Happy Friday Church!

For today’s devotional we will read through Pastor Mark’s sermon summary, scripture, and discussion questions. The scripture this Sunday is 1 Peter 3:8-17. It says,

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

Pastor Mark says, “Today, we continue our sermon series, Salt and Light Summer. In today’s scripture passage, Peter encourages the church to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, humble, and forgiving. Reflecting on these virtues, we quickly realize that our current society and culture do not promote living out these godly values. Instead, we live in a society that encourages the unhealthy worship of values from both modern culture and the corporate world, manifesting in various detrimental ways. This mentality fosters selfishness, ruthlessness, exploitation, unethical behavior, and manipulation. The apostles Peter and Paul urge the church not to conform to worldly ways but to seek the mind of Christ, which enables us to live as salt and light. When we pursue the mind of Christ together, we learn to be present, to see people, to treat them with empathy, love, and compassion, and to engage with humility.”

 Discussion questions:

1. How do you personally understand and practice the virtues of being like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, humble, and forgiving? In what ways can these virtues transform our individual lives and our church community?

2. What are some specific examples of modern cultural and corporate values that contradict the virtues Peter encourages? How do these values influence our daily behavior and decision-making?

3. How does the mentality encouraged by modern culture and corporate values contribute to selfishness, ruthlessness, exploitation, unethical behavior, and manipulation in society? Can you identify situations in your own life where you’ve observed or experienced these negative behaviors?

4. How do the teachings of Peter and Paul about not conforming to worldly ways but seeking the mind of Christ challenge your current lifestyle?

5. What practical steps can we take to seek the mind of Christ and live as salt and light in our communities?

God, teach us to love each other with compassion, empathy, curiosity, and understanding. Help us to love like you love, and live like your son Jesus lived. Amen

See you Sunday morning at 10:30 in-person or online,

Chelsea Maitland

Worship Leader