TEXT: 1 Peter 3:8–17
PREACHER: Pastor Mark Driscoll
DATE: March 29, 2009

People are hurting (emotionally, financially, relationally, mentally); Peter informs Christians how to suffer well.

Three Categories of Suffering:

1. Some suffering is deserved.
2. Some suffering is mysterious.
3. Some suffering is undeserved.

Three Responses to Suffering:

1. Ignore – deny your own suffering, avoid the suffering of others, put a band-aid on it, try to forgive and forget
2. Exalt – suffering becomes your identity; an all-consuming victim mentality that can be used to excuse and overlook sin
3. Outweigh – there are four weights of glory that ultimately outweigh suffering

Discussion Question #1: How heavy is your suffering?

Weight # 1: Suffering Makes Fellowship Actual (1 Pet. 3:8)

• When Christians suffer it causes them to focus on what matters most, which fosters unity of mind (not uniformity).
• Suffering enables Christians to show sympathy and compassion to others.
• Suffering makes love among Christians possible.
• Suffering cultivates tender hearts.
• Suffering cultivates humble minds.

Community Group Question #2: How sweet is your fellowship?

Weight #2: Suffering Makes the Gospel Credible (1 Pet. 3:9–11)

• The natural way to respond to evil is with evil.
• The supernatural (gospel) way to respond to evil is with good.
• At the heart of the gospel is a man dying to love his enemies.
• It takes more courage, strength, and dignity to be like Christ than to instigate further evil.

Community Group Question #3: What is your suffering teaching you about the gospel?

Weight #3: Suffering Makes God’s Love Tangible (1 Peter 3:12–14)

• God sees your life, hears your prayer, opposes your enemies, blesses your suffering, and can remove your fear.
• The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the fear of everything else is the beginning of folly.

Community Group Question #4 What fears does suffering expose?

Weight #4: Suffering Makes Evangelism Possible (1 Pet. 3:15–16)

• Suffer in such a way that you learn about Jesus and that other people may learn about Jesus too.
• Many Christians are good at winning arguments but could care less about winning people. Build respect and trust with people, and answer their questions with humility and honesty.
• People want to see if Christianity works, as demonstrated in relationships and community.
• Suffering allows us to be a humble, loving, considerate, respectful, gentle people that embody the gospel.

Community Group Question #5: Who can you evangelize? How?