1. If we live the beautiful, honorable life Peter has been urging us to live thus far in the letter, what kind of response does Peter suggest in this passage we might get from the world around us?
2. Are you able to see yourself as blessed, even if you suffer for Christ? Are you able to see yourself favored and accepted by God in even the suffering? Do you cherish God’s feelings towards you even more than man’s especially when the world is hostile to you?
3. How have we (or those we know) experienced that?
4. How are we tempted to fear?
5. How does Peter help us to overcome our fear?
6. If we are suffering, how can Peter say we can’t be harmed?
7. How can Peter say we are “blessed” if we suffer?
8. What does it mean to “in your heart set apart Christ as Lord”?
9. What does Peter suggest will intrigue unbelievers about Christians? How do you think our hope be evident to those around us?
10. In what ways might we fail to show “gentleness” and/or “respect” (fear) when we are speaking of our faith in response to the unbelievers’ questions?
PRAYER:
O Lord, AS our shepherd, help us to live content in all things.
To do good, to pursue peace, to fear you and follow in your path and find rest there.
To respond to the evil of others with love, hospitality, and blessing
For the good of others, your glory and so that we may dwell with You, forever. Amen.