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Call to worship: Philippians 2:1-11

Text: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Outline:

1. A Christ-honoring resolve to...
   • suffer (4:1)
   • treasure (4:2-3)
2. A self-condemning...
   • orientation (4:4)
   • response (4:4)
3. A Gospel-based...
   • accounting (4:5)
   • posture (4:6)

Prepare

1. What images does the phrase "arm yourselves" bring to mind? What does Peter challenge the church to arm itself with?
2. What desires attempt to rule you? What desires attempt to climb the stairs and sit on the throne of your life, intending to displace God himself? How can we recognize and react when a desire begins to go from "unobtained" to "inordinate".
3. What does Peter mean when he refers to "Gentiles" in 4:3? What does this have to do with the rest of the letter, specifically with the church and Jesus' purpose and vision?
4. In vv.5-6, Peter encourages the church with the fact that all will finally meet the judge, here meaning God the Father. Is the idea of "God as judge" comforting to you? Why or why not? What makes someone a good or bad judge?
5. Is your faith public? If a coworker was to find out you were a Christian, would it be a surprise to them? Jesus cautions against doing our goods deeds "publicly". How is this different from living in a Christ-glorifying manner before a watching world?