Reflection Questions: The ‘Sons of the Kingdom’ and the ‘Sons of the Evil One’ (John 8.44)

This Week’s Text

1 Peter 5:8-11: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1. Let’s begin with a post-Lent reflection. We’ve just been through a 40-day period of contemplation. What did the Lord show you during that time that you can share with your group?
2. What are some of the ways the enemy divides people into categories? Why does he do this and why is it so effective? How does God’s Word categorize people (see Matthew 13:38 & John 3:36). How can it be helpful for believers to see people in accordance to these two categories? How might doing so be harmful? What’s the balance? Hint: it has something to do with ‘how’ we think about the ‘sons of the evil one’ (discuss these passages in this context: Matthew 5:43-48; Mark 16:15; Luke 9:51-55 [in KJV, NKJV or NASB only]; John 3:17-18; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:13-15, 12:18-21).
3. All people suffer. Born-again people suffer too – sometimes even more than others. Why does God allow this? See Job 2:9-10; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; and James 1:2-4.
4. The Bible’s writers seen to discount the suffering we face in this life. Paul calls them “light” and “momentary” – and consider how much he suffered (see 2 Cor. 11:23-29)! Peter says (twice) that we only suffer “for a little while” (1 Pet. 5:10). How can the Apostles justify such statements? Consider 2 Cor. 4:17-18 carefully; discuss each phrase. What is the “eternal weight of glory” suffering is preparing us for? What are the “things that are unseen” Paul mentions here? Now, read Rom. 8:18 in light of 2 Cor. 4:17-18. The latter passage is Paul’s justification for the former. See that? How does these Apostle’s ‘depreciation’ of our suffering help our perspective as Jesus-followers? Consider Job’s words in 1:21.
5. 1 Pet. 5:8-11 begins by giving us two imperative commands, and then identifies and describes our greatest enemy. Find these things in 5:8. Verse 9 tells us to “resist him” – something we’ll talk about next week. But look at verse 10. There, Peter gives us encouragement by (1) describing our God, (2) declaring how we’ve been called by Him into our eternal salvation by grace, and (3) reminding us of what He’ll do for us (4 things) in the future. Discuss, glorify Him with 5:11!