mollymadhat

Q3. (4:5-7) Why don't non-Christians like the idea of giving an account of their actions? Why don't we Christians like it? What should the realization that we must give an account of our actions inspire in us? With what attitude should we live as a result? Non-Christians and Christians alike don't like the idea of accounting for their actions. For the non-Christian: The world tries to make everyone TOLERANT of everything, TOLERANT of sin. Or society is becomming one of non-accountability -that way no one has to feel guilty. Christians don't like the idea of accounting for their actions either because we are afraid that at some point we failed at something. This accountability though should inspire us to strive for pure lives. As we are urged to do in Phil 2:12 "continue to work our your salvation with fear and trembling" This in no way takes away from the gift of eternal life that is ours in Jesus. Knowing what Jesus did and the love that we have for Him will inspire our hearts to follow his example. We won't WANT to live any other way!

Q2. (4:3-4) Why do non-Christians try to get you to sin with them. Why are we tempted to do so? How can we resist this temptation? I think non-Christians try to get us to sin with them because then they can say "See, you're really not better than us, you have just as many problems as we do" It's human nature to want to fit in and that is often what tempts us to join in. We can resist by leaning on the power of Jesus and looking at the Big Picture. What is the result of our sinning? What will happen to us if we forsake our values? Where is our hope and our future if we remain steadfast for the truth?

Q1. (4:1-2) When the scripture says "arm yourselves with the same attitude" as Christ had, how should this attitude help keep you from sin? What attitude are we talking about? This attitude of Christs' was self-sacrificing. He did not give in to selfish desires. 1 Peter 4:3 lists some of what these are. We humans are so prone to them in one form or another. Overeating is one of them.(I struggle with this one) and many others. I found it very interesting in verse 1 "because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. v.3. As a RESULT he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." So by not giving in to sin, we are made stronger to resist sin. The attitude is self sacrifice. Give in to God's will and live your life with freedom!!!

Q4. (3:20-21) Various Christian traditions have different practices of baptism -- the mode (sprinkling, pouring, immersion) and the age (infant vs. an age when a person can profess his or her own faith). Let's not argue about that in this forum. Let me ask you the crucial question for you -- Have you pledged your faith in Jesus Christ and promised to serve him as his disciple? How does this pledge relate to your own baptism? I have both pledged my faith in Jesus Christ and promised to serve him as His disciple. When I was baptized I made my commitment public. Baptism is a beautiful experience , one of the best spiritual experiences of my life. By baptism, you are stating openly that you do have faith in what Jesus Christ did for you and you promise to follow Him. This is not something to take lightly and it is wonderful!!!

Q3. (3:18a) Meditate for a few minutes on this verse: "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." Now personalize it to imagine (1) your sins, (2) your unrighteousness, and (3) your reconciliation with God. Each of these ideas is awesome! Which of these three aspects of the verse has God impressed most strongly on you today? Select one of the three and share it. What impressed me most is the reconciliation with God "to bring you to God". How wonderful that God gave his son to suffer and God himself suffered as well in spirit just so you and I can come to Him. He loves us so amazingly! It will be so wonderful when we are in heaven and can just sit at his feet. But also wonderful is the fact that we can already enjoy this communing with Him now in prayer!

Q2. (3:15-16) Why is it so hard for us to be a witness when we're persecuted? Why is it easy in tough places to be the wrong kind of witness? Which one of Peter's four instructions do you find most needed in your particular situation? I think it is hard to stand up, to be on the unpopular side of a view, whether you are being persecuted or not. I recently had to stand up and explain some of my views to the homeroom teacher at my daughter's school. It would have been far easier to just go with the crowd. I risked her being upset with me. But I realized if I didn't stand up, my conscience was going to bother me more. After I did stand up I felt such relief and joy just knowing I did the right thing. It's hard to be a witness because it so difficult to be ridiculed! It is far easier to just not say anything - when we don't stand up for what we believe in we are the wrong kind of witness. I learned from my situation that if God was bothering my conscience then He wants me to stand firmly for what I believe and also that HE WILL GIVE THE STRENGTH TO DO HIS WILL.

Q1. (3:8-9) Which of the qualities Peter mentions in 3:8-9 are most evident in your congregation? Which are most needed? What can you and your friends do to change the relational climate at your Church so it is more Christ-like? I am new (2 months) to my new congregation so I don't know them well enough. I think a common problem in congregations is humility. It is very hard to respond with blessing but that is what God asks us to do. Responding with blessing in situations where we are treated insultingly or in any way unfairly can difuse the situation. This will result in less conflicts.

Q5. (3:7) How can treating one's wife wrongly hinder a husband's prayers. How can treating a husband wrongly hinder a wife's prayers? When we treat each other wrongly this shows that our heart is not in harmony with God. Proverbs 15:29 says "The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous".

