WEEK 7 : Passionate Peacemakers

Icebreaker: Share in a minute or less each: Who is the most peaceful person you know and what makes them that way?

Pray: Holy Spirit, would you speak to us and teach us today, helping us to surrender our will and forming us to be like Jesus.

Read 1 Peter 3:8-12.

1. What added insight does v. 8 give into last week’s passage (the beginning of chapter 3)?

2. Look at v. 10. How much attention do you pay to the words you use?

3. Look at v. 11. What does it mean to pursue peace in your life? Describe a situation where you might need to work harder to pursue peace.

4. Why does it matter how we live around those who do not know Jesus?

How we treat others matters. We are called to treat our spouse with love, respect, and mutual submission. We are to treat brothers and sisters in Christ with compassion and humility. We are to pursue peace with those who believe differently than we do for the sake of the gospel! It is only through love, gentleness, kindness (do you recognize these as fruits of the Spirit?) that others will be open and receptive to the gospel.

Let’s look at how the gospel continues to spread in Acts.

Read Acts 8:1-7.

5. How are the people treated and what is their response?

Read Acts 8:26-40.

6. How important is it that Philip listened to the Holy Spirit (v.29)? How do you listen to the Spirit?

The Holy Spirit was drawing the Ethiopian’s heart to Jesus, but he used Philip to help lead him to saving faith.

7. Share about a time God used you to help someone come to faith in Christ. If that hasn’t happened, pray that God would send opportunities this week. We must be more intentional about sharing the gospel!

Verse 35 says that Philip told him the “good news” about Jesus (remember, this is the definition of “gospel”), and in v. 40, Philip continues to preach the gospel wherever he goes.

8. How would you describe the gospel in 2 minutes or less?

9. How can following Peter’s instructions in 1 Peter 3:8-12 help others be more open to receiving the gospel?

Lord, help us to be passionate peacemakers. Help us to love well, be compassionate and humble, and bless those who treat us wrongly. Keep our tongue from evil and our lips from lies. We want to turn from evil and do good. We commit to seeking peace and pursuing it! Thank you, Lord, that your ears are attentive to our prayers. Please empower us this week, and Holy Spirit, speak through us to share the gospel in love. Amen.