Sunday School Lesson June 28, 2020

Subject: The Endurance of Our Hope

The Point: We can endure suffering because of our hope in Christ.

The Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-17

Study The Bible: 1 Peter 3:8-12

1). We are called to love and bless even those who intend evil toward us.

8. Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble,
9. not paying back evil for evil or Insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.
10. For the one who wants to love life and to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,
11. and let him turn away from evil and do what is good. Let him seek peace and pursue it,
12. because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.

Lasting truths from 1 Peter 3:8-12

• Without the love of Christ in our hearts, we cannot love and bless those who mistreat us.
• The point of contention that Peter specifically addressed in not retaliating when other people hurt us.
• The only true way to overcome evil is by doing good.
• We are called to do what is right even when others do not treat us right.

1 Peter 3:13-14

2). Our hope in Christ carries us through any circumstance or suffering.

13. Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good?
14. But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated.

Lasting truths from 1 Peter 3:13-14

• Living in a fallen world, people who are devoted to doing good will encounter evil.
• Righteous people do not fear the future because they are trusting God.
• Rather than become discouraged when we experience suffering for righteousness sake, we ought to count ourselves blessed.
• If our hope in Christ helps us endure unjust suffering, then it can strengthen us when we face other forms of suffering as well.

1 Peter 3:15-17

3). Faithful in suffering is an opportunity to point to the hope we have in Christ.

15. but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
16. Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.
17. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Lasting truths from 1 Peter 3:15-17

• When we are faithful during the suffering that we experience, it creates an opportunity to share with others the source of our hope.
• A witness is someone who simply tells others what he or she has seen and heard.
• When people see us take a respectful stand for the cause of Christ, God will vindicate us in the end.
• It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will than for doing evil.