Under the Influence (Week 2)
This week, we will focus on 1 Peter chapters 2 and 3, discussing what it looks like to “put away” the things in our lives that keep us from opening up room for God.
Talk about a time when cleaning or organizing something in your physical space impacted you mentally, emotionally, or even spiritually.
Read 1 Peter 1:1-3 in the Message translation. Can you identify some areas of your life where you would like to make a “clean sweep”? If you are clinging to any of these things, what would it look like to let them go?
Have you ever fasted before—either through abstaining from food, coffee, alcohol, social media, your cell phone, or anything else? Discuss this experience and the effect it had on you. How did “re-wiring your desires” or “de-cluttering your life” make more room for God?
What do you make of the idea that fasting isn’t about eliminating something from your life as much as it is about re-ordering our lives so that those things can better glorify God? How important is the motivation behind why we may choose to fast?
In his sermon this week, Pete challenged us by saying that “whatever makes us want to retaliate, threaten and defend is probably an idol in our life.” Can you identify something that may fit into this category for you? Discuss how you may be able to let this go, keeping in mind that we are not meant to do life alone.
Near the end of his sermon, Pete told us that “a life formed by ‘spiritual milk’ is marked by unity, sympathy, love, compassion and humility.” Read 1 Peter 3:8-9 as part of your prayer together as you conclude your study for this week. Discuss how you can pray for each other this week.
(*Video available after Sunday services)
