1 Peter 4:12–19
Anthony Fusco
Part of Small Groups—Questions
August 18, 2024

OVERVIEW OF SCRIPTURE

Prior to group, get a better understanding of the overall biblical text with these resources.

Main Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12–19

Biblical Summary Click here for a brief summary on the Book of 1 Peter.

KNOW

Allow these questions to help you better understand what Scripture says contextually.

READ AND FOCUS ON 1 PETER 4:12
Peter begins a new section of his letter, summing up and adding to what he has previously written about the believer’s attitude towards suffering for following Jesus. For these first century Christians, that would include intense political and social persecution for their faith in Christ. Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, again urges them (and us) to expect fierce trials, instead of being surprised by them.

  • How do the following verses support Peter’s teaching: Psalm 34:19; John 16:33; Romans 5:3-5, Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:12; James 1:2-4?
  • How does Peter and the verses you just looked up shred the idea of false teachers misleading Christians to expect only good days if we make God-pleasing choices?

We often forget those in the Bible were far from perfect. God graciously works through ordinary people. Peter has come a long way since personally walking with Jesus.

  • Peter once told Jesus to avoid the suffering of the cross. Read Mark 8:31–38.
  • Consider and discuss this quote from Meyer and how it ties into Romans 5:3-5. “Once it seemed strange to the Apostle Peter that his Master should think of suffering. Now he thinks it strange that He could have imagined anything else.”

READ AND FOCUS ON 1 PETER 4:13
Peter gives a very strange instruction: rejoice. To say the least, the idea of choosing to rejoice in the face of hardship sounds strange to human ears. And yet, this is consistent with everything Peter has written up to this point.

  • What does 1 Thessalonians 5:16 and Philippians 4:4 tell us about rejoicing?
  • Even when our circumstances are not what we hope or desire, what do the following verses teach us about why we can always rejoice:
    • Justified… Romans 5:1–2
    • Growth… Romans 5:3–5
    • Heirs… Romans 8:17
    • Eternal Security… Romans 8:35–39
    • One with Jesus… Galatians 3:27-28
    • No Longer Slaves to Sin… Romans 6:6–8
    • Jesus will Never Leave or Abandon You… Hebrews 13:5
  • What other biblical reasons are causes for us to always rejoice.

READ AND FOCUS ON 1 PETER 4:16
If it truly indicates our identity in Christ, and our place in God’s family forever it should be an honor to carry the title of Christian. Peter rejects the idea that being associated with Christ should ever be received as an insult. In Acts 4–5, Peter and John were sharing Christ, teaching the Bible, and healing the sick. They were arrested, freed by an angel of the Lord, and then brought before the religious leaders.

  • What was the result of Peter and John following Jesus, see Acts 5:40.
  • How did Peter and John respond (glorify) the Lord in this suffering, see Acts 5:41–42?
  • How might Peter’s experience in Acts have impacted his writing (under the influence of the Holy Spirit) to the suffering dispersed Christians he’s writing to in 1 Peter?

READ AND FOCUS ON 1 PETER 4:19
How should Christians respond to suffering in this life, especially to suffering we experience for being identified with Jesus? Peter sums up much of his answer to that question in this one verse.

  • The ancient Greek word translated “commit” is a technical one, used for leaving money on deposit with a trusted friend. Such a trust was regarded as one of the most sacred things in life, and the friend was bound by honor to return the money intact. It is the very word Jesus used when He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46).
  • What does it look like to entrust ourselves to God? How do the following verses bolster our confidence in trusting Him: Romans 8:35–39; Matthew 28:20; John 16:33; Hebrews 13:5?
  • What does the end of Verse 19 tell us to continue to do in suffering while trusting God? (Matthew 5:16)

GROW

These questions are geared towards application of Scripture and Sunday’s message.

How does Peter’s teaching help us to better understand the following…

  • Christians should not see suffering for Jesus as strange and unusual.
  • Christians should not judge God’s character or trustworthiness by the quality of our circumstances (Romans 8:28).
  • If suffering was a suitable tool to teach Jesus (Hebrews 5:8), it is a suitable tool to teach us who follow Him (Romans 5:3-5).

Although we (Christians in America) don’t experience persecution and suffering to the extent of our brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries, we still go through circumstances where we may suffer for following Jesus.

  • Has there been a time in your life where following Jesus cost you or caused you to suffer?
  • During a time of suffering did you see the Holy Spirit minister to you in a unique way? Share.

God is always teaching, working, shaping, and molding us, especially during difficult times and suffering.

  • How can suffering for Jesus lead us to a special place of abandoning the hope of finding satisfaction in anything apart from Jesus?


Today’s message wrapped up with a very specific application that focused on our attitude during suffering. The text from today calls us to three specific things when experiencing suffering: 1) Rejoice. 2) Glorify God. 3) Trust. If Jesus calls us to be set apart from the world in how we live, act, and respond matters. Being set apart speaks and shows Jesus to those who don’t know Him.

  • How does our attitude and these three application points powerfully speak of our faith in God through Christ to those around us?
  • Which one of our application points comes easiest for you? Which is most difficult?

GO

Take a next step and put your faith into action!

We must understand that we will experience difficult times for following Jesus and sometimes this is part of God’s will for us. Whatever the case we are called to respond with an attitude of rejoicing, glorifying God, and trusting Him. This response is a declaration to ourselves, and the world around us, that we will not wait for circumstances to improve before we call God good. We will believe that our good God is caring for us through our suffering and into the glory of eternity.

  • How do you, in your sphere of influence, need to declare this attitude to those around you this week?
  • How can you be ready for Gospel opportunities that may arise?

PRAYER

Pray for one another and bring your requests to God.

Northwest Prayer Highlight: Pray for opportunities to:

  • Have Gospel conversations (with gentleness and respect)
  • Show hospitality
  • Invite unchurched to dinner, coffee, church event, Sunday morning service, etc.

Small Group Prayer Requests: Take some time to gather prayer requests from the group. Have someone write these down to see how God moves and answers prayer.