Doing the Most Good - 1 Peter 4:12-19

These are the study notes for tonight's Men's Bible Study at the Oak Creek Salvation Army at 6:00 p.m.  Join us for this last study of the year!

What kind of anesthesia do you use at the dentist?

What were your first reactions to the Army’s brand, "Doing the Most Good?"

Rejoicing in Suffering
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.
In what sense is the suffering of the Christian part of Christ’s suffering?  What are we asked to do in verse 13 when we suffer?  What is the promise for those who rejoice?

What would you tell a new believer about what to expect from the Christian life?  In what ways were you surprised?  What would you have done differently?

Judgment
Where does Peter think judgment should begin?  What do you think this will be like?  How do you think those outside the "family" will react?

What is the answer to Peter’s questions in verses 18 + 19?

Do you agree with him (and the writer of Proverbs 11:31) that it is hard for the righteous to be saved?  In what way is this true?

What does it mean to commit ourselves to our faithful Creator (v 19)?

What is my part in continuing to do good?  What is God’s part?

"Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."
    John Wesley

Application
What will be hard for you about the judgment?  What part of your life needs "saving?"

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 5:1-13.

Trading One Set of Friends For Another - 1 Peter 4:1-11

These are the study notes for the Men's Bible Study at The Salvation Army in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 1, 2010.  Join us if you can!

Opener:
What was one of the worst things you did as a child?  Did you confess, or were you caught?  How did others react to you?

Perspective on Change
Read 1 Peter 4:1-6.
How did your life change when you turned it over to Christ?  How did those around you react?  Was it similar to what he describes in verse 4?

What kind of abuse have you experienced for your faith?

Others
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11.
What keys for effective prayer does Peter suggest?  Why is there urgency to these steps?

What habits help you in your prayer time?

What is the focus on our behavior in verses 8-10?  Is this service to others easy or difficult?  Why?  (Compare with Hebrews 10:24-25)

How would serving suffering people give them strength?  What does it do for us?

Application
What part of verses 8-11 is most difficult for you?  What can we do today to serve suffering people better?

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.