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"The Holy Standard" by Pastor Tony

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Life Group Discussion Guide 

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Rock of Ages, 1 & 2 Peter Sermon Series
“The Holy Standard” by Pastor Tony

March 1, 2020
If you have questions, contact Pastor Ric,

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon.

Context:   Peter’s epistles were written to love on and prepare the church to follow Jesus in spite of challenges realized and yet to come.  Peter, “the Rock”, is now in Rome, the epicenter of the known world. He is awaiting his time, but charging to the end, inspired by his “living hope”.  Remember, there is hope that carries us through the suffering.  Jesus leads us through the suffering not away from it.  Our salvation was accomplished through suffering which leads to the glory of Jesus through his work in us. 

Sermon Texts:   Genesis 1:1;  Genesis 3;  1 Peter 1:13-16; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 12:2 

Trust must inform and guide what we do in life.

Pastor Tony’s Take-Aways: 
Road map for living to glorify Jesus (I Peter 1:13-16) 

  1. Be mentally prepared to act. (v. 13a)

  2. Follow the Spirit’s lead (v. 13a)

  3. Live with the anticipation that Christ could come at any time. (v. 13b)

  4. Leave behind ignorant living and obey Christ. (v. 14; Romans 12:2)

  5. Be holy like Jesus. (v. 15-16)

Leaders, please choose only the best question(s) for your group.
We are praying for you as you lead these discussions:

Discussion Guide:  

  1. What about today’s teaching caused you to question, want to dig deeper, or resulted in even more questions about pursuing life in Christ?

  2. Sometimes life’s challenges do catch us “off-guard”. How can the believer always find hope and be prepared for whatever junk life throws at us?

  3. What is a good plan for resisting temptation? How could those in our Life Group, or others we trust, be a part of that plan?
     
  4. Paul conversed with a group of philosophers called “Epicureans”. What did they believe?  Explain why it is antithetical to our Christian world view of living a life that glorifies God.  (Remember today’s teaching about holiness and anticipating Christ’s return.)

  5. How does holiness arise out of our love for Christ? Why is this important to those in our oikos?
Posted by Ric Joline with

“The Mystery of Suffering That Leads to Glory” by Pastor Tony

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Life Group Discussion Guide

PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Rock of Ages, 1 & 2 Peter Sermon Series
“The Mystery of Suffering That Leads to Glory” by Pastor Tony

February 23, 2020
If you have questions, contact Pastor Ric,

Below are some discussion questions relating to a recent sermon. These are provided so that your Life Group can discuss what was shared. Previous Weeks’ Discussion Guides and Sermon Notes are available through the Sermons under the Resources menu. Click on the sermon series and then the sermon you are interested in.  You will see a paper icon under the sermon title. Click the icon to open the sermon notes. To listen to the sermon, click on the speaker icon.

Context:   Peter’s epistles were written to love on and prepare the church to follow Jesus in spite of challenges realized and yet to come.  Peter, “the Rock”, is now in Rome, the epicenter of the known world. He is awaiting his time, but charging to the end, inspired by his “living hope”.  We should embrace this very charge ourselves!

Sermon Texts:   1 Peter 1:10-12 (central passage); Jeremiah 31:15; Zechariah 11:12, 13; 12:10; Isaiah 53:4-6, 11, 12; Psalm 22; 16:8-11; Luke 15:10; Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 7:9-17; Hebrews 10:19-25

Pastor Tony’s Take Aways:

  1. Suffering can lead to glory.

  2. Because Christ suffered, salvation comes to the many. The angels say, “Glory to God!”

  3. By faith, we experience this grace of God even in our suffering. We say, “Glory to God!”

  4. Because of this grace, the glory of Christ is on display through us! Both angels and saints say, “Glory to God!”


Leaders, please choose only the best question(s) for your group.
We are praying for you as you lead these discussions:

Discussion Guide: 

  1. As a Life Group:
  • Come to an agreement of a definition of the terms “suffering” and “glory” as they are used in our culture today.
  • How might this understanding differ from a biblical view of these terms?
  • Try this for further comparison: ask those in your oikos for their definitions. 
  1. As parents, it is difficult to watch our kids suffer. How do you think the heart of God reacts to our suffering?  Do you have any biblical support for your opinion?

  2. How have you experienced glory as a result of suffering in your life?

  3. After hearing the prophetic story of Christ’s sufferings anew, discuss your emotional response to this wonderful truth.

  4. All glory is something that ultimately goes to God alone. 
  • How/why should believers give God the glory He is due?
  • What happens if we don’t do this?
  1. In light of Hebrews 10:19-22, how does the amazing wonder of our freedom to confidently go to God exist as a form of glory both to God and his church?
Posted by Ric Joline with

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