VICTORIOUS FAITH SESSION 6
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SESSION 6
VICTORIOUS The Point
FAITH
God will strengthen and restore me.
The Bible Meets Life
We like the stories of individuals who started
with little, and through their own discipline
and determination accomplish great things.
These may be good examples for sports or
business, but they fall short when it comes to
our personal lives. Fortunately, when facing
difficulties and opposition, we are not left
alone. The Bible shows us what happens when
we drop the self-made approach to faith and
rely on God. We can be victorious because
Christ has already won the victory.
The Passage
1 Peter 5:6-11
136 SESSION 6
© 2014 LifeWayWHAT DOES
THE BIBLE SAY?
1 Peter 5:6-11
6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may
lift you up in due time.
7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family
of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of
sufferings.
10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, The Setting
after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make
you strong, firm and steadfast. As Peter drew to the close of
his letter, he knew he couldn’t
11
To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. lead each Christian through
whatever circumstances came.
But God had provided elders
to shepherd the local believers
through the turmoil. Specifically,
these Christ-followers were to
submit themselves to God, cast
the cares of persecution upon
Him, stay alert to Satan’s efforts
to destroy their faith, and resist
Satan. Anything less would allow
persecution to win.
BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 137
© 2014 LifeWayENGAGE
(15 MINUTES)
GET INTO THE STUDY
ENGAGE: Begin the session with one or more of the Engage Options on the
next page. (This is optional. If you’d rather skip the Engage Options, just begin
with the first discussion question.)
SAY: When things go wrong, how should you respond? Maybe you made a
bad decision. Maybe you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time. No
matter what happens, God is waiting to restore and strengthen you.
DISCUSS: Have students discuss the question, “What’s the worst way you
could handle a bad situation?”
GUIDE: Call attention to The Point. Explain that this is the key idea to keep in
mind throughout the session.
THE POINT
ITEM
14 God will strengthen and restore me.
Leader Pack: Direct
students to the
Ronald Reagan Quote READ: Read and summarize The Bible Meets Life for your group.
poster and have a
brief discussion of When you’re feeling down and could use some encouragement, clichés are
the quote to begin probably the last thing you want to hear.
the session.
YY “Hang in there.”
YY “Roll with the punches.”
YY “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Many people like clichés and easy answers because they don’t require
much effort. But when you’re on the receiving end, such “advice” doesn’t
help. Most of us are wrestling with questions that go much deeper: “Will
this ever end?” “Is a greater purpose behind what I’m experiencing?”
“Where is God in all this?”
In the Book of 1 Peter, the apostle didn’t give us any easy answers. Instead,
Peter offered us a fuller perspective—he showed us a way to deal with our
difficulties that goes far beyond tired clichés.
PRAY: Transition into the session by asking God to help students understand
that God is the source of strength and restoration.
138 SESSION 6
© 2014 LifeWayEngage Options
YY Lead with Action
Play a game in which students must choose between two people presenting
OPTION: Set the
opposite solutions to a question. Prior to the session, ask a couple of
meeting space up to
adult leaders to help host the game. They are to present their answer to a
be similar to Trust Me,
question as if it is the right one even if it isn’t. The goal is to get the students
I’m a Game Show Host
to choose them for their answer to trivia questions. Begin the session by
show on television.
asking for a couple of student volunteers to play a game. Ask trivia questions
Allow several students
and then let the adults argue for their answer. (You will need to present the
to play and award
correct and incorrect response to the adults beforehand.) Let students pick
a prize if you’d like,
who they agree with then reveal whether or not they trusted the right one.
such as donuts or
(You can find trivia questions on the Internet or in board games you may
something similar.
have around the house).
Conclude the activity by saying, “Victory in this game is determined
by who you are placing your trust in. Let’s take a look at how we can
experience victorious faith with trust placed in God for strength
and restoration.”
YY Lead with Atmosphere
Prior to meeting, draw a scale from 1 to 10 on a whiteboard, chalkboard, or
on poster board. Make sure the numbers are visibly 1 through 10. As students OPTION: Use a live
enter the group give them an index card or sticky note that says “Faith” on it. performance of the
Have them place their card on the scale based on how difficult they think it is song “In Christ Alone”
to have faith in God. from one of the many
Begin the session by saying, “It’s not always easy to have faith God but artists who have
He is the one who empowers our faith, strengthening us and restoring performed it. Ensure
us to have spiritual victory in life.” that whichever version
you use will be clear
enough for students to
understand the words
YY Lead with Media for the discussion.
