Today’s passage: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Helpful thoughts:

• Again, Christ is our example and precedent for persevering through suffering.
• Even if we were to suffer in the flesh as Christ did (Unto death), it would result in complete freedom from sin.
• The will of God in this passage is referring to God’s revealed will in Scripture.  We already know how He intends for us to live because He has given us His sufficient Scripture.
• The Bible really does talk about when people make fun of us because we don’t participate in their parties.
• “…preached, even to those who are dead.” is referring to those who had heard the Gospel, believed and perished before Peter’s audience had received this letter.  They were again being reminded that upon death, life continues right on with the Lord.

Questions to consider:

1. What different levels of suffering are mentioned in this passage?  What seems the least worrisome?  Which seems the most severe?
2. Why is it hard to sympathize with the original audience of this epistle?  How would your priorities and thoughts concerning others be affected if this letter had been sent to you originally and you personally knew people who had been martyred?
3. How does our view of God, eternity and judgment help us to overcome whatever level of persecution that may come our way?

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Helpful thoughts:

• Christ set the example of suffering unjustly, on our behalf and as a result of our sin.
• There are demons who were:
  • Wickedly acting in a specific way at a specific time (e.g. Genesis 6:1-2).
  • Imprisoned for their wickedness (2 Peter 2:4)
  • Told by Jesus Himself that they had lost, and He was victorious!
• The word “Baptize” means immerse, so:
  • Noah and his families were NOT immersed in the water.  They were immersed in the ark and saved from the water.
  • The ark pictures Christ!  Therefore, the immersion that saves us is our immersion into Christ.
  • Peter emphasizes that he is NOT talking about water baptism by saying “Not as a removal of dirt from the body…”

Questions to consider:

1. How are we able to be saved?  What had to be done?  Who did the work?
2. Some people ask if Jesus went to hell after He died on the cross?  What does this passage teach us?  What was His purpose?  Where did Jesus say He was going to be the same day He died in Luke 23:43?  Was He suffering for three days or did He make a quick visit to make an important announcement?
3. Can you see why some people think this passage teaches we have to get baptized in water to get saved?  Why is that interpretation wrong?  How could you answer this question with gentleness and respect?

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 3:8-17

Helpful thoughts:

• Do good to people, even if they aren’t good to you.
• If you want to live a life free from fighting and animosity, pursue peace, kindness and righteousness.  This could be especially applicable in our day in regards to social media and comment sections on news sites.
• Three keys to being a good witness:
  • Christ should be set apart and revered above everything else in our lives.
  • We should be ready and able to give a defense of our faith.
  • We should give that defense with gentleness and respect.

Questions to consider:

1. How does our desire and effort to do good to others, regardless of how we are treated, free us up to enjoy life?  How does that lifestyle mimic Christ?
2. What motivates us to be rude with others during discussions (Religious, Political, etc.)?
3. Is it more important for me to have freedom on this earth and avoid all persecution, or to give another what they need to know to have eternal freedom/life?
4. Why does set Christ apart from and above everything matter so much?  If Jesus isn’t the most important person to me, how will that effect my responses and actions when other pressures/temptations come?

 

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 3:1-7

Helpful thoughts:

• There are various imperfect relationships that we are called to submit to within in these passages.  Marriage is included in that list.
• An unbelieving husband will not be won to the Lord with external physical beauty, but with internal humble godliness.
• This counsel is being given to women who are specifically under the pressure of ungodly leadership from their husbands.
  • Sarah’s example of submission should make us think of the episodes where Abraham told her to say she was his sister! (Genesis 12:10-20 & Genesis 20:1-18)
• A husband who takes advantage of his wives’ responsibility to be submissive (Treating her as if she is inferior) will not be heard by God when he prays.

Questions to consider:

1. Why is it often so hard for women to commit to the idea of submission?  What is inevitably, eventually, going to happen with an imperfect man leading in the home?
2. Why is it often too easy for a man to misuse, abuse, or even abandon the leadership role he has been given?
3. How could the counsel to “Not let your adorning to be external” or of the “beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit” be misused?  Why is it wrong to use this passage to tell women they shouldn’t wear make-up or be allowed to speak their mind?  Is it possible to speak your mind and still be submissive?  What would that look like?
4. Who must women see as their example in submitting to imperfect leadership? (Hint: Go back and read 1 Peter 2:21-25)

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 2:13-25

Helpful thoughts:

• God has ordained government to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.
• Christians are free from the bondage of sin and therefore willing and able to serve the Lord, honor and love others and submit to authority.
• Being punished for a crime, for sin, is not suffering.  Being treated poorly for following Jesus is suffering, and it’s what God has called us to do.

Questions to consider:

1. For who’s sake should we submit to our authorities?
2. Since Christ is our example in suffering, how should we respond when the world might try to persecute us?
3. What does “By His wounds you have been healed” mean in this context?  Is that phrase meant to be applied to physical healing?  From what have we been healed?

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Helpful thoughts:

• The world disobeys the word (Rejects the Gospel/Christ) and therefore is destined for destruction.  But Christians are a chosen people, set apart.
• In verse 9-10, Peter brings us to thoughts of glory and marvelous light, then in verse 11-12, we come back down to earth.
  • We are a royal priesthood and a holy nation!
  • And, we are sojourners and exiles.
• The world will speak of us as evil doers.  It says, “when”, not “if”.  But have no fear, the world is not our judge.

Questions to consider:

1. Christians, what are we set apart for?  What is our purpose?
2. Are the names given to us (A race, the priesthood, a nation, etc.) singular in nature or plural in nature?  How should this effect the way we view our involvement in the church?
3. How does thinking vertically, and thinking forward (Our God-given identity, purpose, and future), help us to rightly view the world around us and our role in it?

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 2:1-8

Helpful thoughts:

• Since God has given you a pure heart, it’s time to put away the sinfulness that came from your old heart.
• In 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Paul writes of Christians being fed “milk” and “solid food”.  Peter is reminding us of the fundamental nature of the Gospel in our growth.  We tend to drift away from grace in our thinking…which tends toward legalism, selfishness, and then fleshly living.  Continue to long for the Gospel and keep your God- centered view in good maintenance!
• Jesus Christ is thee living stone rejected by men and precious to God the Father.  We are made to be like Him, as living stones being built into a Temple.
  • Christians, we are the temple.
  • And, we are priests.
    • We have access to God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
    • We are able to offer our lives and obedience as sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.
• The stumbling of all who reject Christ is their fall…this is their destiny.  God does not have to actively destine people to unbelief.  We are all prone to unbelief, it is our default response.  The doom that results from unbelief is what was appointed.

Questions to consider:

1. If you have no desire for the Word of God, what does that indicate concerning your “taste” for it?
2. Did Jesus give you salvation so you could be epic, or is there something bigger than you to which you now belong?
3. What are the things promised to the spiritual house and holy priesthood we have been joined together with in this passage?

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Helpful thoughts:

• The purification of our souls (for believers) was a past action that is continually producing results.
  • God graciously saved us and purified our soul/heart.
  • We grow in grace and obedience.
  • That growth and obedience is practiced in love toward others.
• And we love because (or “since”) we have been born again.
  • This can certainly be thought of as the Gospel motivating us to love…
  • However, it is written here as a simple cause/effect.  You were born again/purified, therefore you will love.  It’s just how God makes it work!
• Our salvation is imperishable because the Word of the Lord, the Gospel, is imperishable!  God has made some things to be perishable (Like grass), but your salvation isn’t one of them.

Questions to consider:

1. What are some evidences of your “re-wiring” after your salvation?  What is happening to you and the way you see others since God has put a pure heart in you?
2. Given the process of the out-pouring from the hearts God has given us, how should we expect our change/growth to occur?  Would it be spontaneous change or would we see more godliness coming through in a progressive way over time?
3. What is the basis of the security of your salvation?  Who was/is responsible for your salvation?  Who is responsible for the security of your salvation?  Why do these questions matter?

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Helpful thoughts:

• Hoping in Jesus is not a mystical or mindless action.  We are called on to prepare our minds for action and to be sober-minded.
• We do not seek holiness it to earn eternal life. We seek holiness because our Father is holy.
• We do not have eternal life because of our holiness or righteousness.  We have eternal life because God the Son, who was before the creation of the world, took on humanity/flesh and died in our place.  He rose from the dead and is glorified in Heaven right now.

Questions to consider:

1. How does thinking about the Gospel (And believing in Jesus!) cause us to hope in Him alone?  How does preaching the Gospel to yourself change your perspective from a self-centered hope to God-centered hope?
2. How does thinking about the Gospel (And believing in Jesus!) cause us to pursue holiness?  Why will we be more successful in our pursuit of holiness by acknowledging God’s initiating grace (God-centered hope) than by our own efforts (Self-centered hope)?
3. How does our Gospel-centered, God-centered pursuit of holiness help us in times of suffering?  Did God command us to pursue a lack of suffering or to pursue holiness?  Can you pursue holiness while you suffer?

Today’s passage: 1 Peter 1:10-12

Helpful thoughts:

• The coming of the Messiah was not a new idea.  The Old Testament points to Jesus.
• What the Old Testament prophets only looked forward to and imagined happened right before the Apostles’ eyes and now we look back in history, seeing all of God’s promises kept.
• The Holy Spirit is the agent of revelation, the preaching of the Gospel through the Word of God.
• The Lord’s angels have never experienced salvation from sin…they have not sinned.  God’s work of grace in our lives fascinates them.

Questions to consider:

1. How does the record of prophecies fulfilled and promises kept by God give you assurance and confidence?
2. How did the Holy Spirit bring you the Word for salvation?  How did you hear the Gospel message when you first believed?
3. Are the angels fascinated with how amazing we are because we are Christians or how amazing God is because He saved us?  How does that truth help us to remember to stay humble?