Former Embassy elder Ryan Felabom preaches this Sunday (Feb. 26, 2023) on 1 Peter 1:3-5. The passage shows us how even in the readers’ profound grief or suffering, God deserves praise. Ryan teaches us how when we begin to praise God, especially amidst challenges, our eyes will be lifted up to see the fullness of God that removes the enormity of our circumstances.

In just a few verses, Ryan shows us how the text reveals God’s great mercy as the foundation of our praise, how our hope is living because Jesus Christ is alive, and how our assurance of salvation through Jesus comes from God who guards our imperishable inheritance!

Scripture Readings:

• Ephesians 1:3-14 (1st Reading)
• Daniel 12:1-4 (2nd Reading)
• Hebrews 13:20-21 (Benediction)

Discussion Questions:

1. How does this letter and these verses help us under the purpose of how God uses difficulty in our lives?
2. How does this letter help us prepare for the life as a Christian?
3. How does this letter point us to the greatness of God?
4. What is the purpose for why Peter would have people praise God in difficulty?
5. How does Job help us better understand what Peter is saying in 1 Peter?
6. How have you seen God work in your life and other’s lives through praising God in difficulty?
7. How does understanding God’s great mercy impact our intimacy and engagement without God?
8. How does Ezekiel 34 help us understand who God is?
9. How does the knowledge of new life help us understand living hope in Christ?
10. What is biblical hope? How does this impact our lives and interactions with God?
11. How does Romans help us better understand living hope?
12. How does the world’s view of hope differ from the living hope found in God?
13. What does Jesus rising from the dead help us to have living hope?
14. How does it impact us in our daily lives to know that Jesus is alive?
15. How does the inheritance of what we get from God help us to live our daily lives?
16. How does knowing that we are God’s inheritance impact us today?
17. How does our inheritance impact our struggles with sin?
18. How does looking to eternity and the security of our salvation help us with our lives and interactions with God?