Strangers

10/20/19 Pastor Derek Dapena “Strangers” series, a study of 1 Peter Living Examples 1 Peter 2:21-24

1. Read 1 Peter 2:21. As a Jesus follower, you are called and marked by God. Think of the people Peter was talking to, why would this be hard for them to believe? Why can this be challenging for you to believe?
2. If you know in your head you are called and marked by God, why is this a hard truth to daily live out in your thoughts, feelings, actions and relationships?
3. Read verse 21 again. When you're suffering, what examples from Jesus do you seek to follow?
4. Read 1 Peter 2:22-23. Jesus' example of not retaliating in thought, word or action when he was wrongly accused or attacked is an example we're asked to follow. When you are betrayed, attacked or under accusation, how do you respond?
5. Always let your faith drive your choices; faith is both what we believe and what we do. Faith fills the gap between our reality and our theology. Verse 23 says Jesus continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. What does this mean and how does living by faith compare to our fleshly impulse to react?
6. Read 1 Peter 2:24. What does this truth mean to you? How does refocusing yourself on the depths of this truth change your perspective in your current circumstances?
7. Read Romans 12:14-21. Who in your life, can you show extravagant, Jesus honoring, love to? When you read this list in Romans on how to live as "little Christs", what specifically can you ask the Holy Spirit to help with as you seek to live for the benefit of others?