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Leader Guide for Lesson 11

  1. Why does the way of Christ involve suffering (4:13)?

    2. Because Christ suffered and because the way of God is in conflict with the way of the world.

  2. How have you been insulted because you wear the name of Christ (4:14)?

    3. People may share various experiences. It could be that they have not suffered as Christians. Discuss why this might be true.

  3. How easy is it for you to rejoice and be thankful when you suffer for your faith (4:13-14)?

    4. It can be difficult, although it might happen after the fact.

  4. Peter says that Christians should not go looking for trouble, nor should they consider suffering for doing wrong to be a blessing (4:15). What kind of suffering might a Christian bring upon himself or herself that does not honor Christ?

    5. Suffering that comes from being obnoxious or that comes as a result of sin.

  5. The term "Christian" is used only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:25 and 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16). It could well be that its earliest use in the first century was as a putdown by unbelievers. In the New Testament, followers of Jesus are more commonly called brothers (the word is used 343 times in the New Testament), disciples (262 times), and saints (233 times, although not all occurrences of these words refer to followers of Jesus). What might we have lost by describing followers of Jesus with a word that the New Testament does not emphasize, and by using much less frequently the terms that the New Testament does use?

    6. We might have emphasized the label over the reality. The other words say a great deal about relationships with Christ and one another.

  6. Why is it hard for the righteous to be saved (4:18)?

    7. Because our sins are so great and our atonement so costly.

  7. Peter has said that God judges justly (2:23) and is the faithful Creator (4:19). How does it help you to know that God is reliable and will always do the right thing? What causes us to doubt this at times?

We can always count on God. We doubt him when we focus on what we see around us instead of on the unseen God.

 

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