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 14 – Serving and Suffering for the Glory of God
December 20, 2015
Study

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

Peter says the end of all things is near. When Jesus came that was the beginning of the end of time as we know it. Jesus came to fulfil the Old Covenant and to establish the New Covenant through his blood. The Scripture contains the teachings of our Lord by which we are to live, which will in turn bring glory to God. He tells us not to be complacent, but to be diligent and earnest in prayer, always being aware of his imminent return to complete all things. We should love one another fervently and offer hospitality without grumbling. We cannot be isolated and expect to grow because like a coal that is set aside in the fireplace, it will die quickly without the closeness of other “coals” to keep it burning. 


Questions
  1. What does Peter inform the church will happen shortly?
  2. What does Peter caution the Believer to do?
  3. What does Peter say is very important for us to do while we await the return of Christ?
  4. What is the purpose of our spiritual gifts?
  5. When we use our spiritual gifts to minister, what are we doing?

Answers

  1. The end of all things.
  2. To be spiritually sober and watchful in prayer.
  3. To fervently love one another and to be hospitable without grumbling.
  4. To minister to each other.
  5. God is being glorified through Christ Jesus
Selected Scripture Verses
I Peter 4:7-11

(7)The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. (8) Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (9) Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (10) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (11) If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Open Hands Church