Knowing and Following Jesus
1 Peter 2:19-25 English Standard Version
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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Small Group Study
The Path Before Us: Knowing and Following Jesus
August 9, 2026
NewDay Mission Statement
NewDay reaches out to children, youth, adults, and families so they can experience the life-changing difference that comes from knowing and following Jesus.
We conclude our Mission/Vision series with Jesus’ instructions to “go into all the world” with the Gospel. Life changing differences happen when we as God’s people bring Jesus’ message to others and they come to know and follow Jesus.
Bible Study Text: 1 Peter 2:19-25
This text was written by Paul to Timothy, his dear friend/partner in ministry. It is a reminder that following Jesus is not an easy path in this world.
Verse 19 When/how does being “mindful of God” result in unjust suffering? OR
Can unjust suffering come from just believing or does unjust suffering come from living/sharing that belief?
ESV translates the Greek word charis as “gracious”. It is a “gracious” thing when we suffer for being mindful of God. Grace comes from God when we suffer for being mindful of Him.
Does this truth about God give you encouragement in the benefit of grace or does it bring dread in the reality that our faithfulness may result in suffering?
Verse 20 speaks again to the benefits of good works: there is “credit” given to those who do good and suffer for it. Paul reinforces the thought of verse 19 with the negative example that suffering punishment for our sin/crimes is of “no credit.”
Does verse 20 address the attitude of attempts to receive lesser punishment for crimes or even avoid punishment through legal loopholes for followers of Jesus?
Does Jesus ever avoid punishment for those that accused him? Does this have bearing on our lives when caught in a sin/crime?
Paul repeats the phrase “this is a gracious thing” in verse 19 and 20. Why such an emphasis on the reward for suffering due to faithfulness?
Verse 21 elevates this idea even further. Not only is it a good idea, and not only is there a reward of grace from God in suffering for doing good but that God has called us to this!
How does a “good God” call us to suffering? (discuss this in light of verses 21-24)
Follow Jesus (verse 21)
Examples for us to follow (verses 22, 23 – no deceit, no revile, no threat, entrust to God)
Verse 24 What meaning does the text “by His wounds you have been healed” have in context with receiving God’s grace through righteous lives?
Verse 25 uses the phrase “Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” to describe the role of Christ in our lives.
Shepherd is used many times in the New Testament to describe Jesus. Overseer (or Bishop) is used only this once to describe Christ’s role as our Messiah and Lord.
Read Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7
What is the meaning of the word “bishop” in these contexts?
How does that inform us of Christ’s role in our lives as “bishop”?
In Acts 20 Paul speaks to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17). Read Acts 20:28. Paul uses the same word “bishop” or “overseer” to describe the role that elders in the church have with the church body.
How does that inform us of Christ’s role in our lives as “bishop”?
Describe the parallel of Christ being “bishop” of our souls and our elders being “bishops” of the church.
Close in prayer for discernment of your role in the church: evangelist, “bishop”, faithful servant. Pray for others that are witnesses to our faithfulness: that they may see God in us, that they may know God through us, that they may trust in Christ through the Holy Spirit working in them, that they may grow in their faith.