Q4. (3:7) Why should a husband relate to his wife with knowledge and wisdom? In what way does this demonstrate love? In what way does this demonstrate self-interest? Why do men sometimes try to dominate their wives? Why do wives sometimes try to dominate their husbands? What harm does this do? How is domination of another person contrary to God's nature? If we, wives and husbands alike, can relate to each other with knowledge and wisdom then how much easier it would be to live in harmony! Harmony = love. It is in our best interest to live in peace and love with each other. Dominance is not a husband issue. It is a partner issue. Plenty of women I know dominate their husbands. But this is not right on either side. This controlling, dominating nature needs to be subdued. We want to be first and boss over our partner but that is God's place - this is why dominance is contrary to God's nature.

Q3. (3:4-6) How does a person cultivate inner beauty? How does one gain character? Why is true character so important and precious to God? How can character help a Christian woman win and hang onto her husband? Inner beauty is cultivated with surrender and obedience to God. It also comes from the practice of giving of your time and energy to others without a selfish or angry spirit. I have often thought about the text of 1 Timothy 2:15 "But women will be saved through childbearing..." I think it speaks of the giving up of self that is required with child rearing. This giving up of ourselves is what develops character. This unselfish character is so precious to God because it is the spirit of heaven. This character helps us with our husbands too because when we are lovely to be around then they will want and enjoy our company.

Q2. (3:3) Why should women try to look their best? How can trying to look their best divert women from what is more important? What is the balance? Women should look neat and clean but we should not strive to have piles of expensive clothing. Shopping for something new all the time should not be our primary source of entertainment. Also the extravagance of getting your nails done and having lots of jewelry, these are distractions that lead only to self. When we focus all our time and money on self, we lose focus of Jesus Christ. Our balance should be to look clean and modest without striving for all the latest trends. Our striving should be for inner beauty, the beauty of a quiet and gentle nature.

Q1. (3:1) Why is submission so difficult for us humans? Does submission require you to be silent when you don't agree or feel something can be improved? When is submission wrong for Christian? I think submission is naturally hard because basic human nature strives for control. Submission does NOT require you to be silent when you don't agree with something but it DOES require you to compromise with your mate even when you don't always agree. I have found from experience that when I disagree with my husband and I state everything I think about it and he still disagrees - then if I am just quiet and make up my mind to accept what ever he decides then MANY times he comes around to what I was thinking...my being quiet gives him a chance to think over what we discussed. He then doesn't feel defensive and angry. This of course doesn't always work and I just have to accept when I don't get everything my way. Also remember your mate needs things to go his way too!! But submission is wrong for christians when it will make you go against your moral beliefs or against God's will. My husband is not a christian and I know the heartache of disagreement over moral issues. The best thing you can do is to decide what you must NOT COMPROMISE and then calmly tell your husband what they are. Then just be consistant! Eventually your husband WILL get the message that you will NOT compromise on those matters and the tension WILL ease up in your home.

Q4. (2:24b) If Jesus died to set us free from sin's power, why does sin have such power over us still? According to 2:24b, how must we deal with sin? In practical terms, how can we "die to sin"? In everyday language, what does "live for righteousness" mean? Wow, what a question! This topic has been heatedly debated in my circles for years. I will just relate though what personal experience has taught me. When I first gave my heart to God some of my sinful life just fell away so easily. Other sins were much more tenacious. To "die to this sin" I did much praying and asking God to take it away. And I eventually overcame that sin (acholohism) but it didn't come easy and it didn't come quickly. It took about 3 years of God bringing it to my attention daily with me sometimes accepting and other times rejecting His counsel. God Himself will bring attention to the areas of our life where we need to change. And he will work with us till this is accomplished. I think the problem is usually that we have difficulty surrendering to His suggestions. Dying to sin means surrendering to God and His will. To live for righteousness is based on this same surrender. Basically, sin has no power over us unless we let it.

Q3. (2:24a) This may seem like a simplistic question, but give it thought before you answer, and then answer thoughtfully. What is the significance to you personally that Jesus bore your sins in his own body on the cross? When I meditate on how Jesus personally bore my sin on the cross, I feel so dirty and unworthy. This makes me want to do better and be more pure. I think I take this forgiveness for granted. I am remimded of Galatians 5:1 :" It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. " LETS NOT LIVE IN SLAVERY BUT LET US REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE VICTORY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!!

Q2. Why is Jesus' sinlessness important to understanding your salvation? In what way do you think Jesus suffered when your sins were poured into his soul? How could a sinless Man stand this kind of corruption? Jesus' sinlessness is important because without it we don't have salvation. Jesus suffered more deeply by His exposure to our sin than He did by the physical pain of the cross. The bible says that God cannot stand to be in the presence of sin. Yet Jesus bore our sin on that tree!! He took it in so that we might live! That is the depth of His love!!

