Week 9 : Living for What Lasts
Icebreaker: When have you felt a clear purpose and drive in your walk with Christ? What was that like?
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 4:1-6.
1. How have your priorities and values changed as you grow to KNOW Jesus and LIVE like Jesus?
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11.
2. How are clear thinking, self-control, and prayer related?
3. Share about a time God used your gifts to bless others.
Throughout the time of the church, many have placed varying value on gifts. Some say the gift of tongues is the ultimate gift, others say it’s teaching or prophesy. The most important thing to note about gifts is mentioned here in v. 8 as well as by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:3. Love is more important than any spiritual gift and must be the driving factor behind all the gifts. The Spirit empowers us not for our benefit, but the benefit of others. If gifts aren’t motivated by love and for the benefit of the body of Christ, they are empty. Each of us should offer hospitality, not just if we feel we have that gift. We can live for what lasts and have clear purpose in this life when we serve others in love “so that in all things God may be praised” (1 Peter 4:11).
Let’s continue reading in Acts, watching how God taught Peter to use his gifts to serve others in love.
Read Acts chapter 10. There is so much richness in this chapter! First, note that Cornelius knew what it meant to LIVE like Jesus - he faithfully practiced generosity and prayer. God saw what he did in secret and rewarded him. Acts 10 is the gentile version of the Pentecost the Jews experienced in Acts 2. This chapter shows the spread of the gospel to include all people, not just the chosen nation of Israel. To make sure that no one would miss the fact that God has given his Holy Spirit to all people, the gentiles now speak in tongues, just as the Jews did in Acts 2.
4. In this chapter, we see God stretching and growing Peter in his understanding of God’s love, power, and gospel message. How has God been growing you or stretching your understanding of his mission and your purpose?
5. What do you learn about the Holy Spirit in this chapter?
The name of this book “Acts” is short for “Acts of the Apostles.” This title can be misleading, however. Some could argue Peter is the main character of the first half of Acts and Paul (who wasn’t even one of the original apostles) is the main character of the second half. However, as you follow the action of this book you’ll notice a better name would be “The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” It is the Holy Spirit who drives the mission of the church. He speaks through people, leads, guides, and draws people to salvation. The Holy Spirit is the main character, and the apostles play the supporting roles. Peter encounters the Holy Spirit so powerfully in Acts 1-12 that he is able to write the letter of 1 Peter, instructing believers in his day and in ours on how to live for what lasts!
Oh Jesus, we recognize that only what’s done so “God may be praised” will last. We surrender to you. We submit to you. We live our lives to love you and serve others out of love so that they might come to KNOW you too. Only what’s done for you will last. We don’t want our glory, riches, recognition, or fame. You are the star, Jesus. Holy Spirit, you are the power that fuels me to do any of the good that I do in this life. Lord use us to draw others to you. Holy Spirit, speak through us to impact souls for eternity.