Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have everyone share one thing they were thankful for in the week.
- Have everyone share one prayer request.
Song (5 Minutes)
Scripture (5 Minutes)
1 Peter 1:3–9 (NLT)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- Peter mentions a "priceless inheritance" waiting for us in heaven. What do you think this inheritance might be? How is it different from stuff we inherit here on Earth?
- Verses 6-7 talk about how sometimes life is hard. When life is hard you have an opportunity to show God's light to the world in the middle of a dark day. What trials have you faced and why are you better because of them?
- We're told to be "truly glad" even when facing trials. How easy or difficult do you find it to be happy when things are going wrong? What helps you stay positive?
- Verse 8 says that Jesus has given inexpressible and glorious joy to all believers. When you go about your day, do people see this joy in and around you? Have you found joy in sharing the love of Jesus with others?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the living hope we have in Jesus. As we wait for Christmas, help us remember our faith is precious. Even when things are hard, let us find joy in Your love. Though we can't see You, we love You. Fill our hearts with happiness as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth.
In the name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.
Thank You for the living hope we have in Jesus. As we wait for Christmas, help us remember our faith is precious. Even when things are hard, let us find joy in Your love. Though we can't see You, we love You. Fill our hearts with happiness as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth.
In the name of Jesus we pray,
Amen.