Search the web for Owl City performing “In Christ Alone” with lyrics. Show
students the video and ask them to focus on what the lyrics say as they watch.
Once the video is over discuss the following question with the group and
then transition into the session once the discussion is over: “What is the
message of that song, and how does it apply to your life?”
BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 139
© 2014 LifeWayIMPART
(10 MINUTES)
STUDY THE BIBLE
The Point: God will strengthen and restore me.
6
Humble yourselves, 1 PETER 5:6-7
therefore, under God’s DISCUSS: Lead students to discuss the question, “What’s the danger of
mighty hand, that he may trying to handle things on your own without God?”
lift you up in due time.
7
Cast all your anxiety
GUIDE: Lead students to understand how worry is based in our trust of
on him because he
self over God.
cares for you. I tend to get worked up over situations I’m trying to handle myself. I’m a
—1 PETER 5:6-7 perfectionist, which means:
YY I tend to quit before I even get started because I worry about the
end result.
YY I won’t ask for help because nobody does it like I will.
YY I know I won’t be able to do it perfectly, so I don’t do anything at all.
Those excuses may sound like worry, but they are really a form of pride.
When we worry, we are trying to fix things ourselves. We do not trust the
sovereign Creator God to deal rightly with our situation. I profess a God
who can create the universe, who died on the cross for my sins, and who
rose from the dead to redeem me and the whole of His creation; and yet I
still hesitate to trust Him.
READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read the following:
Verse 6 calls me to humble myself and allow God to exalt me in the
proper time. God is the only One who can rightly raise me up. Why?
Because He is perfect in all His ways—even in His dealing with me.
Verse 7 is a well-known passage in the church. Peter’s words give us great
encouragement. You are not an insignificant speck in a vast universe. The
Creator God cares for you right now, wherever you are in life. God invites you
to throw everything on Him and trust the Perfect Caregiver to care for you.
DO: Have students complete the Action Point, “Excuses.”
Excuses
List your most common excuses to the following situations. After you are
finished, discuss your answers with the group.
Your parents call you out for not doing your chores, you are late for class or
work, you get caught telling others about a private conversation with a friend.
140 SESSION 6
© 2014 LifeWayCommentary
1 PETER 5:6-7
Peter began his exhortation to the suffering Christians by asking them to
humble themselves. Peter had already explained that persecution comes to
faithful Christians and is sometimes a part of God’s will for them (1 Pet. 3:17).
He also had reminded them not to be surprised when they faced suffering, TIP: Ensure
because it is a normal part of the Christian’s experience (4:12). Peter explained that students
that trials came as God’s purifying judgment in their lives, reminding them of a know God is
special future and affording them an opportunity to witness to those who did with them in
not believe in Him (4:17-19). To humble oneself included submission to the will their struggles
of God even when that included pain and suffering. even when He
is the one who
Some people assign all life’s difficulties to the Devil, but Peter encouraged
is allowing
them that difficulties can come into a Christian’s life through God’s will.
the trial.
The Old Testament shows the hand of God in both discipline (Ex. 3:19; 6:1;
Job 30:21; Ps. 32:4) and deliverance (Deut. 9:26; Ezek. 20:34). Why should
Christians humble themselves and accept what comes from the hand of
God? Peter gave the answer in the latter part of verse 6. Christians humble
themselves so that God may exalt them at the proper time. God promised to
lift up those whom others tore down because of their faith. Though trials are
tough, for Christians they are also temporary. The promise of exaltation does
not have a specific time assigned to it. God promised to exalt Christians, but
only at the time of His choosing.
