Bible Study

Bible study is the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month instead of a regular service.

This is when we delve deeper in the scriptures, like the Bereans, to better understand what we are reading. Some people think we should not question God, but there are times when those hard questions nag at you like “why did God let the satan attack Job” or when a hard saying of Jesus like “if you call someone a fool you are liable to the fire of gehenna” just gets in the way of your faith. All over the Bible the Psalmists and prophets were constantly asking God some tough questions when they don’t understand what’s happening to them. And so, we, like them should not shy away from asking too. We might not get all the answers we are looking for, but we come away with a better understanding of the passages we are studying and knowing that our God is a big and does not feel threatened by our questioning.

Week 11 – Exhortations for Christian Living
November 29, 2015
Study

The First Letter of Peter: Holy Living in the Midst of Fiery Trials.

In these verses, Peter exhorts (encourages, urges, or cautions) the Believer to love one another, to keep a humble attitude, not to repay evil with evil, and not to retaliate with insults when insulted. But if we are all honest, we know that is not easy, but it is the life one must practice. However, knowing that our Christ-like behavior glorifies God who watches over those who do right and whose ears are open to their prayers, and bestows favors (blessings), should be a great encouragement. Remember the Lord turns his face against those who do evil. 


Questions
  1. What is the commandment Peter gives to the church?
  2. How are we to respond to personal attacks?
  3. Why are we to bless others when they insult or attack us?
  4. What are we to do if we desire to enjoy life and see many good days?
  5. Who does the Lord turn his face away from?

Answers

  1. We should live in harmony, be sympathetic, love one another as brothers/sisters, and have a humble mind.
  2. Not to retaliate with insult for insult or evil for evil
  3. We are to bless others because it is a part of our Christian calling and we, in turn, will receive a blessing from God.
  4. We are to keep our tongues from speaking evil and our lips from speaking lies.
  5. Those who do evil.
Selected Scripture Verses
I Peter 3:8-12

(8) Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. (9) Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (10) For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. (11) They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. (12) For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Open Hands Church