The following outline and discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on May 10, “Hope That Leads to Holiness” (1 Peter 1:13–16). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection. 

Outline

1. Set Your Hope on Future Grace (1 Peter 1:13)
2. Be Holy Like Your Heavenly Father (1 Peter 1:14–16) 
   

Main Point: Believers live to reflect their heavenly hope and true identity.

Discussion Questions

• In verse 13, what does the word “therefore” imply about what came before (1 Peter 1:1–12) and what follows after (1 Peter 1:13–2:3)?
• What does it mean to “set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”?
• What are some examples of “preparing your minds for action” and “being sober-minded”?
• In verse 14, what is the significance of being “obedient children”?
• Take a moment to read Leviticus 19. What do you notice about God’s commands and how they relate to the Israelites identity as his people (e.g., “I am the Lord your God”)?
• How is our conformity to Christlike holiness a beautiful reality rather than a burdensome command?

Application Questions

• How can you increasingly “set your hope” on future grace this week?
• What steps can you take to “gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter 1:13, KJV) and to be sober-minded in your life?
• Can you think of any “passions of your former ignorance” that no longer characterize your life? Can you take an opportunity to give public praise to God for his work of transformation?
• In your life, are there areas of “former ignorance” that continually need to be put to death?
• What are some ways we can joyfully strive to pursue Christlike holiness?

Prayer Focus

Praise God for all that he has done for us in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:1–12) and for making us his children who increasingly resemble our heavenly Father. Confess any areas of sin, such as failing to set your hope on Christ, laziness, drunkenness (literal or spiritual), and losing sight of our identity as his children. Thank God for forgiveness of sins, for present and future grace in Christ Jesus, and for Christ’s imminent return. Ask God for well-placed hope in him, and that you would increasingly become who you truly are: a holy and blessed obedient child of God.