NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Discussion Question: What does it look like to be joyful even when you don’t feel like it?
Food for Thought:
We respond to difficulties and suffering in a variety of ways. Some of us respond with anger, dogged determination to fight it, or passive resignation. Others respond with introspection or by asking, “Why me?” But who responds with joy? Yet joy is the very attitude the Bible calls us to embrace. Even in the face of unjust suffering, we can rejoice in Christ.
This week’s session is part of a six-week study of 1 Peter called “Resilient Faith: Standing Strong in the Midst of Suffering.” In this installment, “Joyful Faith,” we focus on one principle gleaned from the text. That is, we can choose joy even in life’s difficulties. Peter was writing to believers who faced persecution. Rather than allowing such treatment to take them by surprise or to seem unusual to them, Peter emphasized for these Christians that suffering for their faith in Christ presented them an opportunity for rejoicing. It also presented them with reason and opportunity to glorify God for allowing them to bear the name “Christian.”
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life is a family of resources that addresses key issues in the lives of adults, students and kids.
Visit www.biblestudiesforlife.com and use it to help you “Connect the Unconnected, Strengthen Families, and Disciple People With Wisdom.” Free session downloads are available, plus PDFs and videos that accompany this Bible study resource.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.
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