“The 5 Star Life”
1. Harmony
2. Sympathy
3. Love
4. Compassionate
5. Humility

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time

I need to be baptized
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/small-groups

I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

Dig Deeper:
1. Read 1 Peter 3:8-18. What initially stands out to you in this passage?
2. Have you ever left a review online? Have you ever used 5 stars to rate a company? If so, why did they deserve 5 stars?
3. Have you ever used a review to make a decision about a company? After you went, did you agree or disagree with other reviews you read? Why do we look for reviews for feedback?
4. Looking at the “Five Star Life,” why do you think harmony and humility are together? How about sympathy and compassion? Why is love on its own?
5. Why is unity the goal of a “Five Star Life”? Why is unity in a church body so important?
6. Have you ever seen a child react when someone wrongs him/her? What is their initial reaction?
7. Aside from our flesh/sin nature response, how is loving those who wrong us counter-cultural?
8. Bless means “to ask for the bestowal (delivery) of special favor, especially of calling down God’s gracious power.” God blesses others through us. What ways have you seen someone else be a blessing to another?
9. Have you ever witnessed someone blessing another person who has wronged them? Describe what took place.
10. Warren Wiersbe says, “It is not enough for us to avoid sin because it is wrong; we ought to shun it because we hate it!” How do we get to a mindset where we hate sin?
11. How does knowing that your suffering is short term in light of eternity help you through it?
12. Describe a time when you have allowed fear or uncertainty to take over your thoughts when it comes to suffering. Read verse 15. Why is so important to be reminded to “regard Christ the Lord as holy”?
13. Read verses 15-17. How are we to defend our hope in Christ? Why is how we do it so important?
14. Describe a time when you’ve seen someone share their faith without using gentleness and respect. How did that make a difference?
15. Why is developing a relationship with someone important to sharing your hope with them (even if you’ve just met them)?
16. How is it freeing to know that God is ultimately in charge when it comes to what has been shared in this passage (loving those who harm you, enduring suffering, and sharing your hope with others)?

Live It Out:
1. Bless others: List out one, two, or even three people that you can bless this week by sharing that you will be praying for them or through an act of kindness. Keep in mind those that don’t automatically come to mind.

2. Enduring suffering: Identify a way in which you have experienced suffering because of your faith. While it may be difficult, journal ways that you can thank God for your suffering. Then, pray to Him and share with Him your thoughts. Ask Him to lead you through the suffering as you regard Him as holy.

3. Make Jesus your Savior and your Lord: Allow Christ to reign supreme in all areas of your life. Identify any area of your life that is not surrendered to Him. Repent to God and ask Him to be over all areas of your life.

4. The hope that is in you: The goal is that the hope of eternity in you is so evident that an unbeliever will ask for an explanation. How are you exhibiting your hope in Christ on a daily basis so that it is evident to others?

Reading Plan:
Monday: 1 Peter 3:8-22
Tuesday: Matthew 5:43-48
Wednesday: Romans 12
Thursday: Corinthians 4
Friday: Galatians 6:1-10
Saturday: Acts 8:26-40

Recommended Resources:
“1-2 Peter: An Expositional Commentary” by R.C. Sproul

“1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ” by Jen Wilkin