Last Sunday, as part of the Trial: Eight Witnesses from 1 and 2 Peter series, I preached on "Temptation from Sin" from 1 Peter 1:13-21. I spoke at length about hope. The theme of hope from this week is anchored in the following verses:

• 1 Peter 1:3 - "He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."


• 1 Peter 1:13 - "Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."


• 1 Peter 1:21 - "Your faith and hope are in God."

On the side of the stage before I went up to preach, I came up with some last minute practical points and discussion questions for the thousands of people in community groups who will be talking about the sermon this week. Since they were last minute, I wanted to put them and some other information in this blog to be helpful. Here are the main points of the sermon, followed by each applicable discussion question:

#1. I can be a wise learner (1 Peter 1:13).

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action . . ."

These are the five ways I gave to increase one's learning:

1. Hear God's Word
   
   
   
   • Audio Bible
   
   
   • Church attendance and participation
   
   
   • Podcasts/vodcasts and other online media (e.g., Resurgence, John Piper, Tim Keller, Ravi Zacharias, Matt Chandler)
   
   
   • Classes (e.g., Covenant Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary)
   
   
   
   


2. Read God's Word
   
   
   
   • Christian reference books (www.bestcommentaries.com)
   
   
   • Bible software (www.logos.com)
   
   
   
   


3. Memorize God's Word


4. Study God's Word


5. Discuss God's Word

Discussion Question: What do you need to learn right now?

#2. I can be a sober thinker (1 Peter 1:13).

". . . and being sober-minded..."

Discussion Question: What clouds your decision-making or judgment?

#3. I can be a grace seeker (1 Peter 1:13).

". . . set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Discussion Question: Where is God's grace evident in your life?

#4. I can be a holy worshiper (1 Peter 1:14-16).

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Discussion Question: How are you not like Dad?

#5. I can be a ransomed sinner (1 Peter 1:17-19).

"And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."

Discussion Question: What are your shackles?

#6. I can be a legacy leaver (1 Peter 1:18).

"You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers."

Discussion Question: What will your legacy be?

#7. My faith and hope are in God (1 Peter 1:20-21).

"He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

Discussion Question: Are your faith and hope truly in Jesus Christ?