September 29, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 4:19, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 22:39-43, Acts 7:54-60, 2 Corinthians 1:3-11


In what way will Jesus play a part during times of spiritual persecution?  Why is this important?


What steps are required in order for this to take place?  What is promised will be the result?


How does this help explain historical accounts for Christian martyrs?  How can this apply to your life today?

September 28, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 4:13, 16-18, Proverbs 11:31, Philippians 2:12, 3:8-11


How is there an intimacy with Jesus that can be developed when facing spiritual persecution?


In what way does this require personal reflection and judgment?  How does this take place?


What will happen if this doesn’t take place?  Give an example.  How can you apply this truth this week?

September 27, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 4:15-18, 2:20, Matthew 6:25-32


How does Peter’s teaching relate to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew?  What does this imply about suffering?


In what way would this have been a challenging truth for Christians facing persecution?  Be specific.


How does this apply to a spiritually challenging situation you’re currently facing?  What step will you take?

September 26, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 4:14, Isaiah 11:2, Matthew 26:57-68


Describe the different ways Jesus was treated unjustly by the high priest.  Be specific.


How did Jesus respond?  What was the result?  In what way does this relate to 1 Peter 4:14?


What does this imply about being a Christian in today’s world?  How does this help encourage you?

September 25, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 4:12-13,Matthew 5:11-12, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Hebrews 12:2

Based on today’s reading, what central truth is presented?  How does this relate to the return

Christ?

Describe how spiritual persecution can actually be beneficial.  Why can this easily be overlooked?

In what way are you tempted to resist or avoid spiritual persecution?  How can you apply today’s

truth?

September 22, 2018

Read:  2 Timothy 2:22, Matthew 5:8, Psalms 24:3-4, 51:10,119:9, 1 Thess. 4:3-5,7 

How would you assess yourself (privately/personally and publicly) in the area of “purity” (holiness)?

What are some encouragements and challenges to you from these passages regarding your purity? 

Are there some areas in your life that you need to ask God to “purify/cleanse”? How can you take action?

September 21, 2018

Read:  John 3:16-17 & 13:34-35, 1 Cor. 9:22-23, 1 John 3:16, Matt. 9:36, Rom. 12:9-10, 2 Pet 3:9, Phil. 1:27-28a & 4:13, Hebrews 11:1 & 6, Luke 1:37, 2 Cor. 5:7, 1 Cor. 2:5 

How would you assess yourself in reflecting your faith to others in showing them “love” and “faith/trust”? 

What are some encouragements & challenges to you from these passages for reflecting love & faith to others? 

Is there a person (or group of people) that you struggle to show/give “love” to, or to “trust/believe” God to work in?

September 20, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Tim. 4:15-16, Titus 2:12, Eph. 4:1-3, 1 John 1:6-7, Galatians 5:19-26

How would you assess yourself in reflecting your faith to others in the area of “conduct” (your actions)? 

What are some encouragements and challenges to you from these passages regarding your conduct? 

List some actions/behaviors (i.e. anger, pride, fear, humility, sin etc.) in your life that you need God to change

September 19, 2018

Read: Eph. 4:29 & 5:4 & 6:19-20, Col. 4:3-4 & 6, Matt. 12:34b-37, James 3:1-12, Ps. 141:3 

Read 1 Tim. 4:12. How do the 5 areas that Paul tells Timothy to set an example/model relate to you & Point #2? 

How would you assess yourself in reflecting your faith to others through your “speech/words” (tone/attitude)? 

What are some encouragements & challenges to you from these passages regarding your words to others?

September 18, 2018

Read:  Luke 12:8-9, Rom. 1:16, 1 Peter 4:16, Prov. 29:25, Gal. 1:10, 2 Tim. 1:8 & 12, 2:15 

How do all of these passages relate to Point #1? Which of these passages sticks out to you the most, and why? 

What are some common themes from these passages? How would you assess the way you live out Point #1? 

What would you say is your biggest “excuse” for not reflecting your faith to others more often or more boldly?

September 17, 2018

Read: 1 Timothy 4:7b-8, 12, 15-16, Philippians 2:15-16, Romans 10:14-15, 1 Peter 1:5-8, 10 

How do all of these passages relate to the message subtitle? What stood out to you from this week’s message? 

Assess yourself in reflecting your faith to others in these areas (home/neighbors, work/school, friends/strangers). 

From these passages, point out some specific action items for you to apply in reflecting your faith to others.

September 15, 2018

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Philippians 1:6, Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Romans 8:18 

Which of the 3 examples Paul uses from our passage this week (soldier, athlete, farmer) do you best relate with? Why? 

Which Point # do you find the most difficult to live out? Why? What is a common theme from all these passages? 

