Sermon Based Small Group Lessons

Our American Idols: Beauty

Dr. Les Hughes

October 5, 2008

1 Peter 3:1-4

Beginning Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 PM

House of Prayer

Westwood Baptist Church

Opening Question

(New groups: Share your name and what you’d buy if you had more money.

Focus Passage

1 Peter 3:1-4

1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Outline of Sermon (The Life Changing Lessons)

This is for the leader’s use. You don’t have to read through these for the group.

Life-Changing Lessons:

1. Physical appearances change over the course of time.

2. Paying some attention to physical appearance is not a sin.

3. What’s most important is not how people see us, but how God views us.

4. Who we are on the inside will follow us into eternity.

Digging for Truth

At the top of the list of what our culture values is physical attraction. Today we want to discover God’s perspective on our desire to be attractive.

1. What was your reaction to the video and the phrase “Halloween every day”? (This regarding a girl so caught up in looks that she spent an hour in the bathroom every day.)

2. As part of nature, our bodies are deteriorating. What should our perspective of this be in light of God’s word? Do you know any public figures who have fought it hard? (Joan Rivers: “I can’t feel my face.” Commercial)

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Prov. 31:30

3. We as humans naturally care about what everyone else. Sometimes we do this to the detriment of what God thinks of us. How can we give more concern to what God thinks?

4. Often we are pressured to fit in. How do we balance being pleasing to God and fitting in? We can make Christianity less attractive to others if we appear as strange. Are we brave enough to be counter culture if we believe that pleases God?

5. It’s okay to give some attention to our looks (see passage). The Bible says “merely”. Aren’t we glad. One scholar said, “if the barn needs to be painted, paint it!”

6. There are times that clothing violates God’s standards. To help men and women understand one another, talk about your struggles in this area. (Men, what is unhealthy for you to see? Women, do you realize that trying to fit in and look contemporary can actually cause a man to sin? Do you have any suggestions for dressing standards?)

See Proverbs 11:22 (a woman who shows no discretion)

7. Read Romans 2:28-29. What does this passage teach us? (What’s on the inside matters most.)

8. What problems on the inside cause people to be overly concerned about what they look like on the outside?

9. David was selected as king even though he was a runt. Read 1 Sam 16:7. What truth can we take from this?

10. What things can we do to be more comfortable with who we are?

11. Do we judge people by their physical appearance?

See James 2:2-4.

Closing Thought

What has God called me to change as a result of today’s sermon and discussion?