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(1 Peter 4:7-11)

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11. Why does the nearness of “the end of all things” make a clear mind and self-control necessary? What might happen to a person who lacks a clear mind and self-control?

According to verse 7, what should a Christian do with a clear mind and self-control?

Does it surprise you that the first thing Peter wants Christians to do in the light of the end of all things is to pray? Isn’t there something else we should be doing, like evangelizing, or fighting, or even fleeing?

What kind of things might Peter have expected Christians to pray about?

Verse 8 says, “Above all” [literally, “Before all”] love one another.” Explain the “Before all.” Why is love the first priority?

How does love cover a multitude of sins?

Verse 9 calls Christians to offer hospitality to one another. In that culture, what did it mean to offer hospitality? Do you think this command has application in contemporary society? How?

Why would someone grumble over offering hospitality?

Grumbling is a serious offense in the Bible (see 1 Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14). Why is this so?

Read verse 10 and put it into your own words. Do you think this instruction is being followed at Cal Road? How could we help each other do this?

What do you think? Did Peter believe that hospitality and the use of spiritual gifts (vv. 9-10) is sourced in the love of verse 8? If hospitality and the use of gifts is divorced from love, what might be the result?

Peter seems to divide spiritual gifts into two primary categories (v. 11): speaking and serving gifts. Which kind of gift would you rather have? Which is more important?

Notice the two “he should do it” clauses in v. 11. Is it possible to “do it” in any other way? If one should “do it” in another way, what might result?

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