How has your study this week encouraged and/or challenged you in reflecting your faith to others?

September 14, 2018

Read:  Matthew 9:36-38, Ephesians 5:8-9, Luke 8:16, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Galatians 2:20 

According to these passages, what are some of the examples of how we should view ourselves, & our roles as Christians? 

Who (family, friends, neighbors, etc) have you found it the most difficult to reflect your faith to this week and why? 

Given your study so far this week, is there an area where you have seen victory and/or defeat in reflecting your faith?

September 13, 2018

Read:  2 Timothy 2:6, James 5:7-8, 1 Cor. 15:58, Galatians 6:9-10a, Luke 8:11-15, Phil. 2:13-16 

How do these passages relate to the message subtitle & Point #3? How would you assess yourself based on these? 

List 3 observations regarding the farmer’s life (v. 6 & James 5:7-8) and how these relate to the Christian’s (your) life. 

What is a way or area in your life that you can, or need to, better apply/live out Point #3 as you reflect your faith to others?

September 12, 2018

Read:  2 Timothy 2:5, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:1-3, Philippians 3:12-14, Isaiah 40:29-31 

How do these passages relate to the message subtitle & Point #2? How would you assess yourself based on these? 

List 3 observations regarding the athlete’s life (v. 5 & 1 Cor. 9:24-27) and how these relate to the Christian’s (your) life. 

What is a way or area in your life that you can, or need to, better apply/live out Point #2 as you reflect your faith to others?

September 11, 2018

Read:  2 Timothy 2:1-4, 1:8-9, 1 Peter 3:14-17, Romans 5:3-5, Colossians 3:23-24 

How do these passages relate to the message subtitle & Point #1? How would you assess yourself based on these? 

List 3 observations regarding the soldier’s life (vv. 3-4) and how these relate to the Christian’s (your) life. 

What is a way or area in your life that you can, or need to, better apply/live out Point #1 as you reflect your faith to others?

September 10, 2018

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, 4:2, 4:5, Matthew 5:14-16, 16:24-25, Colossians 1:10-12 

Read the 2 Tim. passages, what are some things God is calling you to do? What aspect of Sunday’s sermon spoke to you? 

Read the Matthew & Colossians passages. 

What are some reminders, costs, rewards, etc. mentioned in these verses

September 8, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:3-8 

Why does God give Christians spiritual gifts? What can happen if the “purpose” is misunderstood? 

In what way can this help provide support for those who are struggling? Be specific. 

How have you been blessed by others using spiritual gifts? What steps will you take to connect at PCC?

September 7, 2018

Read: 1 Peter 4:9, Matthew 10:5-14, Romans 12:13, 1 Timothy 3:2, Hebrews 13:1-2 

How does the Bible define and illustrate “hospitality”? In what way is it different than today’s definition? 

Why is this important for Christians to practice? How does it actually provide spiritual protection? 

What is the connection between church and hospitality? How can you be more biblically hospitable?

September 6, 2018

Read:  1 Peter 4:8, Proverbs 10:12, John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, James 5:19-20 

Explain the meaning of “love covers a multitude of sins”. How does James 5:19 illustrate this truth? 

What does this highlight about staying connected to the local church? Why is this important? 

How can you be more connected at PCC? What practical steps will you take this week?

September 5, 2018

Read:  1 Peter 4:7, Matthew 26:57-75, Mark 14:32-42 

In what way does 1 Peter 4:7 explain a counterintuitive approach when Christianity gets hard? 

How did Peter learn this truth the hard way? Be specific. How can you fall into the same trap? 

Describe your current walk with the Lord. (e.g. close, distant, etc.) How do you need to apply 1 Peter 4:7?

September 4, 2018

Read:  1 Peter 4:7, 3:7, Matthew 26:41-42, Mark 13:35, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Colossians 4:2 

How do you typically respond when you are spiritually struggling? (i.e. drifting from the Lord) 

In what way does 1 Peter 4:7 address this truth? Why is it important to “watch and pray”? 

What does this imply about walking through hard times? Be specific. What is God teaching you?

September 3, 2018

Read:  1 Peter 4:7, Matthew 24:3-14, 36, John 14:1-4, Acts 1:6-7, 1 Corinthians 15:19 

Why did Peter give his audience guidance for effective prayer? What does this imply about their options? 

In what way was he addressing their perspective? Why will this provide them spiritual protection? 

How does today’s reading adjust your perspective? Be specific. How will applying this protect you?

September 1, 2018

Read:  Matthew 28:19-20, Hebrews 10:24-25 

Describe how you’ve approached spiritual growth over the past five years? (i.e. learning versus applying) 

In what way have you lived in community or in isolation? What has been the result? Why? 

What new steps of growth is God prompting you to take? How can a PCC Grow Group help?