The Goal of Creation (Ascending in Victory) (vv. 1-5)

Another Way (Ascending in Defeat)

The God of Jacob (vv. 6-10)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What does the “fullness of the earth” refer to in verse 1? What was Adam’s job in creation (Genesis 1:28)?

Tuesday—What reward would Adam have received for doing his job well? How does that relate the description of the righteous person described in verses 4 and 5 (clean hands, pure heart and an honest tongue)?

Wednesday—Who was Jacob and what was he known for (Genesis 25:29 - 28:5)? Did Jacob deserve to see heaven because of clean hands, a pure heart and an honest tongue? What did he deserve?

Thursday—What did God promise to Jacob (Genesis 28:10-22)? What did it take for Jacob to be blessed by God (Genesis 32:22-32)? Why does God conquer and subdue them?

Friday—Psalm 24 presents God as ascending back up his holy mountain into his house. What does it mean that he has first descended to the earth (Ephesians 4:8-10)? Whom does he bring with him as he goes back up to his home (Psalm 24:7-10)?ean that you will have no problems? Is where does it teach you to set your hope (v. 6)?

Jesus’ resurrection on the third days tells us that the enemy is conquered, peace with God has been restored, and Gentiles are now invited in to share in these blessings.

The Original Tabernacle (and Temple)

The Exile, Destruction and Rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 6:1-18)

Jesus the True Tabernacle / Temple (John 1:14; 2:19)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What was the tabernacle? When was it made and why? What was it meant to represent and communicated to Israel?

Tuesday—How is the temple related to the tabernacle? Can you remember any of its features? What was the most important place in it? Why was it important?

Wednesday—Why did God send his people into exile in Babylon? Why was it for 70 years? How does the exile teach God’s people that the law could not save them?

Thursday—How was God’s declaration that the exile would only be 70 years tell his people that there was hope and a future? What did the rebuilding of the temple communicate after the exile?

Friday—Could Jesus have chosen to be raised on the 4th day or the 5th? Why not? Why does he call his body the “temple”? What does his resurrection tell us in light of the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra 6?

The only way to stand strong against the devil is the humbling habit of submission.

Why Submitting is Hard (v. 8; Genesis 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11)

Resisting the Devil (vv. 5-7, 9-14; Matthew 4:1-11)

Submitting (v. 5)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Is submission a good thing or a bad thing? Is it easy or hard? Why? Is this an area that you need to grow?

Tuesday—What is pride? Why does the devil always use our pride against us? What are some ways you have seen him do that in your life?

Wednesday—Re-read Matthew 4:4, 7, & 10. How did Jesus resist the devil? What does that show you about how you can resist the devil?

Thursday—What does submitting to your elders look like? (v. 5) Do you have to agree in order to submit? What are some things you can do to support your elders?

Friday—Is the suffering of this life forever? (vv. 10-11) How can that reality help you to stand strong when the world seems unfair?

Jesus establishes the pattern of caring for his sheep through his appointed shepherds.

Jesus Appoints Shepherds (v. 12-16)

Jesus Models Shepherding (v. 17-19)

Those who wish to be leaders in God’s house must serve with no view to personal gain.

The Shepherds of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:14-20

Feed My Sheep (vv. 1-2; John 21:15-19)

Under-Shepherds (vv. 2-4)

Discussion Starters

Monday—How do we tend to think about authority and those who possess it? Where do we get these ideas? Are they consistent with the Bible or at odds?

Tuesday—What kinds of instructions did God give to kings in Israel? (Deuteronomy 17:14-20) How did these compare with how kings typically led? Why were God’s instructions so different?

Wednesday—What happened when Jesus met with Peter after the resurrection? (John 21:15-19) How do you think this conversation influenced what we read in 1 Peter 5:1-4?

Thursday—What kind of qualities does Peter call elders to exhibit? (vv. 2-3) Is this what you have historically looked for in leaders? Are you praying for new leaders to be raised up that look like this?

Friday—What are the “two crowns” that belong to leaders in Christ’s church? Are these two crowns the sole possession of leaders, or do they belong to all Christians?

Affliction in the life of the Christian can bring joy when we understand that it’s part of what it means to belong to Jesus and that he is using it to make us more like him.

Don’t be Surprised (vv. 12, 19)

Suffering as a Christian (vv. 14-16)

God’s Purpose and Our Response to Trials (vv. 12-13, 16-19)

Discussion Starters

Monday— To whom was 1 Peter written? What was the situation like? How would you summarize its message so far? How has it challenged or helped you?

