Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

1. What’s something that used to make you feel “cool” but now just reminds you how old you are? (Ex: music, slang, fashion, tech, etc.)

    

2. Have you ever traveled somewhere that made you feel completely out of place? What made it feel foreign?

    

3. What’s one area of life right now where you feel like you don’t quite “fit in” as a follower of Jesus?

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

Main Passage:

• 1 Peter 1:1–23 (NLT)

Dig Deeper Scriptures:

Optional verses for those who want to explore more deeply:

1️⃣ Future Focused — 1 Peter 1:3–5

“Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance kept in heaven for you.”

• What does Peter mean by a “living hope”?

   

• How does focusing on our eternal inheritance help us handle temporary problems?

   

• Tony Evans said: “Hope is not wishful thinking; it’s confident expectation rooted in resurrection.”

   

• • What’s the difference between “wishful thinking” and “confident hope”?

Optional Cross-References:

• Philippians 3:20 — Our citizenship is in heaven.

• Romans 8:18 — The present sufferings are not worth comparing to future glory.

2️⃣ Fire Tested — 1 Peter 1:6–9

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.”

• What’s something you’ve learned about God through a difficult season?

   

• Why do you think God allows faith to be tested?

   

• Warren Wiersbe said: “A faith that’s been tested is a faith that can be trusted.”

   

• • How have you seen that truth play out in your life or someone else’s?

Optional Cross-References:

• James 1:2–4 — Trials produce perseverance and maturity.

   

• Daniel 3 — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire.

3️⃣ Faithfully Set Apart & Faithfully Sent — 1 Peter 1:13–15 / John 17:14–19

“Be holy in everything you do… just as God who chose you is holy.”
“Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.”

• What do you think it means to be holy in everyday life?

   

• How can we live differently without becoming distant or judgmental?

   

• Why is holiness connected to being sent into the world?

Optional Cross-References:

• Matthew 5:13–16 — Salt and light in the world.

   

• Romans 12:1–2 — Don’t conform to the world, but be transformed.

Discussion Questions

1. Peter calls believers “foreigners” and “temporary residents.” What helps you remember that this world isn’t your final home?

    

2. What makes it hardest to live like a “foreigner” in our culture?

    

3. When have you seen someone’s faith inspire you because it endured the fire?

    

4. How can our group encourage one another to stay faithful when life feels foreign?

    

5. In what ways can our church look more like “heaven’s citizens” right here in our community?

Action Steps

✅ 1. Live Future Focused:
Write down one promise of God you’ll focus on this week when you’re discouraged.

🔥 2. Stay Fire Tested:
Thank God for a trial you’re walking through and ask Him to refine—not remove—it.

🌍 3. Be Faithfully Set Apart & Sent:
Identify one person in your life who feels spiritually far from God. Pray daily for them this week—and look for a way to show love or share your story.

Closing Prayer

“Father, thank You that even when we feel out of place in this world, we belong to You.
Help us keep our eyes on the future You’ve promised, endure the fires that refine our faith,
and live holy lives that reflect Your love.
Send us into the world as Your people—different but devoted, set apart yet sent out.
May our lives point others home to Jesus.
In His name we pray, Amen.”