Ice Breaker: Share one thing from your childhood that you had to "grow out of" or leave behind as you matured. How did that transition feel?

Discussion Questions:
Section 1: Counting the Cost (1 Peter 4:1-3)

1. Pastor mentioned that following Christ "costs a lot, but it ain't hard." What do you think is the difference between something being costly versus being difficult?
2. Read 1 Peter 4:1-3. Peter tells believers that "the time already past is sufficient" for living in sin. What does it mean practically to "cease from sin" in your daily life?
3. How does understanding that "Jesus is done, but we are not" affect how you view your spiritual growth?

Section 2: Understanding Criticism (1 Peter 4:4-6)

4. Have you experienced friends or family not understanding your commitment to Christ? How did you handle it?
5. Why do you think people are "surprised" when Christians choose to live differently? What does this reveal about the world's expectations?
6. The sermon warned against seeking advice from people who don't have godly wisdom. How do you discern who to listen to when making important decisions?

Section 3: Living with Urgency (1 Peter 4:7)

7. Peter says "the end of all things is at hand." How should the reality of Christ's return change how we live today?
8. Pastor shared about technology and end-times prophecy. How do you balance being aware of the times without becoming fearful or obsessed with predictions?
9. What does it mean to be "of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer"? How can we cultivate this in our lives?

Section 4: Fervent Love (1 Peter 4:8-11)

10. "Love covers a multitude of sins" - What does this look like in practice, especially when someone has hurt you repeatedly?
11. The sermon challenged us to use our gifts practically and hospitably. What gift has God given you, and how are you currently using it (or not using it)?
12. Pastor used the example of making your bed as a basic discipline. What small disciplines could you implement to grow in faithfulness?

Practical Applications:
Choose one or more to commit to this week:

1. Daily Discipline: Start each day with one simple discipline (making your bed, 10 minutes of Bible reading, etc.) as an act of worship
2. Forgiveness Action: Reach out to someone you need to forgive or reconcile with, even if it's uncomfortable
3. Gift Inventory: Identify one spiritual gift you have and find one way to use it this week (teaching, serving, hospitality, encouragement, etc.)
4. Invitation Challenge: Invite at least one person to church, a church event, or to coffee to share your faith story
5. Prayer Focus: Shift your prayer time from personal requests to praying for souls, revival, and kingdom purposes

Closing Prayer Points: 

• Pray for strength to "cease from sin" and live holy lives
• Ask God to help group members identify and use their gifts
• Pray for opportunities to show fervent love to others this week
• Ask for boldness to live with eternal perspective in a temporary world