Water Baptism

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)

15 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. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

1. Set Christ as the center.

2. Be ready.

3. Guard your tone.

SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Live a hope people notice, and be ready when they ask why.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read 1 Peter 3:15-16. If someone were to ask you about the hope you have in our chaotic world, what are some thoughts you would share with this person?

▶ Read 1 Peter 3:16. How does keeping “your conscience clear” impact what people are seeing in your life? How does a clear conscience prepare you to give a confident answer when asked about the hope you have in Jesus?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.

There is a spiritual tension surrounding the sharing of the Good News of Jesus when the opportunity presents itself. What are some ways you would navigate this tension and communicate the Good News in a spirit of gentleness?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Have each person in the group pray for the person to their right, asking God to prepare that person with gentleness, discernment, and encouragement as they share the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection.