1 Peter - Part 1

We’re setting off on a new adventure together! For 9 weeks we’ll be looking at the First Epistle Peter wrote, learning about it’s history, it’s themes, and what the Holy Spirit continues to say to us today through this important letter. Peter wrote it during a time when Christians were being mocked, belittled, and sidelined for their beliefs. The Roman empire wasn’t openly arresting and attacking Christians but instead was intimidating them. The letter was written to encourage Christians to stand strong, keep their eyes set on their future hope, and live well in an age of discrimination. Sound familiar? 1 Peter has an important message for us to hear, so let’s listen to what God is saying to us!

The Separation of Saints Peter and Paul, Giovanni Lanfranco (1582–1647). Public Domain

Anchor Texts:

1 Peter 1:1-12 NLT - Greetings from Peter

Questions to Ponder:

1. First of all, I would love to hear your questions. For this series you will be able to find the readings for the coming Sunday on this worship companion blog and in the Friday 5 church email. I strongly encourage you to read the passage beforehand and I would love for you to get in touch with me and give me your questions! I would love the chance to address them (without naming you, don’t worry!) On Sunday mornings to help others who are wondering the same things you are.

2. Would you say 1 Peter 1:2 is a claim about the Trinity or not?

3. What do you think the foreknowledge of God the father means? What does the sanctification of the spirit mean? What does obedience to Jesus mean? Try to put these in your own words.

4. Why does Peter call it a living hope and not just hope? What's the difference?

5. Peter says that you have not seen Jesus but you love him and trust him and rejoice in him (v.8). Yet in what ways have you experienced Jesus in your life recently?

Art to Get You Thinking:

Here are a few symbols that depict the Trinity. Which ones do you think are most helpful? Are there problems you see with any of them?

The Theme in Song:

This week we are all about getting into the big idea of 1 Peter. That means understanding that Peter is writing to a bunch of Christians out there on the fringes of the Roman Empire who are being persecuted and sidelined and his message to them is stand firm and remember where your hope is rooted!

This song written by new life church in Arkansas is all about trusting God through the various trials that grieve us now knowing that in the end our faith will result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ!