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Going Deeper #1 –  The Eyes of The Lord

Read Gen 1:10, 2 Chronicles 16:9, and Psalm 11:4-7.

Think about the correlation between what God looks for in Creation and what He looks for after the fall of man. Remember how trustworthy God’s eyes are when he “saw that his creation was good” compared to those of Adam and Eve when they “saw that the fruit was pleasing to the eye”. God continues to watch man, but not as a spectator, but as a judge watching a defendant, He is watching man. What is He looking for?

Going Deeper #2 – The Eyes of Man

Notice how verse 7 ends this psalm. We are back on the concept of “eyes”, but this time it is referencing man seeing God’s face. How can this be? Read Exodus 33:20 and you’ll find our verse in Psalm 11 to be a very confusing sentence. Think about what God is looking for from our question above, and how that relates to the person who will see His face. There is something that God see’s that first qualifies certain humans to be able to see God in return.

Going Deeper #3 – God’s Throne, Part 1

Read Isaiah 6:1-7, Ezekiel 1:26-28, and Revelation 4:1-6

How do these other passages depicting the throne of God, bring more clarity to why David is so confident that God is in control?

Going Deeper #4 – God’s Throne, Part 2

Considering verse four of Psalm 11, read the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 focusing on verse 9. How does how Jesus taught us to begin our prayers relate to how David thinks about God in the midst of chaos?

Going Deeper #1 –  Suffering

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-14

Read Romans 5:1-5. Before Paul talks about suffering, what does he first say we have? How do those things affect how we respond to suffering according to Paul? Why do you think Paul celebrates suffering like this? Whats is motivation? What’s yours and how does that affect how you see suffering?

Going Deeper #2 – God’s Promises

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-11, 14

Do you have any of God’s promises memorized from the Bible? Before we dig deeper into some specific promises from 1 Peter, write down the verses of your favorite promises from God for you and His Church? Write them down word for word, and as you write them down think of what they are saying, who they are being said to, and what this means for you (Pick at least three). Then spend some time in prayer thanking God for them. 

Going Deeper #3 – God’s Promises Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-11, 14

Read Romans 8:31-39. There is a lot here. Go verse by verse: What’s the first encouraging promise you see? What other promises are there? How do these promises fit into suffering? (Remember Peter connected suffering and God’s promises as well in 1 Peter 5:10-11). What do you find comforting in the middle of these promises and suffering?

Going Deeper #4 – Our Part In God’s Promises

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-11, 14

Have you ever thought about if we have a part in experiencing some of God’s promise or in responding to God’s promises? Although not all are, some of God’s promises are also inviting us to join with God so we can receive them. Check out these verses and reflect on what God is calling you to do as a part of these promises. Are there any actions you struggle with doing more than others?

1 John 1:9, Romans 8:28, Psalm 9:9-10, Proverbs 1:5-6, Matthew 6:31-33

Going Deeper #5 – Suffering Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:10-14

We started off talking about suffering, then went to God’s promises, and now we are back to suffering. Read John 16: 33 and James 1:2-4. How do you feel about the command God gives us in James 1:2 in light of what Jesus said in John 16? How do you do that? Reflect on the other ways you dug deeper into God’s promises, how can God’s promises affect how we respond to suffering? 

How are you doing right now responding to troubles or suffering you might be experiencing? How can what you have been doing in going deeper help you respond as God invites us to? – Be willing to share your struggle with someone and ask them to pray with you.

Going Deeper #1 – Spiritual Battle Part 1

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:6-10, focus on verses 8-9 (The Enemy)

Take time to slowly read Ephesians 6:10-18. This is one of the most popular scriptures about spiritual warfare. You might have read this verse many times, or you are finding it for the first time with this week’s message. Consider each of the pieces of Armor we are given. How do you think you can use them to “Resist” the enemy.

Going Deeper #2 – Spiritual Batte Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:6-10, focus on verses 8-9 (Resist)

Take time to read Ephesians 6:10-18, this time focus on verses 17 and 18. The focus is on the Sword of the Spirit and Praying in the Spirit. What do you think it looks like to bring the Sword of the Spirit (The Word of God/Bible) together in prayer as a weapon to resist? How would that practically look in your life?

Going Deeper #3 – Fighting Temptation Part 1

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:8-10  focus on verse 9 (Resist)

Read Matthew 4:1-11. How does what Jesus does reflect what you read and studied more from Ephesians 6:17-18? Could you do what Jesus did? What is Jesus’ example challenging you with for how you need to be prepared to resist when the temptation to sin comes?

Going Deeper #4 – Fighting Temptation Part 2

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:8-10  focus on verse 9 (Firm In Your Faith)

Read James 1:12-14. What do these verses tell you about temptation? Is that how you have thought about temptation in the past. Can you reflect on the last time you were tempted to sin or did sin, how was this process lived out? Reflecting on that, what might these verses be teaching you that helps you take a new strategy when tempted. What do you think it means to be “steadfast” compared to “firm in your faith”?

Going Deeper #5 – The Battle of The Mind

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:6-10  focus on verses 8-9

Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. Take all that you have been reading through the other Going Deeper times; how do these verses bring all those things together? What does it tell you about your weapons and what they do?
What does it tell you about fighting sin? How can you do what verse 5 says and how does that help you resist sin? Why did God write this verse for you
to read today?

Download PDFRead through 1 Peter 1:22-3:2 before each Going Deeper Study, then look at the specific verses being emphasized for “Going Deeper”.

Going Deeper #1 • Born Again

• Re-read 1 Peter 1:22-25 and John 3:1-15 especially verses 1-5. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Ezekiel 37:1-14

• Peter was taught about the topic of spiritual re-birth from Jesus Himself, but Jesus didn’t invent the idea. The idea of re-birth and new life was spoken of in the Old Testament. How does being “born again” relate to the Old Testament passages referenced above?

Going Deeper #2 • Re-birth and Trees

• Isn’t it interesting how often scripture compares our spiritual life with that of trees/vines? Check out: Psalm 1; Matthew 13:1-33; John 15:1-11; and Galatians 5:16-24. Then reread 1 Peter 1:23-25. What connections stand out to you?

Going Deeper #3 • Agape Love

• Read 1 John 4:7-12 especially verse 8, Romans 5:5, and then reread 1 Peter 1:22-23. The brotherly love mentioned first in 1 Peter 1:22 is philadelphia love, but all the other loves mentioned in the other passages including the second time love is mentioned in the 1 Peter passage, the Bible uses the word Agape.

• Think about the relationship between the Agape love we give to others, and where and how we attain that Agape love. Does anything strike you about how the Bible says we come to attain this unnatural love?

Going Deeper #1 – Humility Part 1

Going Deeper #3 – Anxious/Worry Part 1

Going Deeper #5 – Fear

Re-Read 1 Peter 5:1-7, focus on verses 5-7: