1 Peter 1
This week, we’re going to focus in on 1 Peter 1. I would encourage you to read through Chapter 1 several times this week, but also focus in on smaller passages each day. Perhaps your reading time could look something like this:
Day 1: 1 Peter 1
Day 2: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Day 3: 1 Peter 1:10-12
Day 4: 1 Peter 1:13-21
Day 5: 1 Peter 1:22-25
As you visit 1 Peter 1 this week… consider the background and context of this book! In 1 Peter, we are hearing from “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” during a time of uncertainty for many Christians (sound familiar?). Many Christians were facing persecution and were exiled from their homes. Peter is speaking to people who previously lived very empty and ignorant, sinful lives (1 Peter 1:14, 18) who came to know Jesus and are now considered “God’s people” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
My challenge to you is to read through 1 Peter 1 several times this week! You can use the daily guide above, or read at your own pace. Take time to read all of Chapter 1 in one sitting so that you can get an overall feel for the chapter, and see more of the big picture, but also give yourself moments of studying smaller sections of the chapter at a time. Look for repeating words that stick out to you and do some browsing online to find out the meaning of those words. Ask the Holy Spirit to meet you during your times of reading and reveal to you more of who God is or where He wants you to grow during your time studying in 1 Peter. Get out a journal and write down your favorite verses, write out a prayer to God, or take notes on what is challenging or encouraging to you as you read and reflect. For some of you, maybe you need to get out some paper or a sketchbook and draw or paint what comes into your heart as you read through 1 Peter. Don’t be afraid to get creative as you study the Scriptures! And of course - create community and accountability as you study your Bible. Text some friends about what you are reading, or hop onto a video call with a few friends to read 1 Peter together and discuss what you are learning. Here are some questions that I love to answer every time I read God’s Word:
What does this passage tell me about God’s character? What did I learn about God when I was reading this?
What challenges or encouragements stick out to me in this passage?
How can I apply those challenges or encouragements to my life? How does God’s Word make a difference in my life today?
I’m so excited to continue digging into 1 Peter with you this month! It feels so timely and encouraging in this season of chaos and uncertainty with living through a pandemic that has completely halted our “normal” daily lives. But it’s my hope and desire that even in this time of “suffering through various trials” that we can allow ourselves to settle into God’s Word in new ways and that our time sitting at the feet of Jesus becomes a new normal even once the world goes back to being just as busy as it ever was!
1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
A few notes of encouragement or suggestions as you study 1 Peter 1:3-9:
Consider pulling up this passage in a few different translations of the Bible so that you can get a more complete picture of what is being said!
Read through this passage with a pen - underline the verses, phrases, or words that stick out to you as you read.
Keep a journal next to you to write down your favorite verses!Look for what the passage says about God… He is showing us more of who He is every time we read.
Ask yourself how this passage will make a difference in your life today!
Is your attitude reflective of JOY?
I would love to hear how you have been challenged by or encouraged by this passage… leave a comment below!
1 Peter 1:10-21
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. If you appeal to the Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, you are to conduct yourselves in reverence during your time living as strangers. For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
I was planning on doing another video to share some of my reflections on this passage, but last night I got a really sore throat and talking isn’t making it any better - so I’m going to try and reserve as much talking energy as possible - and drink lots of hot tea! Seems like a good dreary day for that. So I’m going to dig into this passage with you and share a few things that I’ve been challenged by or questions that you can use as you dig into 1 Peter 1:10-21 for yourself.
With all of this extra time at home, I’ve been trying to be intentional in not just watching shows and movies all of the time and one of the things I have been doing a lot to pass time, is puzzles.
Whenever I start a puzzle, I like to search for all of the edge pieces and set them aside, so that I can work on the border of the puzzle first. Almost every time, it feels like I have lots of edge pieces, then I go to put it all together and feel like I’m missing a dozen pieces! The reality is, I’m usually only missing two or three that didn’t get set aside and are now mixed in with the rest of the pieces. Have you ever put together a puzzle and felt like you were missing a piece? I can’t help but think that this is how Peter and other early Christians must have felt when talking about salvation and the grace that is to come!
If you haven’t already done so, take time to READ 1 Peter 1:10-21.
As you read, take time to look for any repeating words - usually if you see a word over and over, it has some importance within that passage! Circle or underline the words or phrases that stick out to you. Consider getting out a journal and working through some of the following questions:
How would you define ‘salvation’ in your own words? Look up Ephesians 2:8-9 for more context.
What does it mean to set or fix our hope on something?
With what will we occupy our hearts?
In what will we invest our thoughts, energy, and focus?
What does it look like in this season of life for you to “be holy in all your conduct”?
Especially knowing that we are preparing for a unique Easter Sunday next weekend (with being quarantined and all), I have been reflecting more on the last verse in this passage (v. 21) - “Through [Jesus] you believe in God, who raised [Jesus] from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
Take time to thank God for the gift of Jesus!
How does your relationship with Jesus affect your faith and hope in God?
1 Peter 1:22-25
Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly, because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. For
All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.
This may be a shorter passage with only a few verses, but it’s also possibly one of the hardest to put into practice!
What are some unique or creative ways that you are showing LOVE to your family or friends during this quarantine?
