Ready Faith

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Ready Faith

• August 3

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Think About It

• When have you chosen to endure difficulty for a
  future benefit?
• Most of these difficulties we would not
  classify as suffering
• Today we look at how to handle suffering
• Suffering brings opportunities to point to Jesus

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Listen for what not to fear.

• 1 Peter 313-14 (NIV) 13 Who is going to harm
  you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if
  you should suffer for what is right, you are
  blessed. "Do not fear what they fear do not be
  frightened."

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No Harm, No Fear

• What did Peter write about suffering for what is
  right?
• How would you answer Peters question in verse
  13, Who will want to harm you if you are eager
  to do good?
• What assurances did Peter give to those who are
  zealous for that which is good?

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No Harm, No Fear

• So, how could suffering for doing right be a
  blessing?
• Peter said do not fear what they fear. What do
  you suppose they fear?
• Why is it more important to do right than to fear
  these things?
• When do sufferings and difficulties give us the
  opportunity to share our faith?

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Listen for the result of a clear conscience.

• 1 Peter 315-16 (NIV) 15 But in your hearts set
  apart 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, 16 keeping a clear
  conscience, so that those who speak maliciously
  against your good behavior in Christ may be
  ashamed of their slander.

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Choice and Opportunity

• What is the meaning of set apart Christ as
  Lord?
• In what manner were these readers to give the
  reason for their hope in Christ?
• What does it look like to share the gospel with
  gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience?

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Choice and Opportunity

• Why do you think Peter thought it was important
  to be ready to be able to respond to inquirers
  about hope?
• What relevance does this have for contemporary
  believers?
• Why are believers to keep a clear conscience?

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Listen for a result of suffering.

• 1 Peter 41-2 (NLT) 1 So then, since Christ
  suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves
  with the same attitude he had, and be ready to
  suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically
  for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You
  wont spend the rest of your lives chasing your
  own desires, but you will be anxious to do the
  will of God.

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Right Thinking, Right Purpose

• What did Peter say about the person who has
  suffered?
• What benefit can there be in suffering?
• How do we equip ourselves now to suffer well as
  Jesus did?

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Right Thinking, Right Purpose

• In what sense do you think he who suffered in
  his body is done with sin? In what different
  ways could we interpret this verse?
• Consider that it was the believer done with sin
  because Christ finished taking care of it. What
  is the result, according to this passage?
• What would you suggest to a believer who says the
  worlds attraction is just too strong?

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Application

• Open yourself to God
• If you are suffering right now, ask yourself, Is
  my response to this situation glorifying Christ?
• Talk to the Lord, ask Him to show you how best to
  respond to your situation

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Application

• Study Jesus response
• Make notes about how Jesus responded to suffering
• Study latter chapters of the Gospels where Jesus
  was betrayed, tried, crucified
• Consider how (with Gods help) you could imitate
  Him

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Application

• Point others to Jesus
• Start praying today for God to use you to point
  others to Jesus as you suffer or as you help
  others cope with suffering
• Ask Him to make you sensitive to these
  opportunities

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Ready Faith

• August 3