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Lesson Notes: 1 Peter 4:12-16
(NIV based)
TITLE: Sharing In Christ's Sufferings
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READ: 1 Peter 4:12-16, with vv.1-4 for context
v.12
As believers, why would we or why do we think it is "surprising" and unusual that we are suffering a painful trial for doing what is godly?
What are our expectations for what we will experience as a believer?
What have we been told we will experience as a believer?
- -
NASB [the best translation] - "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;"
- - "be surprised" =
Strong’s #3579 “be astonished; to be a host (passively, a guest); by implication be (make, appear) strange”.
- - "painful trial" =
Strong’s #4451 “fiery trial; ignition, i.e. (specifically) smelting (figuratively, conflagration, calamity as a test)”.
- - "you are suffering" =
Strong’s #3986 “trial; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity”.
- - "something strange" =
Strong’s #3581 “a surprise; foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer”.
What realities are being implied here about our suffering in painful trials for doing what is godly?
- - Trials are a normal part of life.
- - We are being tested, and our faith is being tested.
- - God has good purposes behind the difficulties within painful trials.
- - God intends to prove or improve our value and character - to purify and strengthen our character, not destroy it.
- - God is allowing or has ordained that we experience each painful trial that comes upon us as a believer.
- - And God is allowing or has ordained that we experience suffering in the midst of each painful trial that comes upon us.
- - Believers are to embrace this reality of life.
- - Expect fiery trials regularly.
- - And therefore, a worldly perspective and response to one's suffering in painful trials is to think that this phenomenon is "strange".
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v.13
Analyze what is being stated and what is being implied in this verse.
How do the findings from your analysis affect your perspective and regard for you suffering in painful trials for doing what is godly?
- - "participate" =
Strong’s #2841 “you share; to share with others (objectively or subjectively)”.
- - "sufferings" =
Strong’s #3804 “sufferings; something undergone, i.e. hardship or pain; subjectively, an emotion or influence”.
- - "overjoyed" =
Strong’s #5463 “you may rejoice; to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well”; AND
Strong’s #0021 “exultingly; properly, to jump for joy, i.e. exult”; 'exult' -
(AHD) “1. To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant. 2. To leap upward, especially for joy.”
- - Joy can be attained in suffering and should be sustained.
- - We are sharing in Christ's sufferings - in union with Him; this is an honor permitted by God.
- - Christ will bring justice in the end that will produce great joy then; "The doctrine of eschatology is often mentioned
(1 Peter 1:4,7,11,13; 2:12; 4:7,13). It is the basis for the appeal to holy living and patiently suffering unjustly, knowing that God will finally establish His kingdom with justice."
(Holman)
- - Godly response to suffering should be joy because we are being blessed by God - both in the present
(v.14) and deferred until "when His glory is revealed".
- - God intends for us to participate in Christ's sufferings.
- - By sharing in Christ's sufferings, those believers will then get to share in Christ's glory.
(see vv.5:1,4)
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v.14
When or how are we "insulted because of the name of Christ", personally and corporately?
Analyze what God says is happening when we successfully endure being "insulted because of the name of Christ".
- - "insulted" =
Strong’s #3679 “you are reviled; to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt.”; 'revile' -
(AHD) “To assail with abusive language”.
- - "blessed" =
Strong’s #3107 “blessed {are you}; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off”.
- - "rests" =
Strong’s #0373 “rests; (reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively [be exempt], remain); by implication, to refresh”; 'repose' -
(AHD) “1. The act of resting or the state of being at rest. 2. Freedom from worry; peace of mind. 3. Calmness; tranquility”.
- - Suffering for righteousness indicates God is working in your life - His presence in unusual fullness.
- - Enduring insults and persecution for Christ brings blessing from God - comfort, His message is being heard.
- - God's Spirit and power will strengthen and assist you during persecution.
- - Camouflage Christians avoid suffering persecution and thereby miss out on the blessings.
- - Sharing in Christ's suffering qualifies that believer to share in Christ's glory.
(vv.13-14)
Do you take this spiritual perspective when you are "insulted because of the name of Christ"?
If not, why not?
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v.15
What spiritual dynamics would you expect to occur if you, as a believer, respond in an ungodly or worldly manner to insults because of the name of Christ?
- - "suffer" =
Strong’s #3958 “let suffer; to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)”.
- - We should not engage in evil-doing and thereupon claim we are suffering unjustly - our actions warrant such suffering.
- - Some suffering is self-inflicted.
- - God's presence in unusual fullness does not necessarily occur or accompany suffering for criminal behavior.
- - When we live or respond in a worldly or ungodly manner to religious insults, we miss out on the rejoicing
(v.13), the over-joy
(v.13), the blessings from God
(v.14), the Spirit of God "resting on" us
(v.14), the approval of God
(v.15), and the positive and effective witness for God and potential spiritual impact upon observers
(v.15).
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v.16
How common is it today to "suffer as a Christian", a true believer in Jesus Christ?
In your neighborhood? In your state or province? In your country?
Why should we believers "not be ashamed" of our faith in Christ?
- - Hint: see Romans 1:16.
What does it mean to "bear that name"? On a practical level, day-to-day in life?
How do we do that?
- - "bear that name" [the best translation
KJV "on this behalf"] =
Strong’s #3313 “portion; a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)”; AND =
Strong’s #5129 “this; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)”.
What is being implied about bearing the name of Christ?
- - God expects believers to openly let show their faith in Christ.
- - God expects believers to openly proclaim to those unbelieving people around us their need for faith in Christ, thus it may result in persecution and suffering being inflicted upon us.
- - It is noble and admirable to suffer on behalf of the Christian cause.
- - God deserves the glory when we suffer for His kingdom. Why?
- - Peter exhorts us to avoid the major failure he made in denying Christ.
(See Mark 14:66-72; cf. Matthew 26:69-75, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-18,25-27)
What is our natural tendency in regard to doing things that might incite religious persecution?
What does the world say we should do in regard to proclaiming to them our religious views?
And what does God say in this passage about us believers doing things that might incite religious persecution upon us?
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BIG IDEA: God finds it of great value when we believers suffer because of identifying with Christ.
Therefore, our reaction to personally experiencing religious persecution should be
joy.
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IMPORTANT SUB-POINTS: What are some other important points God is making here in these verses?
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APPLICATIONS: What applications can you think of for how we should respond to the concepts in these verses?
PERSONALIZED APPLICATIONS: From these verses, what do you think God wants
you to learn, or know, or remember, or put into effect in your life?
How are you going to do that?
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Works Cited:
The American Heritage Dictionary. 3rd ed., ver. 3.6a (CD-ROM). Cambridge, MA: SoftKey International Inc., 1994.
Bible. The Comparative Study Bible: A Parallel Bible Presenting New International Version, New American Standard Bible,
Amplified Bible, King James Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
Holman Bible Dictionary.
Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library
CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
“Strong's Greek Dictionary.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
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Copyrights:
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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File name: 1Peter4_12-16-Lesson.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV, quoted or referred to in various places within this document
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated: January 4, 2017
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