d. What difficult things has your commitment to Christ helped you endure? Discussion Questions Small Group Questions “Victory In Christ” Read 1 Peter 3:18-22 1 Peter 3:18-22 2. In verse 18, Peter communicates the gospel message. What four aspects of this one verse sum Previous message summary: Peter tells us how to grow up the gospel message? in our faith and live lives of maturity in Christ. These marks of maturity are: having an eagerness to do good, a a. Does what Jesus did give you assurance that willingness to suffer, a devotion to Christ, a readiness to sin has been dealt with once and for all? Read defend the faith, and a pure conscience. Hebrews 7:23-27, Hebrews 9:12, Romans 6:10. What we learned: Peter challenges us remain faithful to b. Do you have peace in your life because of the Christ in the face of persecution, and the result will be a reality that Jesus lived, died, and rose again to mature faith. However, it will not always be easy. In fact, if overcome sin and death? If so, how does that we want to mature in our faith, it will most likely mean make a difference? suffering for the sake of Christ. But as you suffer, allow the hope of Jesus, that is in you, lead others to ask you c. Is the gospel message something you can why you have so much hope. When they ask, be communicate to people as you live your life? prepared to talk about Jesus. In what ways can you effectively share the message of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and Introduction resurrection? 1. There are many opportunities in life for commitment. 3. What is Peter saying about Jesus in verse 19? It’s required when you have a goal, learn a skill, join When and to whom did he proclaim this message? an organization, and live with a spouse. a. If verse 18 tells us that Jesus was “put to death Commitment makes it possible to hang on through in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” what adversity, setbacks, and disagreements. must we conclude about when Jesus made this Commitment makes it possible to keep going when it proclamation? may be easier to give up. Name something you have committed to in your life. How has your commitment b. When you first read “spirits in prison,” who or helped you weather storms when it may have been what comes to mind? Are these spirits of men easy to give up? or other spirits who have been bound? a. Is it always easy to stick with a commitment? c. Peter talks about angels and authorities and powers in heaven in verse 22. Is Peter b. What has your failure to stay committed to contrasting spirits in prison with spirits in something taught you about commitment? heaven? If so, what would that lead you to c. What does it mean to be committed to Christ? believe about who these spirits are? 4. What message did Jesus proclaim to the spirits in c. How can you live out the real hope of prison? What can we know about this message resurrection as you go about your life this based on the original Greek word (kerysso) for week? proclaim? Is this the same Greek word that is used d. Do you know people who need to know about when talking about someone preaching the gospel the victory of Jesus and the power of (euanglizo)? resurrection in their life? In what way can you a. How did God deal with disobedience in the Old share the gospel with them this week? Testament? Think of Noah and the cities of Challenge: Live your life this week knowing that Jesus Sodom and Gomorrah. really did triumph over sin and death so that you could b. How does God deal with disobedience now? experience salvation. You are loved and valued so much How can a Christian have victory over sin and that God made it possible for you to experience victory the result of sin, which is death? Read 1 and life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Corinthians 15:53-57 & Romans 6:1-5. Action: Think of one person you can share the gospel 5. Peter compares the flood and the salvation of with this week. It does not have to be complicated or Noah’s family to baptism. What does Peter say lengthy. Just talk about the peace and victory that the life, about the meaning of baptism? death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus brings into your life. a. Is baptism the same as a taking a bath? What does Peter say about this idea? Next Steps: b. What commitment does a person make when G I am so thankful for the victory that is available they are baptized? What does it mean to make through Christ Jesus. a pledge/appeal to God? How is this similar to G When asked about following Christ completely, I the commitment of marriage? want my answer to be—“I Do!” c. Where do the power and salvation that Peter G I need to surrender the following to Jesus this week: talks about in baptism really come from? ______. d. How does the resurrection make salvation possible? 6. What main point is Peter trying to communicate with this passage of Scripture? Where does he begin, and where does he end? a. How would a persecuted Christian be encouraged and strengthened by the victory of Jesus over sin and death and their connection to that victory through baptism? b. Does this message encourage you?