Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: March 20, 2011
Sermon Title: Finding The Harmony
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3:7
Small Group Text: I Peter 2
Introduction
Discussion
We are social by nature. We are seldom by ourselves. It is our nature to do almost everything in groups—families, cliques, clubs, fraternities, and groups of friends. A good and healthy relationship with God leads to a good relationship with the body of believers, which leads to a good relationship with others outside the faith. If you’ve ever had a broken relationship with someone, whether at work, home or church— what caused it? What do you think is the cause for broken relationships? What effect do these broken relationships have on others? Read 1 Peter 1:22-3:7 1. What is a good test to see if a Christ-follower has really experienced heart change through Jesus Christ (1:22)? 2. What does it mean to "love one another deeply from the heart"? What would this look like in a group of believers? 3. How might the five inner sins of 2:1 damage outer relationships with other believers? When have you seen this kind of damage? 4. What is God actively doing in 2:5? How do the living stones work together? 5. In 2:9, we (the Church) are called a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. What does the plural nature of these pictures imply for the Church? 6. According to 1 Peter 2:12 what could happen if we live God-honoring lives? 7. What happens in us as we voluntarily submit to authority and to each other? How does this contribute to harmony and unity? (2:133:7)
Application
1. Which of the inner sins named in verse 2:1 do you find most challenging? What would be different in your life if you could overcome this challenging “inner sin?” 2. “My part of our job” speaks to your place in the Body of Christ. What role do you play as a “priest” in the royal priesthood? (2:9) 3. Read John 13:35. How would you evaluate the relational harmony in our church? 4. How will you tangibly promote love and relational harmony in our Church this week?
Sermon-Based Curriculum