WEEK 3 : Set Apart, Not Checked Out

Warm-Up Game: Play a couple rounds of “Minute to Win It” games as a family! Examples below!

Did time feel like it flew by during those games? A minute can go by so fast!

This week’s Bible passage in 1 Peter reminds us that our entire lives on Earth are kind of like that… shorter than we think. So, how do we use the time God gives us in a way that truly matters?

Let’s look at how Peter himself lived this out!

Read Acts, Chapter 3

Notice that Peter and John were heading to the temple at a specific time to pray. The very first Christ followers actually stopped what they were doing and prayed three times a day (morning, noon, and afternoon). They also skipped meals sometimes (this is called fasting) on certain days to remember King Jesus and focus more on God then food.

Question 1: Peter made time for prayer a regular part of his day. Do you have regular times when you pray?

In this same chapter (Acts 3), Peter heals a man by the power of the Holy Spirit and then boldly tells the crowd about Jesus again!

Question 2: Talk about a time you told someone about Jesus or shared something you believe. How did it go? If you had the chance again tomorrow, would you feel ready to share?

Family Activity: Take turns! Give each person 3 minutes to share their own story… How did you first get to KNOW Jesus? How has He changed your life? What hope does He give you? Keeping it short helps people actually listen.

Watch this 8 minute video together, "Citizens of Heaven While Residents on Earth" on Right Now Media (everyone in the family can get a free account at mcc.church/groups). Watch it below!

Question 3: What stood out to you from the video?

Read 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Question 4: Look at 1 Peter 2:1! Peter lists things to get rid of, like meanness, jealousy, and lying. How can we actually do that? (Hint: look back at 1 Peter 1:22 for a clue!)

Question 5: Peter talks about "nourishment" like spiritual food that helps us grow. He means things like reading the Bible, going to church, and spending time with other Christ followers. What are you doing to nourish your soul?

Lord, help us LOVE like Jesus and help us be ready to share the hope You've given us. Help us know You so well personally that we can honestly talk about how You've changed our lives. Give us hearts that care about people who don't know You yet and help us truly live like sharing hope in Jesus matters. Make us more like You… loving and good so that through how we treat each other, others would want to know You too. Amen.

Family Challenge: This week set an alarm to go off three times a day. Every time it rings, pause whatever you’re doing and pray for at least one minute (even if it’s just a “thank you God” or “help me Holy Spirit with…” Try also skipping one meal or snack this week and spend that meal time praying for somebody you know who doesn’t yet know Jesus.