Hope - Week 3: A Fearful Obedience

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE 
For the week of September 15th

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Connecting (Aim for 2 minutes)

Upcoming Grace Calendar 

• New Partner’s Workshop (Sept. 21, 9-11am) – If you’re new to Grace, or have never officially become a member, sign up for the September New Partners Workshop at gracelaredo.org/events 
• Women’s Retreat – Save the Date, Oct. 18-20. 

Breaking the Ice/Think Time (Aim for 12 minutes)

1. When you hear the phrase holy person, what comes to mind? 
   
   

• Quick Review… Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon, what caught your attention, challenged, or confused you? 

Understanding the Truth (Aim for 30-40 minutes)

• Read 1 Peter 1:13-16

  1. What is the intention of “therefore” in verse 13? How does this verse relate to the previous passage? 

  2. In verses 13, Peter gives 3 commands to respond in their salvation. What are they? 

  3. Verses 15-16 command Peter’s readers to “be holy”. How are they, as “obedient children”, supposed demonstrate their holiness? 

  4. Read Leviticus 11:45. When was the original command to be holy given, to whom was it given and why? 

  5. Why then are we also called to be holy? 

• Read vs. 17-21

  1. What does Peter say they need to do if they call God their Father? (vs.17) 

  2. What does it mean to “conduct yourself with fear”? 

  3. According to vv. 18-19, with what and from what were you ransomed? What does it mean to be “ransomed”? 

  4. When was this payment from sin planned, when was it manifested and for who? (vs. 20) 

  5. Through Whom are we believers in God? Why is our hope and faith in God? (vs.21) 

  6. Summarize vs. 13- 21 together as a group. What seems to be Peter’s main point in these verses? 

Seeing Our Savior

We have been ransomed by the precious blood of Jesus. We have a new Father and can now live in fear and holiness before Him. Jesus was chosen before the foundation of the world. Jesus’s resurrection is the reason we have a Living Hope, Holiness and a Relationship with God. 

Living the Truth (Aim for 20 minutes)

1. In what areas of your life are you struggling to walk in fearful obedience? Are there circumstances that make this struggle particularly difficult?  

2. How might an honest attempt to “be holy” and live differently improve your walk with Christ?  

3. How should knowing that you were “ransomed” by the precious blood of Christ and born again to a living hope impact how you live? Explain. 

God not only hears, but loves to answer prayers that are “according to His will.” (1 John 5:14-15). We can pray confidently when we pray obediently to this truth. You have just spent time discovering God’s will for you. Now, ask God for what you need to fulfill His will in your life, your friends & family, neighbors, church & community. Don’t be afraid to ask forgiveness where you have blown it, strength where you are weak, courage where you are afraid.

 Prayer Requests (Aim for minimum of 10 minutes) 
Pray that God reveals to you who He truly is