Although God may reserve His exaltation until the end, He does not wait until
then to support His people as they endure difficult circumstances. Peter used
an expression from the Old Testament that encouraged God’s people to cast
their burdens upon Him (Ps. 55:22). The language reflects a one-time, decisive
event. Certainly we have to continually cast our cares upon the Lord, but still we
must have a pivotal moment when that happens. Worry, burdens, and anxiety
distract us from God’s care and concern for us if we excessively focus on them. TIP: Remind students
Rather than holding to our cares, we should release them to the Lord by faith. that we cast our cares
on God knowing that
The reason we should cast our cares upon Him is that He cares for us. God is
He cares so much for us
neither apathetic nor sadistic. He doesn’t sit idly by as His people suffer. God is
that He gave His Son as
actively involved in removing suffering and restoring the believer to the place
a sacrifice for our sin.
he or she should be as His children. Sometimes this happens instantly in the life
of the sufferer, and sometimes it happens ultimately when the Christian dies
and stands before God in eternity. Whether the time of God’s rescue is long or
short, the Christian should have no reason to question His concern.
BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 141
© 2014 LifeWayIMPART
(10 MINUTES)
STUDY THE BIBLE
The Point: God will strengthen and restore me.
8
Be alert and of sober 1 PETER 5:8-9
mind. Your enemy the DISCUSS: Lead students to discuss the question, “What does it really mean to
devil prowls around like humble yourself?
a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. 9 Resist SUMMARIZE: Summarize the story of Anna and Neil and how they chose
him, standing firm in the humility and served in the midst of a tough circumstance:
faith, because you know A friend of mine, Neil and his wife, Anna, lost their baby girl only nine
that the family of believers days after she was born. A darkness came on Anna that she described as
throughout the world is the deepest pain she’d ever known. She didn’t know how to move on. Neil
undergoing the same kind began to gently remind her of the truths they had studied together about
of sufferings. God and the reality of this world. One of those truths was that suffering
—1 PETER 5:8-9 was not unique to them. People all over the world experience the pain
of death. Anna began to remember that death, suffering, and pain will
come to everyone. She began to have great compassion for those in her
church who were suffering from all sorts of evils: child abuse, chronic pain,
cancer, and more.
Anna’s compassion for the suffering of others helped her to move through
her own time of grief. She realized, as Peter states, that our suffering is
a fellowship all believers share across the world; it is not exclusive to us
individually.
Anna also found that, as she suffered, it helped to remind her of the truths
she had already learned: to be serious, alert, and have a sound mind that
is ready for action, as Peter stated. In order to handle the attacks of the
evil one who seeks to devour you, develop self-control that focuses on the
truths of God. The enemy is not going to leave you alone because you are
vulnerable; in fact, that is when he is most likely to attack.
GUIDE: Lead students to understand how Peter tells us how to resist Satan:
YY Know what you believe and why you believe it.
YY Continue to learn about God and the truths He has revealed to us.
YY Stand on these truths of the faith.
Knowing your beliefs will help you apply them when you need to stand firm
against an attack.
142 SESSION 6
© 2014 LifeWayCommentary
1 PETER 5:8-9
Though Peter encouraged Christians to cast their cares upon the Lord, he did TIP: When sharing
not imply their work was finished. He encouraged them to resist Satan and stories like Neil
remain firm in the midst of their suffering. He began with two commands and Anna’s
designed to wake them from any slumber they might have been experiencing. allow students
First, he told them to have a spiritual sobriety, remaining clear-minded in the to discuss and
face of an impending danger. comment in
response. Turn
Second, he told them to be aware of Jesus’ return. This word in the New
the story into a
Testament exhorted preparedness for the Jesus’ return (Matt. 24:42-44; 25:13;
teaching moment.
Mark 13:35,37; Rev. 3:3; 16:15) and to diligence in steering clear of moral or
doctrinal lapses (Matt. 26:41; Mark 14:38; Acts 20:31; 1 Thess. 5:6). Even if
suffering Christians have cast their cares upon the Lord, they still need to
remain alert and vigilant to make sure they do not fall prey to a surprise attack
from the enemy.
Christians need to remain alert because they have an adversary. This enemy
was not a force or an idea but a person. Peter identified him as the Devil. Peter
created a word picture to demonstrate the enemy’s commitment to destroying
people. He described him as a roaring lion prowling around seeking its prey.
Like a lion who crouches in the weeds and pounces on its prey, the Devil is
looking for those whom he can devour.
