Sharing Christ's Sufferings and Glory

Wednesday, August 13, 2014
1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 
16 Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God? 
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What are believers not to consider strange? (v.12)
2) Why should we rejoice when we face trials and other difficulties? (v.13)
3) What rests on you when you suffer reproach for Christ and how do others respond to God? (v.14)
4) Do we receive the Lord's blessings when we are persecuted for wrongdoings that we have committed? (v.15)
5) How should we respond if we suffer because of what we do as Christians? (v.16)
6) Where does judgement begin? (v.17a)
7) What will happen to the ungodly and the sinner? (v.17b, 18)
8) What shall we do if we suffer according to God's will? (v.19)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
9) Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith in Jesus Christ? If so, please describe one such time.
10) Have you ever suffered because of your own wrong doing? How does that differ from suffering as a Christian?
11) Have you ever felt that the Lord was keeping you from sinning, even when you wanted to? Please explain.

PRINCIPLES
12) The Lord allows us to suffer to strengthen our faith, suspend our pride, or surrender to His rule!
13) God is glorified when we suffer as Christians!
14) God is rejected by those who do not understand Him, or the suffering He allows!
15) God will never allow His people to suffer beyond what we are able to bear!