Hope Investing in Eternity

1 Peter 4:12-19  & 5:1-14

Introduction

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:19

In this study we conclude with the final words of this letter overflowing with hope. The imagery of this lesson uses “investment” language. The world economies were devastated in a matter of days upon the advent of COVID-19. This week we will explore investing in eternity considering:

• God’s eternal love and investment in us;
• The joy of investing in eternity;
• The threats and tests to our eternal investments;
• Our stewardship of investing in others for eternity.

Checking In

1. Name one person who invested their time and energies in you and specifically impacted your faith. How are their efforts continuing to grow in your life today?

Word:

Read 1 Peter 4:12-19

2. The fiery trials and testing expressed by Peter can be descriptive of both challenging times to faith and/or times that brought clarity and refinement to faith. Be honest and sympathetic with each other as you explore this double-edged question: How has suffering tested your hope?

3. Even in suffering, verse 14 says, “you are blessed.” How has God invested His spirit and His glory in your life? (Be specific drawing from both from the promises of God in the Bible and your personal experiences with His grace.)

4. Share practical ways that you can recall and draw upon from the promises and grace of God when fiery trials come?

5. Read verse 19. How is your hope invested in eternity?

Household Activity (Review)

In last week’s activity you did “PREP for FRANK.” Review last week's activity here. This was an exercise to identify people God may be preparing for you to share the hope that is within you. Share with your group the following from your “prep work” exercise last week:

• Give the first name of one person on your “FRANK” list.

• How do you know them?

• From the PREP exercise, practice sharing one of the PREP exercises you did for homework

 

Household Activity (New)

Read: 1 Peter 5:1-5
  •  How can your household or group specifically show gratitude to a spiritual leader that has impacted this group? Make plan to share an expression of gratitude this week.
  • At the beginning of this study you shared the name of someone who was a spiritual leader or mentor of your faith. Peter calls us now to invest in someone else as their spiritual leader. Look at your FRANK list (or add to it). Who is the person most accessible and open to your spiritual support, care, encouragement, mentoring?
  • Eternal investments are long term commitments. Furthermore, they are not age/experience dependent. Everyone—children or adults, male or female, varied educational and vocational backgrounds—has people that look up to us. God desires that so that we invest in their eternity.
    • What is one step you can take to invest and buy-in deeper to a Christian relationship that invests in their eternity?
    • How will you continue to do this beyond the study?
    • What support or resources would you need from this group, your church or pastor?
Word: Read 1 Peter 5:6-14

Video

St. Paul’s Lutheran (Des Peres) H.I.S. Puppeteers have produced a video puppet show to compliment this study. Youth and adults will enjoy watching it. Before you turn on the video, read aloud 1 Peter 3:15 at the top of this study. Then watch the video here.

  • What was the boy worried about?
  • What worries have been occupying your thoughts this week?
  • How does the devil use anxiety to withdraw, rather than invest in your hope?
  • What gifts and means does God provide for our defense against the devil’s attempts to drain our hope?

Prayer Journal

This week’s prayer journal is about casting our anxieties on God’s shoulders, because he cares for us!

• Start finding all the qualities of God’s big shoulders in 1 Peter 5:6-11 that show him more than capable of carrying our anxious thoughts and problems. Write them in a sentence that where each begins, “My God…” (eg. My God strengthens!)

• Next, write down some of the anxious thoughts that you’ve had this week. They are probably short sentences because the devil is good at throwing them over and over. Some familiar ways they begin, “I can’t…” “I don’t know how…” “It won’t work…” “I missing… “ “I wish I could fix…” “I’m afraid that….”

• Now take your sentences and draw lines to one of the qualities you listed above. Then turn them into investment prayers, putting them on God’s shoulders.

Here’s For example:
o If you found in 1 Peter: “My God strengthens” and
o You worried, “I don’t know how I will finish my work this week.”
o You now can pray: “I don’t know how I will finish my work this week, but my God strengthens!”

Blessing

If you haven’t done so already, make use of the Daily Reading and Reflections provided with this study to help you listen to the Bible more. It will help you grow deeper in your hope, a hope freed to serve.

Close by taking turns using 1 Peter 5:4-11 bless one another. An example of how you can modify it to be a blessing might go like this:

{Name} Jesus is your hope!
Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Now be sober-minded;
Be watchful.
Resist the your enemy the Devil
Stand firm in your faith,
knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced
by all your brothers and sisters in Christ.
May the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
restore,
confirm,
strengthen, and
establish you.
To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen!