Monday, April 28, 2008

You are different

1 Pe 4:1-6
4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, [1] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
Footnotes
[1] 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you
  • What is the "same way of thinking" that you are to arm yourself with?
  • What does "arm yourself" imply?
  • How does suffering in the flesh relate to sin?
  • How does God want you to live your life in the flesh?
  • How much of "what the Gentiles want to do" have you done previously?
  • Why does the changed life of a Christian surprise non-Christians?
  • What friends did you lose when you became a Christian?
  • How different is your life from that of the world?
  • In what ways do/did you suffer for not "pursuing a course" of sin?
  • What assurance and encouragement is there in knowing that God is the judge of all?
  • What is the purpose of the gospel and why is it preached?
  • How does verse 6 indicate the gospel is about more than conversion?
  • When you look at your life in the flesh...
    - how different is it from the world around you?
    - how different is it from living in the spirit according to God's will?

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