Happy Friday and greetings from Bible Study Snacks! Whether it's your first time with us, or if you're a regular follower of this blog, it's great to have you! I am delighted that you will be joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word, and wisdom. As always, I hope you had a great week, and that today finds you in good health, positive in energy, and strong in faith!
This week, we continue the study of The First Epistle of Peter, or 1 Peter. It was written about 60 A.D., and was addressed to all believers in general. Its purpose was to encourage, prompt, and instruct the suffering Christians; also to summon them to personal holiness. The central focus here in Peter's epistle is persecution.
The studies presented here are intentionally brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. It is my ultimate hope that they might inspire you to a deeper study of Scripture!
As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let us pray together...
"Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen"
If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are some things to think about for this week's lesson...
This Weeks Objectives: Participants should be able to...
* note what is necessary in order to grow spiritually.
* reflect upon our privilege and duties as God's special people living as sojourners and pilgrims in a world not our home.
* review our duty to submit to governmental authorities, and to make application of the instructions to slaves in our lives as employees.
For your convenience, here is a summary of this week's lesson, specifically 1 Peter, Chapter 2...
Having described how they were born again by the incorruptible Word of God, Peter admonishes his readers to put aside sinful attitudes and to grow spiritually with an infant-like longing for the Word (1 Peter 2:1-3).
He then depicts Jesus as a living stone, and Christians as living stones. The latter are being built up as a spiritual house and holy priesthood in order to offer spiritual sacrifices through Christ. As foretold in the Scriptures, Jesus is the chief cornerstone that is precious to those who believe, while a stone of stumbling to those who are disobedient.
Christians are called on to proclaim the praises of God as they are now a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people who have now obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:4-10).
As the people of God, Christians are sojourners and pilgrims in this world. Their duties as such involve abstaining from fleshly lusts, and keeping their conduct honorable among the Gentiles (nations) through good works designed to glorify God. They are to honor and submit to governmental authorities, and honor all people while loving the brethren and fearing God (1 Peter 2:11-17).
Christian slaves are told to submit to their masters, even when they are harsh and cause them to suffer grief wrongly. Peter reveals that such submission is commendable before God and follows the example of Jesus whose own suffering delivered us from sin (1 Peter 2:18-25).
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) What must we lay aside to grow spiritually? (1 Peter 2:1)
2) How should we long for the Word if we want to grow spiritually? (1 Peter 2:2)
3) What should motivate us to desire the Word with such longing? (1 Peter 2:3)
4) What kind of stone is used to describe Jesus? (1 Peter 2:4)
5) What two metaphors are used to describe Christians? (1 Peter 2:5)
6) What prophecy foretells the laying of a chief cornerstone in Zion? (1 Peter 2:6)
7) What is Jesus to those who believe in Him? To those who do not believe? (1 Peter 2:6-8)
8) What is the appointed end of those who do not believe and are disobedient? (1 Peter 2:8)
9) How are Christians described by Peter? What is their duty? Why? (1 Peter 2:9-10)
10) What is our duty as sojourners and pilgrims in this world? Why? (1 Peter 2:11-12)
11) What is our duty toward the governments of men? Why? (1 Peter 2:13-15)
12) How are we use our freedom in Christ? (1 Peter 2:16)
13) What four admonitions summarize our duties to others? (1 Peter 2:17)
14) What is the duty of servants to their masters? (1 Peter 2:18)
15) What is commendable before God? (1 Peter 2:19-20)
16) To what have we been called? (1 Peter 2:21)
17) How did Jesus suffer wrongly and bear it patiently? (1 Peter 2:22-23)
18) What good did Jesus accomplish by suffering such abuse? (1 Peter 2:24-25)
After completing this week's study, I encourage you to go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!
As always, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until our next Bible study...
God bless you!
Sheri
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