1. Ready Faith
August 3

2. Think About It …
When have you chosen to endure difficulty for a future benefit?
Most of these “difficulties” we would not classify as “suffering”
Today we look at how to handle suffering
Suffering brings opportunities to point to Jesus

3. Listen for what not to fear.
1 Peter 3:13-14 (NIV) 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."

4. No Harm, No Fear
What did Peter write about suffering for what is right?
How would you answer Peter’s question in verse 13, “Who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good”?
What assurances did Peter give to those who are zealous for that which is good?

5. No Harm, No Fear
So, how could suffering for doing right be a blessing?
Peter said “do not fear what they fear.” What do you suppose “they” fear?
Why is it more important to do right than to fear these things?
When do sufferings and difficulties give us the opportunity to share our faith?

6. Listen for the result of a clear conscience.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV) 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

7. Choice and Opportunity
What is the meaning of “set apart Christ as Lord”?
In what manner were these readers to give the reason for their hope in Christ?
What does it look like to share the gospel with gentleness, respect, and a clear conscience?

8. Choice and Opportunity
Why do you think Peter thought it was important to be ready to be able to respond to inquirers about hope?
What relevance does this have for contemporary believers?
Why are believers to keep a clear conscience?

9. Listen for a result of suffering.
1 Peter 4:1-2 (NLT) 1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.

10. Right Thinking, Right Purpose
What did Peter say about the person who has suffered?
What benefit can there be in suffering?
How do we equip ourselves now to suffer well as Jesus did?

11. Right Thinking, Right Purpose
In what sense do you think “he who suffered in his body is done with sin”? In what different ways could we interpret this verse?
Consider that it was the believer … done with sin because Christ finished taking care of it. What is the result, according to this passage?
What would you suggest to a believer who says the world’s attraction is just too strong?

12. Application Open yourself to God
If you are suffering right now, ask yourself, Is my response to this situation glorifying Christ?
Talk to the Lord, ask Him to show you how best to respond to your situation

13. Application Study Jesus’ response
Make notes about how Jesus responded to suffering
Study latter chapters of the Gospels where Jesus was betrayed, tried, crucified
Consider how (with God’s help) you could imitate Him

14. Application Point others to Jesus
Start praying today for God to use you to point others to Jesus as you suffer or as you help others cope with suffering
Ask Him to make you sensitive to these opportunities

15. Ready Faith
August 3