Peter suggested two definite actions against the enemy. First, he pleaded for
Christians to resist him. This represents active opposition. The closest usage to TIP: Encourage
this passage is James 4:7. For Christians, Satan can roar and prowl all he wants, students to explain
but believers are told to resist his lies and accusations. Peter also called upon how they can put
Christians to remain firm in the faith. The best chance of resisting the Devil is for the strategy for
Christians to remain steadfast in the faith, firmly and confidently maintaining resisting the Devil
trust in God, in His sovereignty, in His power, and in His love. Christians take into practice. Help
their stand against the Devil by holding fast to God and not compromising them understand
their faith. how to live it out.
Peter reminded them that as they stood firm in the faith, they would share in
the same sufferings as other Christians throughout the world. One thing New
Testament Christians had in common was suffering for the cause of Christ.
Scattered throughout the world, Christians continue to face opposition from
those who do not embrace the truths of the gospel.
BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 143
© 2014 LifeWayIMPART
(10 MINUTES)
STUDY THE BIBLE
The Point: God will strengthen and restore me.
10
And the God of all 1 PETER 5:10-11
grace, who called you to DISCUSS: Ask students to answer the question, “How does the promise of
his eternal glory in Christ, God restoring us impact both our present and our future?”
after you have suffered
a little while, will himself READ: Have a volunteer read the following:
restore you and make you Peter reminds us that, though we may be suffering—and may even suffer
strong, firm and steadfast. to the point of death—we have genuine hope in the reality of an eternal
11
To him be the power for Creator. God is worthy of our trust because of who He is and what He has
ever and ever. Amen. done. God is the possessor and giver of all grace. He has demonstrated His
—1 PETER 5:10-11 immeasurable grace by taking on the consequence of evil—death—and
defeating it through the resurrection of Christ. This victory and hope is for
each of us.
YY God is our foundation for a sure hope.
YY God is the only One worthy of our trust and reverence.
YY God is the reason we can endure suffering and trials with
resilient faith.
YY God is victorious.
SAY: God has given me real hope. It is not a delusion. It is not just
something I say to make myself feel better. It is a real hope based in the
resurrection. It is a hope that I can access and use right now as I endure
trials in this life. I can put my trust in Jesus because He is worthy of my
trust. My faith is not in vain. There is something better to come.
144 SESSION 6
© 2014 LifeWayCommentary
1 PETER 5:10-11
Peter brought his letter to a conclusion thematically in verses 10-11 by
expressing a doxology, or a hymn of praise. The hymn began with reassurance
the God of grace would rescue His people from their suffering. Peter held
tightly to the idea of God’s grace (1 Pet. 1:2,13; 3:7; 4:10; 5:5,12). He knew they TIP: Make sure students
deserved to suffer much more than they had, but by God’s grace and Jesus’ know that the victory of
death on the cross they received forgiveness for the sins that separated them the Christian is a result
from God. Peter also spoke of God’s calling to eternal glory in Jesus. No matter of God’s grace alone.
what Christians endure in this lifetime, we have the hope of eternity with Christ.
Because heaven is certain and the end is sure, all suffering is temporal.
Peter delivered four powerful promises of what God would do for those who
suffer. The first is that He would personally restore them. The language used
here means to make complete or to put in order. Medically, it was used for the
setting of a broken bone. As a doctor would set a broken bone for healing,
Peter promised God would set the world in order. Sometimes this happens
in the sufferer’s lifetime, but sometimes it awaits the return of Christ. The
second promise Peter gave to those who were suffering is that God would
establish them. This means to make strong in the sense of resolute, unfaltering.
Jesus used this word in Luke 22:31-32 when warning Peter of his approaching
denial of Jesus. He told Peter that after he was restored from that act he
was to strengthen his brothers. Peter had firsthand experience with God’s
strengthening power in his life. TIP: Take a moment
to contact the
The third promise for sufferers was that God would strengthen them. This
parents of your
word indicated a strengthening in the firmness of one’s resolve. As Christians
group this week. Let
suffered, they need to remain resolute in attitude and faith. The final promise
them know you are
is that God would support those who suffered for righteousness. This describes
praying for them
the setting of a firm foundation that could support Christians in their trials. It
and ask if there is
referred to the fixing of a building upon its foundation. Since God was building
anything you can do
His household with the living stones of the church (1 Pet. 2:5), His followers
to help their student
needed a solid foundation. Peter had already indicated that the foundation was
while you are his or
Jesus Christ, the cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:5-6).
her leader.
BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 145
© 2014 LifeWayIMPACT
(10 MINUTES)
APPLY IT
SAY: What will you do to trust God for strength and restoration?
TIP: Is it time to READ: Ask for a volunteer to read aloud a few ways students can take what they
recruit a coleader have learned and Apply It.
for your group? Ask
YY Receive redemption. In order to participate in God’s full work of
parents of students
within the group restoration, you first have to accept His saving work of redemption
if they would be through Jesus Christ. Have you ever trusted in Christ to redeem you?
interested in helping YY Be prepared for attack. Make a plan for how you are going to deal with
lead or provide attacks when they come your way. Think of one area of your life in which
administrative help you are especially vulnerable, and focus on a truth from Scripture that will
with the group. help you stand strong.
YY Live what you believe. Let the reality of God’s redemption be evident
in what you think, say, and do. Start with one or two things you can do to
show the reality of the hope that is in you.
GUIDE: Lead students to consider which of the three suggested responses to
the Bible study most closely applies to them and their current circumstances.
ASK: Which of these responses do you personally need to focus on most
as you live this session out? Allow time for responses.
WRAP UP
PRAY: Close in prayer, asking God to help students know that they can
experience victory through Jesus Christ as He strengthens and restores us.
ASK: Ask students about last week’s Live It Out options. Discuss any responses
and encourage students as they choose to apply the Bible to their lives.
GUIDE: Encourage students to complete one or both of the Live It Out
activities for the week. Let them know you will discuss them next time you meet.
146 SESSION 6
© 2014 LifeWayTo find the One Conversation™ for all
ages, visit www.BibleStudiesForLife.com.
LEADER LIVE IT OUT
Before the session, challenge yourself to grow with your students through this Live It Out.
Surrender = Victory | Matthew 16:24-25
Notes:
Followers of Jesus have a victorious faith because they surrender themselves to Christ
and His will. By surrendering to Jesus, the believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit
to experience victory: victory over sin, victory over temptation, victory in every day
situations, and ultimately, victory over death. Through what Jesus has already done,
victory is possible. So what areas of life do you need to surrender to Jesus? Is there a
specific area in which you still try to maintain control? Until you surrender it to Christ,
you will struggle. Choose to surrender every area of your life to Him this week.
YY List any areas of your life in which you have yet to surrender
fully to Jesus.
YY Ask someone like your spouse or a trusted friend if they see an area of
your life in which you aren’t surrendered to Jesus.
YY Once you determine an area to focus on, search the Scriptures for
what God has to say about this area of your life. For example, if you
are not surrendered to Christ in the area of your attitude, read about
having a Christ-like attitude.
YY Allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to surrender this area of
your life each day. Pray intentionally, giving this area over to Jesus
surrendering fully to Him.
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11
ONE CONVERSATION™
Use these discussion starters to help foster a spiritual conversation with your family.
Concept: Surrender
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We like the stories of individuals who started with little, and through their own discipline and
determination accomplish great things. These may be good examples for sports or business, but they fall short when it comes to our
personal lives. Fortunately, when facing difficulties and opposition, we are not left alone. The Bible shows us what happens when we
drop the self-made approach to faith and rely on God. We can be victorious because Christ has already won the victory.
STUDENTS
THE POINT: God will strengthen and restore me. If your student chooses to do Defense Plan:
• How has God strengthened you in times of struggle? • Encourage your student to develop his or her plan.
• What does victory look like in relation to suffering and faith? • Ask your student if he or she would like for you to help
create a plan.
Have a conversation around this quote: “We are never defeated
unless we give up on God.”1 —Ronald Reagan If your student chooses to do Surrender = Victory:
1. “Ronald Reagan Quotes,” Brainy Quote, [cited 8 November 2013]. Available from the Internet: • Help your student determine how surrender leads to victory.
www.brainyquote.com. • Pray for your student to be surrendered to Christ.
LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or
both Live It Out activities in the Personal Study Guide.
BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 147
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