Week of November 16, 2025 – Different: Different Because Christ is Lord
Description:
Living with Hope in a Hard World is a 5-week journey through 1 Peter, reminding us that followers of Jesus are called to live differently—with hope, humility, and holiness in a world that often feels like it’s not our home. Peter wrote to believers scattered across a hostile culture, urging them to stand firm in grace and live as God’s chosen people—foreigners with heaven’s values and a future hope. Each week unpacks what it means to have a different faith in trials, different values in culture, different relationships in conflict, a different perspective in suffering, and a different posture under pressure. We’re not called to blend in with the world—we’re called to stand out for Christ.
Small Group Study Guide
Ice Breaker Questions
- When you hear the word Lord, what comes to mind? A feeling? A memory? A responsibility?
- What is one time in your life when following Jesus made you act differently than people expected?
- Who is someone in your life who reflects the heart of Jesus in suffering or service?
Read Together
Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:
Main Passage:
Additional Scriptures:
Discussion Questions
1. SHARE DIFFERENT — Christ in My Speech
1 Peter 3:15–16a (NLT)
“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.”
Quote:
“Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.” — D.T. Niles
Questions:
- Why does Peter connect Lordship with being ready to explain our hope?
- What are some ways we can share Christ “gently and respectfully” in a culture that debates aggressively?
- What is one area of life where Christ being “Lord” has led you to speak differently?
- Today, who in your life might be hungry for the “bread” you’ve found?
2. SUFFER DIFFERENT — Christ in My Pain
1 Peter 3:17 (NLT)
“It is better to suffer for doing good… than for doing wrong.”
1 Peter 4:1–2 (NLT)
“So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had… You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.”
Quote:
“If Christ has borne your worst, He can carry you through the rest.”
Questions:
- Why do you think Peter encourages Christians to “arm themselves” with Jesus’ attitude?
- How does knowing Christ suffered with us and for us change how we respond to our own hardships?
- What’s one situation where you are tempted to suffer “like the world” instead of suffering “like Christ”?
- How can the group pray for you as you walk through that?
3. SERVE DIFFERENT — Christ in My Gifts
1 Peter 4:8, 4:10 (NLT)
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love… for love covers a multitude of sins.”
“God has given each of you a gift… Use them well to serve one another.”
Questions:
- What does “deep love” look like in real relationships — especially difficult ones?
- Peter says everyone has at least one spiritual gift. What’s one you believe God has given you?
- How can your gifts be used this week to serve someone in your family, workplace, or church?
- When has someone used their gifts to bless you?
4. SAVED DIFFERENT — Christ in My Identity
1 Peter 3:21 (NLT)
“Baptism… is a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Questions:
- Peter clarifies that baptism doesn’t save by “removing dirt,” but by pointing to Christ’s resurrection.
How does that reshape your understanding of salvation?
- How does knowing you are saved “different” help you live different?
- What part of your life needs to come under the Lordship of Christ this week?
Action Steps
- Identify one area where Christ needs to be Lord — your speech, your reactions, your service, or your priorities — and surrender it to Him this week.
- Share your hope with one person — gently, respectfully, and naturally.
Look for an opportunity to tell someone what Jesus has done for you.
- Serve someone intentionally using your spiritual gift or natural ability — a meal, encouragement, help, prayer, or generosity.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
We confess today that You are Lord — over our lives, our words, our suffering, our gifts, and our future.
Help us share different, suffer different, and serve different because You have saved us different.
Give us hearts that reflect Your love, courage that reflects Your cross, and lives that shine Your hope.
Make us a people whose difference points directly to You.
Amen.
