Section 16 – 1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
● (v7) What does Peter mean when he says,“The end of all things is near”? What “end” is Peter talking about? It has been 2000 years since Peter said this. Is it really near?
● Since “the end is near”,what state of mind should the Christian be in? Why is this state of mind important for prayer? What is prayer?
● (v8) What is of first importance in our interactions with fellow believers? What does it mean that “love covers over a multitude of sins”? What is a Christian with love in their heart for a fellow believer doing when that believer sins?
● (v9) What is hospitality? Why might a Christian grumble when offering hospitality to another Christian?
● (v10) What is a steward? What are we as Christians stewards of? Do you know your gift(s)? Are you a faithful steward with God’s gift(s)?
● (v11). Peter describes two categories of gifts. What are they? How should the gifts related to speaking be used? How should the gifts of service be used? What should the outcome of using our gifts be?
● What is something from our passage you are challenged to ponder further this week?
Mark 13:26-32
26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Proverbs 10:12
2 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.