Part 1 - The Good & Beautiful Community - The Peculiar and Hopeful Community Study by: Anita Venning Sermons can be viewed on the Hope Valley Church YouTube Channel GATHERING / WORSHIP / PRAYER Take a few minutes to catch up with each other and build community. If you have new people present give time to getting to know each other. Listen to “In Christ alone, my hope is found. ” Passion. FOCUS Our series ‘The Good and the Beautiful’ is based on three books by James Bryan Smith. Our focus throughout August is on the third book 'The Good and Beautiful Community’, helping us to know how to live in relationship with others as apprentices of Jesus. SETTING THE SCENE The book of Peter is written to Gentile Christians who are being persecuted, to remind them of their new identity, new family and new hope. Their life is grafted into Jesus, solid and sure like a cornerstone or solid foundation. Together they are God’s precious people, not living individually but together for His kingdom, holding onto their faith in Jesus. In choosing to live with this mindset, they were seen as different and peculiar. Their faith and hope in Jesus influenced their behaviour. OPENING GOD’s WORD Warm Up Question: When have you felt different because of your faith in Jesus? Read: 1 Peter 2:4-9 Take turns reading a few verses each or read the passage from several translations including the KJV. What do verses 4-6 say about Jesus and how is that significant to us as a community? How have you recently been built up in your faith, through other believers? How are the community of believers described in verse 9. Truly believing that description, how would it change your view of your community? According to verse 9 what is the main task for our community as followers of Jesus and how can you contribute? LIVING OUT GOD’s WORD. What part of your story is a change from darkness to light and who could you share it with this week? Chosen, royal, holy, God’s possession; how can you remind yourself and other Christians, that is how God sees you? PRAYER Pray for persecuted Christians, for new believers and those that have drifted from church communities; that they will hold or reestablish their identity in Christ, find comfort, strength, encouragement in godly family and hope in Jesus. Pray for the needs within the group. Contacts If you would like more information or further help please contact: scott.button@hopevalleychurch.com.au