Small Group Guide: Holy Suffering
Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion. Consider using the "groaning in the Spirit" practice mentioned in the sermon—take deep breaths together and hum softly, allowing God to intercede for needs too deep for words.
Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Question: Share about a time when you discovered the solution to a problem was "right under your nose" (like glasses on your head). How did that feel?
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
God is Already Within Us - We don't need to beg God to come down; the Holy Spirit already dwells in us through Christ.
Peter's Example of Teachability - Despite his impulsiveness and mistakes, Peter remained humble and teachable, allowing God to correct and shape him.
Holiness Through Surrender - Being holy isn't about doing good works to earn God's approval; it's about surrendering to the Christ who already lives in us.
Anger as a Symptom - Unresolved anger often masks deeper hurt and manifests in judgment, impatience, and frustration.
Groaning in the Spirit - When we don't know how to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26-27).
Discussion Questions (30-40 minutes)
Section 1: Teachability and Humility
Read 1 Peter 1:13-16
Pastor mentioned that "leaders are learners and leaders are little." What does it mean to be teachable like Peter? Share an example of when God corrected you and you had to humble yourself.
Peter experienced both moments of spiritual insight (recognizing Jesus as the Messiah) and moments of correction (being called "Satan" by Jesus) in the same conversation. How do you typically respond when God corrects you through Scripture, circumstances, or other people?
What's the difference between worldly correction that tears down and godly correction that builds up? How can we tell the difference?
Section 2: Hidden Anger and Hurt
Read James 1:19-20
The sermon stated, "Our thoughts are responsible for all or most of the suffering we experience." Do you agree? Why or why not?
Pastor shared his frustration over spilling water as an indicator of deeper hidden anger. What are some "tails" or symptoms in your life that might indicate unresolved hurt or anger? (Examples: road rage, quick judgment, impatience, self-loathing)
"Underneath anger is hurt. Anger is a protective mechanism to keep others at bay." Who or what situation might you be protecting yourself from? How might God want to heal that hurt?
Section 3: Being Holy as God is Holy
Read 1 Peter 1:17
How does Christianity's approach to holiness differ from other religions' attempts to please God through good works? Why is this distinction important?
What does it mean practically to "be holy as God is holy" in your daily life—at work, at home, in relationships?
The sermon emphasized that we serve "a God who speaks because He's within us." When was the last time you sensed God speaking to you? How did you respond?
Practical Applications (15-20 minutes)
Individual Reflection
Take 2-3 minutes of silence for each person to identify:
One area where you need God's correction
One hidden hurt or anger you need to surrender
One relationship where you need to love like Christ (even if it means suffering)
Group Practice: Groaning in the Spirit
Based on Romans 8:22-27
As a group, practice the "groaning in the Spirit" exercise:
Identify something you're struggling with but don't have words to express
Take a deep breath in
Exhale with a gentle hum or groan
Silently invite the Holy Spirit to intercede for you
Repeat 3-5 times
Discuss: How did this feel? What did you sense God saying or doing?
Weekly Challenge
Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: The Blue Card Prayer Daily pray the surrender prayer from the sermon:
"I offer my life, my heart, my mind, my body, my soul, my spirit, along with all my hopes, plans, and dreams. I surrender to you my past, present, future, my problems, habits, character defects, and attitudes."
Option 2: Anger Inventory Keep a journal this week noting when you feel irritated, frustrated, or angry. Ask God to reveal the hurt underneath and how He wants to heal it.
Option 3: Teachability Practice Invite someone you trust to give you honest feedback about a blind spot in your life. Receive it like Peter—humbly and with a willingness to change.
Option 4: Holy Love Challenge Identify one person who is difficult to love. Pray for them daily and ask God to love them through you, even if it means suffering (like Christ's call to love enemies).
Closing Prayer (5-10 minutes)
Prayer Format:
Confession: Acknowledge areas where we've been unteachable or harboring anger
Surrender: Use the blue card prayer or groan in the Spirit together
Trust: Affirm that God is already within us and able to do what we cannot
Unity: Pray for one another's specific struggles shared during the discussion
End with the Lord's Prayer together.
For Further Study
Read the entire book of 1 Peter this week (5 chapters)
Study other examples of Peter's teachability: Matthew 16:13-23; John 21:15-19; Acts 10:9-16
Memorize Romans 8:26-27
Leader's Notes
Create a safe space for vulnerability—remind the group of confidentiality
Be prepared to share your own struggles with anger, teachability, or hidden hurt
Have tissues available; this topic may bring up emotional responses
Consider having anointing oil available for anyone who wants prayer ministry after the group
Follow up during the week with anyone who shared something particularly heavy
Discussion Questions:
How does the image of 'glasses on top of our head' challenge the way you typically pray for God's intervention versus recognizing His presence already within you?
In what areas of your life do you most resemble Peter—showing flashes of greatness followed by moments requiring correction—and how teachable are you in those areas?
What is the difference between praying for God to 'come down and fix' something versus asking Him to release what He has already placed inside you through the Holy Spirit?
How does Jim Carrey's observation that 'our thoughts are responsible for most of the suffering we experience' relate to the sermon's teaching on anger, hurt, and judgment?
What 'tails' of buried anger—such as quick judgment, impatience, or self-loathing—might be manifesting in your own life, and what hurt might they be protecting?
How does Christianity's focus on God working within us differ from other religions' emphasis on doing things to please God, and how does this affect your daily spiritual practice?
What does it mean practically to 'groan in the Spirit' when you don't have words to pray, and have you experienced this kind of wordless intercession in your own prayer life?
How does the fear of God as described in this sermon—fearing His absence rather than His punishment—differ from traditional understandings of fearing God?
In what specific area of your life do you need to humble yourself and become teachable like Peter, allowing God to correct rather than justify your actions?
What would change in your relationships and daily frustrations if you truly believed that holiness comes from Christ's presence within you rather than from your own efforts to be good?
How does the image of 'glasses on top of our head' challenge the way you typically pray for God's intervention versus recognizing His presence already within you?
In what areas of your life do you most resemble Peter—showing flashes of greatness followed by moments requiring correction—and how teachable are you in those areas?
What is the difference between praying for God to 'come down and fix' something versus asking Him to release what He has already placed inside you through the Holy Spirit?
How does Jim Carrey's observation that 'our thoughts are responsible for most of the suffering we experience' relate to the sermon's teaching on anger, hurt, and judgment?
What 'tails' of buried anger—such as quick judgment, impatience, or self-loathing—might be manifesting in your own life, and what hurt might they be protecting?
How does Christianity's focus on God working within us differ from other religions' emphasis on doing things to please God, and how does this affect your daily spiritual practice?
What does it mean practically to 'groan in the Spirit' when you don't have words to pray, and have you experienced this kind of wordless intercession in your own prayer life?
How does the fear of God as described in this sermon—fearing His absence rather than His punishment—differ from traditional understandings of fearing God?
In what specific area of your life do you need to humble yourself and become teachable like Peter, allowing God to correct rather than justify your actions?
What would change in your relationships and daily frustrations if you truly believed that holiness comes from Christ's presence within you rather than from your own efforts to be good?