Tuesday—Why are so many Christians surprised by fiery trials? Why shouldn’t you be surprised? How does good theology prepare you for trials and bad theology ill-prepare you?

Wednesday—What does it mean to “suffer as a Christian”? (vv. 14-16) What all does it entail? Why?

Thursday—What are God’s purposes in ordaining trials in our lives? Why does he ordain more trials for his children than for the world? Is this proof of God’s love or his indifference?

Friday—How are you called to respond to “fiery trials?” Are you to rejoice in the trials themselves or something else? What and why?

Baptism serves as a picture of the kingdom of Christ—a kingdom of sacrifice and service, esteeming the weak above the strong, and putting others before yourself.

The Arrival of the Kingdom (vv. 35-37, 41; cf. Mark 8:22-30; 9:14-29)

The Correction (vv. 42-45; cf. Mark 8:14-21, 31-9:1; 9:30-32; 10:17-34)

The Sign(s) of Inclusion (vv. 38-40)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What is an initiation rite? What are some examples of initiation rites in our culture? What does the Bible say baptism brings us into (Galatians 3:27; 1 Cor 12:13; Mark 1:15; Romans 6:3)?

Tuesday—What were the Israelites expecting from the Messiah? In what ways did they expect him to be like David? When did James and John expect Jesus’ glory to be revealed?

Wednesday—What does Jesus say greatness looks like in his kingdom? Who is the chief example of this? How are you called to emulate the model set?

Thursday—Why did James and John fail to grasp the warnings Jesus gave about what awaited them in Jerusalem (Mark 8:31-9:1; 9:30-32; 10:32-34)? In what ways do we show the same short of blindness?

Friday—How is baptism a picture of greatness? How does it proclaim Jesus’ death? How does it set before those who receive what life looks like in Christ’s kingdom?

The time spent waiting for Jesus’ return should be spent learning to subdue your selfishness and serving others whether they be inside the church or out.

• The Beginning… and the End Arm Yourselves (vv.1-2)

• The Temptation to Live for Self (vv. 3-6)

• The Call to Live for God (vv. 7-11)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Whom did Satan tell Eve to serve in the Garden? (Gen 3:5) Whom did he tell her she could control? (Gen 3:6) How does this help you understand what lies at the heart of all sin?

Tuesday—Why is the world surprised when Christians don’t join in its sin? Why does it attack Christians for not joining? What should your mindset be toward the sinful passions of the world? Why?

Wednesday—What is self-control? How does it relate to denying yourself? (Matthew 16:24) Whom do you typically try to control? Why?

Thursday—Why does Peter call us to love each other above all else? (v. 8) Is hospitality hard or easy for you? Why? What gifts has God given you? How can you use them to serve others?

Friday—What does it mean to think like Jesus? (v. 1) How does that arm you to live in this world?

All Christians should be able to explain why they are confident that heaven awaits them by telling people what Jesus has done for them.

• What Jesus did… to Give Us Hope (vv. 18, 22)

• The Flood (vv. 19-20)

• Baptism (v. 21)

• Always Prepared (vv. 13-17)

Discussion Starters

Monday—What is apologetics? Does apologetics scary you or excite you (or both)? Why?

Tuesday—What does sin deserve? What did Jesus do to rescue from what you deserve for your sin? Why was it necessary?

Wednesday—How is the flood a picture of judgement and the Last Day? How is it also a picture of salvation? What are you meant to learn from it?

Thursday—Why did Jesus call his death his baptism? How is it like Noah’s flood? How does it picture salvation?

Friday—What does it mean to defend the hope that is within you? Do you need to be an expert in apologetics? What do you need to focus on?

Peace in life (and in marriage!) is found not in serving yourself, but surrendering to God.

Strong Women (vv. 1-6)

Strong Men (v. 7)

Seeing Good Days (vv. 8-14)

Discussion Starters

Monday—Do you desire to love life and see good days? What does that mean? Why is it such a desire for everyone? Where do you tend to look for contentment?

Tuesday—What is Psalm 34 about? Was pretending to be weak and insane flattering or humiliating for David? So why did he write about it? What did he want us to learn from his experience?

Wednesday—Why does God tell wives to submit to their husbands? Is this easy or hard? Does it take weakness or strength? What makes this hard to do?

Thursday—What does God expect from husbands as leaders? How does God respond to harsh or domineering husbands? Does it take weakness or strength to lead well? What makes this hard to do?

Friday—How is God’s understanding of strength different from the world’s? Why does it take strength to submit? Why is this the only road to peace and contentment?