"Hope" Series Day 7: How do We Share our Hope?
by Jamie Steach
READ 1 PETER 3:13-17
Should we avoid suffering? If we suffer for what is right, what does Peter say that we are? If it is true that to be blessed is to have exceeding joy, how can we have exceeding joy when we suffer? Why is it important to communicate gently and respectfully when we give a reason for our hope? Why is it important that in suffering for doing good and in how we speak, we should have a clear conscience and not be guilty of what people say when they slander? How does this present evidence for a lasting hope? What is the reason for the hope that you have? If you have never thought of this question, take some time to think about it now. If a non-disciple came and asked you how you can still have hope when looking at the world right now, what would you say?
READ 1 PETER 1:3-9
What does it mean that we have a living hope? If we have a living hope, should it be living in our daily lives? What does it look like when you live in a way that demonstrates your living hope? In what way is our faith refined? How does this refine our hope? This seems like a recurring theme... Can we separate suffering from hope? What is meant to be the result when our faith has proved genuine? Do you think that is supposed to be witnessed by others? What does this passage seem to imply about that? What is the evidence that we have received the end result of our faith, our salvation? Is this quality something that is obvious? That people often take note of ? How might this evidence allow us an opportunity to share our hope, as well?
READ 2 PETER 3:9-15
What does God want for the world? How does sharing our hope play a part in that? How might God’s patience and the current situation in the world relate to this? What is the calling Peter gives us here? If we share in the hope of redemption, what is the model of the life we are to live? What is our motivation? What are we looking forward to? How does living like this allow our hope to be put on display? How can our actions and our lives share our hope more effectively than our words? Are you currently making every effort to live as this scripture calls for?
WRAP UP:
Is it important to share our hope? Are you prepared to give an answer when you are questioned about your hope? Does your life supply evidence and validity to that answer? What are ways that you personally can be prepared to share your hope?
About this series
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)
Yachal = hope: to wait, expect; waiting with expectation (OT)
Elpizō = hope: to wait with joy and full confidence, to trust in (NT)
Elpis = hope: expectation of good; the thing hoped for (NT)
Hope is a common topic in the Bible, and while many references speak of placing hope in God, we have a few other examples, as well. But what do all of these various references have in common?
Acts 16:19 - hope of making money=expectation of making money
Luke 24:21 - expectation that Jesus was going to redeem Israel (like David)
Jeremiah 23:16 - false expectations
These 3 examples capture the specific nature of hope that echoes through the Bible: to have hope is to have expectation, and usually it involves waiting on that expectation. So what exactly does expectation have to do with God? As it turns out, a lot.