A Simple Order of Worship for Small Groups at Home
A Simple Order of Worship for Small Groups at Home
Open the worship time with a season of prayer.Have someone read Psalm 84 out loud to the group or have everyone read it together.Next, share prayer requests and concerns you have, and take turns praying for those requests and for each other; encourage each other if that seems appropriate.Finally, spend time thanking God for everything He has done for you, as well as praising Him for who He is.Feel free to pray as long as you want.
Sing three-to-five of your favorite hymns.If you don’t feel comfortable singing, play some YouTube videos of your favorite hymns or Christian songs.Briefly share why this song or that song is meaningful to you.
Have someone read the entire letter of 1 Peter out loud, or have the group take turns reading it together.Pick whichever translation is the easiest for you to understand.After reading 1 Peter, answer and discuss the questions below for a time of Bible study.You may answer all of the questions, focus on one or two questions of your choosing, or ignore the questions and instead discuss the portions of 1 Peter that impressed or puzzled each of you!There is no obligation to use the questions, they are only to help you in your Bible study.
Assign one chapter of 1 Peter to each individual in the group.Write down what each chapter says about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.How does each chapter describe the triune God?How do these descriptions help you know God better?How does knowing this information about God give you encouragement?Share and discuss with each other.
In 1 Peter chapter 1, the apostle talks a lot about being holy.In light of what the apostle says in 1 Peter 1:3-12, what do you think he means when he says, “Be holy”?How does Peter describe the kind of holiness God wants from us?How does Peter explain we become holy – does God make us holy or do we make ourselves holy?Share and discuss with each other.
In 1 Peter chapter 2, the apostle talks a lot about stones.In fact, he quotes three Old Testament passages to talk about stones – Isaiah 28:16 (in v. 6), Psalm 118:2 (in v. 7), and Isaiah 8:14 (in v. 8).Peter is primarily talking about Jesus in this chapter.How do these three Old Testament passages help you understand Peter’s point about Jesus?
In 1 Peter chapters 2 - 4, the apostle talks a lot about suffering and submission.How do we usually define submission?Find all the verses in these chapters where Peter talks about people submitting to others and discuss how he defines submission in those passages.How does Peter’s definition of submission differ from our usual definition of submission?According to Peter, what is the relationship between submission, humility, and love?What do you think Peter is trying to tell you today?
In 1 Peter chapter 5, the apostle gives some final messages.Which of Peter’s messages catches your attention?Explain why and discuss with the group.What does Peter say about the second coming of Jesus in this chapter?Share and discuss with the rest of the group the hope and encouragement you have in Jesus’ second coming.
After the Bible study, have closing prayer together.God be with you!