might have been stuck behind someone taller than you at a concert or had clouds obstructing your view during a fireworks display.

This is a fun question that helps the group warm up and start thinking about the impact of external circumstances on personal experiences, setting the stage for deeper discussion about how external struggles (like suffering) can affect our walk with God.
Additional Questions: How did you react in that specific moment?

Can you think of a time when something unexpected in life blocked your “view” of God’s goodness?

2. What experience of suffering have you faced that you are now grateful for how it helped you grow, although you wouldn’t want to endure it again?

This question can be taken a couple of different ways. It can help your group become more vulnerable and reflect on how God uses hardship to shape us. It encourages participants to reflect on their personal growth, even in difficult times, but it could also be answered more from a surface perspective like failing a math test and then realizing the importance of studying in high school.

3. What is one thing you were encouraged by and one thing you were challenged by from this weekend’s message?
Other ways of asking this question: Was there something in the message that felt like a new insight for you?
Was there an aspect of the message that felt convicting or difficult to understand? Why?

KNOW IT

1. Read 1 Peter 4:1-11. How do you think suffering can help us become more like Jesus? Do you see suffering as a snare or a springboard? In other words, is it a hindrance to your faith or a tool that brings you closer to God?

Help the group reflect on how suffering is part of God’s refining process that molds us into Christ’s likeness. Also be sensitive to every story you may or may not know that is in your group. Make sure to allow individuals to share and encourage them to focus on how it has drawn them closer to God not just sharing about suffering as story swapping.
Additional Question: How has this weekend’s sermon challenged your view of suffering?

2. Paul and Peter have strong words throughout the New Testament about being sober-minded. Read 1 Peter 1:13-14, Ephesians 5:16-19, and 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8. Why do you think they put so much emphasis on this?

This could be a great question to split into smaller groups and have them each take a passage and then come back together as a larger group to discuss what they found and what God may be emphasizing.

SHARE IT

1. We know that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). It’s powerful when someone forgives us just because they love us. Have you had an experience like that? How did it impact you?

Chris shared several examples in his sermon about how love covers offenses when it comes from someone we love, like a baby, or spouse. Maybe create several other examples as a group from personal experiences like that.
This could be a great question to remind one another of how Christ loves us, and if you have anyone in your group who doesn’t know Christ as Lord you could share how God’s love and sacrifice opens forgiveness to each of us.

2. What areas of your life have drastically changed since being led by the Holy Spirit and God’s transformative work in you? If you can’t think of any, does anything come to mind now that needs to change?

The assumption here is that if we have been following Jesus then the Holy Spirit does transform us, if we aren’t being transformed then maybe we aren’t following Him. This can come across a little harsh and so if there is someone who feels stuck or uncertain about ways they have changed then use this time to encourage them to respond to what God may be asking them to follow Him in.
If there are areas of drastic change that are shared celebrate the work of God that has happened.

LIVE IT

1. Jesus calls us to suffer joyfully, love radically, and obey Him completely. Which of these do you struggle with most, and how can you grow in that area?

Suffer Joyfully: What does that mean and what are some ways we could do this? Example: Getting a cancer diagnoses, and during treatments remaining encouraging and supportive to the medical staff in such a way that they ask about the joy you have.
Love Radically: How can we love radically and what does that mean? Example: Invite someone of an entirely different world view over for dinner and serve them like a guest of honor.
Obey Him completely: Example: Shutting down gossip at the water cooler while at work and instead building others up like Christ calls us to.

2. Choose a verse from 1 Peter 4:1-11 that you need most this week and find a way to remember it (write it on a sticky note, write it on your hand, set a reminder on your phone, text it to a friend, etc.). Share the verse you chose with the group and how you will keep it at the front of your mind this week.

This is a great practical question that I would make sure to go through with my group. How can we get God’s Word into our lives. Allow the group to share their different ideas on how they will keep it in front of themselves.
Follow Up Question: Why was that the verse that you chose?