Ice Breaker: Share one area where you've experienced personal growth through difficulty or discomfort in the past year.

Discussion Questions:
Understanding the Message

1. What does it mean to "arm yourself" with the same mindset as Christ? How is this different from simply trying to be a good person?
2. Pastor said, "We should hate sin because of what it did to Jesus." How does viewing sin through the lens of Christ's suffering change your perspective on your own struggles with sin?
3. Discuss the statement: "Suffering for Christ is evidence that you belong to Him." Does this contradict the idea that God wants to bless us? Why or why not?

Personal Reflection:

4. The sermon distinguishes between suffering for righteousness versus suffering for our own foolishness (1 Peter 4:15). Can you identify a time when you suffered consequences for poor choices versus suffering because of your faith? What was different about those experiences?
5. "We feed our flesh way too much. We live in our flesh way too much." In what specific areas of your life are you most prone to feeding your flesh rather than walking in the Spirit?
6. Pastor shared his struggle with fasting dinner and how challenges arose precisely during that time. What spiritual disciplines have you found most difficult, and what do you think that reveals about your areas of needed growth?

Going Deeper:

7. Read 1 Peter 4:12-14. Why does Peter say we shouldn't be surprised by fiery trials? What does it mean that "the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you" when you're insulted for Christ's name?
8. The sermon emphasized that judgment begins in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). What does this mean practically? How should this truth affect how we live as believers?
9. "Your job is to bring glory to God. So when you're there, do a good job." How does this perspective transform the way you view your daily work, whether at a job, at home, or in other responsibilities?

Application

10. Pastor called for Christians to be "strong warriors for the kingdom" rather than "wimps." What would it look like for you personally to move from comfortable Christianity to radical commitment?
11. "Every day, choose to see trials as opportunities to grow in holiness and to display Christ's character." What current trial or difficulty could you reframe as an opportunity for spiritual growth?
12. For parents/grandparents: The sermon mentioned reading the Bible and praying with children every night. If you have children or grandchildren, what practical steps can you take to be more intentional about their spiritual formation?

Closing Prayer Points

• Pray for courage to embrace suffering for Christ rather than seeking comfort
• Ask God to reveal areas of compromise and help each person hate sin
• Pray for the church to become warriors for the kingdom, not wimps
• Ask for grace to commit fully to God's will and purposes alone
• Pray for those currently experiencing trials, that they would see God's glory in their suffering