Q1. (2:21) According to 2:21, in what sense did Jesus suffer for you personally? Jesus suffered with physical pain and emotional pain for me. He suffered without retaliation, quietly. He did this as an example of how to respond to suffering.

Q4. (2:21-23) How does Christ's example speak to your situation? How is your behavior going to be different because of what you see in Jesus' character in this passage? Christ's example lets me have peace. I realize that I don't have to FIX everything! I don't have to make sure every one is fair to me. His example gives freedom. I can trust and not be afraid. What's more free than that!

Q3. (2:18-20) How does being an employee "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace? Can a conscientious Christian be a complainer? Why or why not? How do you usually react to prolonged, unfair treatment at your work? When we are conscious of God we are constantly aware that He sees all that we do. When we are faced with injustice we can remember that our time on this earth is just for a little while. The hope of eternity lives in our hearts. It's possible for all of us to be complainers but we should consider how others see us when we are. Complainers are a constant dripping. You show your lack of trust in God when you constantly complain - and do Him disservice. I have complained about unfair treatment at work to other workers and to the Boss as well. It worked out better when I addressed the Boss about my thoughts than just to let off steam with fellow employees.

Q2. (2:18) If we are to submit to our employers and respect them, what is that saying about God's expectation that we do a good job? In what sense do we dishonor God when we don't give our full effort to our jobs? I think this is saying that God expects us to do our very best, honest work. To not do little cheats with our time card. To be honest about the little things such as the length of our breaks ect.. as well as the big things. We dishonor God when we don't give our best effort. Most people of the world expect a lot from christians. They know the standards that we are to live up to. When we don't live up to those standards then why should they try to. It also gives ALL christians a bad name when some behave badly. My sister-in-law says that is why she won't go to church. Because she has seen some christians do wrong.. like gossiping ect... Our example really counts!!!!

Q1. (2:15-16) In what way is God's glory dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives? How is God hurt when we get rebellious? God's kingdom is one of submissiveness and obedience , for the opposite of these are rebellion. satan's kingdom is one of rebellion. If we are going to show the beauty and Glory of God then we need to live in such a way that reflects that beauty through our obedience and repect to others.

Q5. (2:12) How can the good deeds we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise. How does our "blending in" detract from God's praise? When we live our lives in a self sacrificing way, it is so obviously different than the way the world lives. Self sacrifice is a beautiful thing. It leads us to forgive when people don't deserve forgiveness. It leads us to go out of our way to help others. When we copy Jesus' example of how to treat each other , it will be a fragrant offering to our community. They will see the beauty of unselfishness and they can then SEE what God's character is all about. They will see HIS beauty and praise Him for it. On the other hand, when we "blend in", we bring such disservice to God. People see that we behave just like the world. They see that if we can't overcome then they can't overcome either and there's not any hope for either of us. It makes it appear as if God isn't powerful. It detracts from His authority.

Q4. (2:11) Read 1 Peter 2:11 carefully. The world tells us (1) to conform and (2) that sin won't hurt us. What does Peter tell us to combat these lies? How can this reminder help us? We are to act like the strangers and aliens that we are in this world. We are not a part of this world. People should see our lives and be able to tell that we are different. We are different because we do not do all of the pleasure seeking that the world does. All sin is SELFish and these sinful desires WAR against our soul. They destroy us. But we are not living under the rule of the darkness of this world any longer, WE HAVE BEEN FREED! PRAISE GOD!

Q3. (2:9) What actions and attitudes should this idea of being part of God's own people inspire in us? What an amazing thought! That we are so precious to God and are so special to Him. This should inspire in us the desire to be the very best examples of His love and goodness. We should meditate on this reality - that we are dearly loved children of God. We want to please Him, honor Him, obey Him, and rejoice in Him!

Q2. (2:5) If your praise is primarily for God's benefit, not your own, how should you be offering praise? Our praise to our God should be our thankfulness to Him, our rejoicing for His goodness.. and this should be done throughout our day. We should be thinking of Him and praising Him often. And then the result is that we are blessed also. Our God is great.. by giving to Him we are given to as well!

Q1. (2.5) Christians often look at their relation to God as consumers, delighting in what God does for them. What is the mindset of a priest towards God? What actions does this mindset inspire in you? The mindset of a priest is servanthood. He desires to serve God with purity of heart. He desires to obey every command. He realizes the weight of responsibility for the people of God. As I contemplate this mindset, I am inspired. 1 Peter 2:9 says: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood..." God wants us to have this mindset of purity, obedience, responsibility. I think I will make it a priority each morning to consider this mindset. When I think of priest hood I imagine that a lot is expected of them because of their position. Maybe God expects more of me. More than I have been giving.