Immanuel Church

Sing “Joy to the World” Read Psalm 98 1. Why do people love the song Joy to the World so much? What about the song speaks to your heart and soul? 2. Have you ever realized before that it is primarily a song not about Christmas, the first Advent, but about Christ’s return, the second Advent? 3. Why is the second Advent such a joyful occasion for nature and for people? Will it be for all people? 4....

Sing, O Come O Come Emmanuel 1. May this time together be more of a time of testimony of God’s faithfulness. 2. Emmanuel means “God with us.” Emmanuel came to dwell with us and to rescue us from sin and death. How did God defeat sin and death? How have you experienced “God with us” or this freedom from sin and death in your life? 3. Day-spring refers to the dawning of a new day, where darkness fle...

No small group questions this week. 

1. What questions/observations come from today's message on I Peter 5:10-14? 2. What is your typical response and reaction to times of suffering? On who or what do you focus? How does Peter's description that suffering is for "a little while" impact how you think about suffering or how you should think about it? 3. In verse 10, Peter assures us that God is actively working on our behalf to strengt...

Read 1 Peter 5:5-9 1. All of Peter’s commands here are in the context of living well through suffering or adversity. What commands does he give to help us live well in adversity? What do you think about these commands in light of adversity? How do they help prepare us to walk faithfully in adversity? 2. In 5:5b, Peter talks about people “clothing themselves with humility.” The word translated “clo...

1. In these four verses, Peter gives some direct teaching toward “elders” in the church. What is an Elder? (also read 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Acts 20:13-38) 2. Why do you think he addresses elder here in this passage? What do good Elders have to do with remaining faithful and rejoicing in the midst of suffering? 3. According to 1 Peter 5:1-4, what are some of the characteristics of a good El...

If we are to be prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ. What can you be doing now, so that when “fiery trials” come, you are prepared to stand firm in your faith and suffer well? 2. Why shouldn’t believers suffer as murderers, thieves, evildoers, or even meddlers? Why do you think Peter includes meddling in this list? How easy is it to be a meddler and think it is a good thing? 3. How might one...

1. In verse 7 Peter tells his readers, “The end of all things is at hand”. Why is Peter’s instruction necessary for us? Do you give much thought to the return of Christ? What impact (if any) is this truth having on how you live? 2. How do hard and painful times impact your thinking? What specific passages of Scripture do you utilize to see God and your circumstances rightly? Is there thinking that...

1. In 4:1, Peter encourages us to “arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” as Jesus Christ who “suffered in the flesh.” In your own words, what does it mean for a Christian to “arm themselves with Jesus way of thinking”? What is Jesus way of thinking? 2. How do you understand the phrase “whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”? How has suffering helped you mortify sin? 3. Vers...

1. How is the gospel summed up in verse 18? 2. Christ the righteous, suffered for you, the unrighteous. How does this affect your attitude toward those you deem “unrighteous”? How does that affect your behavior and speech towards those you deem “unrighteous”? 3. Since Christ suffered once for you, and you now have a magnificent standing before God, how does this change your daily relationship with...

1. If we live the beautiful, honorable life Peter has been urging us to live thus far in the letter, what kind of response does Peter suggest in this passage we might get from the world around us? 2. Are you able to see yourself as blessed, even if you suffer for Christ? Are you able to see yourself favored and accepted by God in even the suffering? Do you cherish God’s feelings towards you even m...

Exploring 1 Peter 3, Alyn Goossen discusses marriage as a gospel covenant, highlighting biblical submission, inner beauty, and godliness in distinct yet equal roles. Recorded on September 15, 2024 at Immanuel Church.

Pastor Russ Miller delivered a powerful sermon at Immanuel Church, focusing on the profound messages in 1 Peter 2:18-25. As we gathered to explore the theme of suffering and its role in our spiritual journey, Pastor Russ reminded us of the transformative power of enduring hardships with faith and grace. Below, you'll find a bullet point list of key takeaways from this impactful message: Christ-lik...

Read 1 Peter 2:13-17 1. What authority have you been under (or are you currently under) that has been difficult for you to trust and follow? Why (please be respectful)? Also read Romans 13:1-7 and Mark 12: 13-17 2. Using the passage from Peter, Romans, and from Mark, what are some principles you can derive related to being citizens of a holy nation while also being good citizens in an unholy natio...

1. Why does Peter refer to believers as sojourners and exiles? 2. What does he mean by the ‘passions of the flesh’? Give some examples? Why should we abstain from them? 3. When have you felt that you were at war with passions? 4. Why is it so hard to abstain from these sinful passions? 5. Why is it crucial that Christians lead a holy, or set apart life, in the midst of a fallen world? 6. Practical...

Read 1 Peter 2:9-10 1. Who are you? Where do you most look to find your identity? I am... 2. 1 Peter 2:9 lists four truths about the identity of Christ-followers: we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God. How does each of these descriptions shape the way you view God? The way you view yourself? Examine your life. 3. Do you believe that you are chosen...

Read 1 Peter 2:4-10 1. Read verses 4-5. What does “As you come to him” imply? 2. What does Jesus’ name “living Stone” tell us about him? How is Jesus a living stone? What is His role in the “spiritual house” that God is building? 3. Why do you think Peter describes Jesus as “rejected by humans but chosen by God”? 4. In what sense are those who come to Jesus “living stones,” and how does God use th...

Read 1 Peter 2:1-3 1. What is the pure spiritual milk that’s referred to in 2:2? 2. What is the connection between being born again (1:23) and longing for pure spiritual milk? 3. What does it mean to ‘grow up into salvation’? 4. According to the Bible, what are some of the marks of spiritual maturity? 5. The main idea of this passage is the command to ‘long for pure spiritual milk’. How strong is...

Read 1 Peter 1:22-25 1. What are the defining marks of biblical love? (there are 4 listed in v22; also see Romans 12:9-21) 2. According to this passage, why is it possible for our lives to be marked by such a radical love? 3. How are our souls purified? 4. What does it mean to be born again? 5. If genuine, brotherly, self-sacrificing, earnest love is to be the defining mark of believers, how would...

1. How is God your Father? How is he your Judge? Which one is easier for you to live in the reality of? What are the consequences of focusing on one more than the other? How does keeping these in balance, draw us to reverent worship rather than give us permission to live carelessly? 2. In what ways does God as an impartial judge hold His children accountable? 3. What do we mean when we say that th...

Read 1 Peter 1:13-16 1. How do the cares, trials, and difficulties of this life distract you in your relationship with God and from living out your faith? 2. Where do you fix your hope when life is challenging? Where do you turn for relief? 3. How could you focus more on the return of Christ? What passages will your turn to? What truths will you celebrate? (Be specific) 4. What does your holiness...

1. What do you rejoice about regularly in your life? 2. How specifically are we more privileged than the prophets? Why is that such a surprising thing for Peter to point out? How should this truth affect our attitude in the middle of trials? 3. Just as the prophets were “inquiring,” meaning that they were exerting considerable effort and care in learning something, what do you exert considerable e...