Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

• What’s the strangest or most unexpected moment you’ve experienced recently?

   

• Were you ever surprised by suffering—something that hit harder than you expected?

   

• Have you ever felt like you were “in two worlds”—what you see, and what’s happening spiritually behind the scenes?

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

Main Passage:

• 1 Peter 4:12–5:11 (NLT)

Additional Scriptures:

• John 16:33 — “In this world you will have trouble…”

   

• James 1:2–4 — “Count it all joy…”

   

• Ephesians 6:10–18 — The armor of God

   

• Psalm 55:22 — “Cast your cares on the Lord…”

   

• 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 — “Light momentary affliction…”

Discussion Questions

1. STRANGE FIRE — Faithfulness in Suffering (4:12–19)

“Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials… as if something strange were happening to you.”

Discussion:

• Why does Peter tell believers not to be surprised by trials?

   

• What kinds of trials feel “strange” to you right now?

   

• How does knowing suffering connects us to Jesus change the way we walk through difficulty?

   

• Which part of 4:12–19 stands out most to you and why?

Application:

• What’s one area where you need to “keep on doing what is right” even when it’s hard?

2. STRANGE RESPONSE — Humility Instead of Pride (5:5–7)

“Dress yourselves in humility… give all your worries to God, for He cares about you.”

Discussion:

• Why do you think humility is a “strange” response to pressure today?

   

• What worries or burdens are hardest for you to give to God?

   

• How has pride shown up in your life during seasons of stress?

   

• What does it mean practically to humble yourself “under the mighty hand of God”?

   

Application:

• What specific worry do you need to release to God this week?

3. STRANGE ENEMY — Standing Firm Against the Devil (5:8–9)

“Stay alert… your enemy the devil prowls… stand firm.”

Discussion:

• How aware are you of spiritual warfare in daily life?

   

• Where do you feel the enemy attacks the most: your mind, marriage, family, purity, purpose, or peace?

   

• How does verse 9 encourage you—knowing believers worldwide face similar battles?

   

• What does “stand firm” look like practically?

   

Application:

What step can you take to strengthen your faith against spiritual attack this week?

4. THE HOPE — God Himself Will Restore You (5:10–11)

“After you have suffered a little while, God Himself will restore, support, strengthen… and place you on a firm foundation.”

Discussion:

• Which promise of 5:10 means the most to you?

   

• Why is it comforting that God Himself is the one doing the restoring?

   

• How does this eternal promise reshape the way you view temporary suffering?

   

Application:

Where do you need God to restore you right now?

Action Steps

Choose one:

• Release a worry into God’s hands every day using 1 Peter 5:7.

   

• Strengthen your spiritual alertness by setting aside 10 minutes a day for Scripture and prayer.

   

• Practice humility toward a person you normally struggle to be patient with.

   

• Stand firm by saying “no” to a temptation or fear that’s been devouring your peace.

   

• Encourage someone else going through a fiery trial.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You that You never leave us alone in our suffering.
Teach us not to be surprised by trials, but to see them as moments where You refine us.
Give us humility to cast every worry on You, courage to stand firm against the enemy, and faith to trust that You will restore, support, strengthen, and establish us.
Make us a people who live different because Christ is Lord.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.