A Different View of SufferingPeter likely wrote this letter to Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor around AD 62-63.Study the Word: Jesus is our example in suffering, in serving others, and in giving glory to God.Key Truth: Believers view suffering as Christ did (1 Peter 4:1-6).  Doing God's will is our highest priority.  As Christ suffered for us, we must be willing to suffer for others.Key...  Read More

1.   In 1 Peter 4:1, Peter connects suffering with the cessation of sins. In verse two he connects that  with our ability to live the rest of our time on Earth for God, not ourselves. In verse four we see how others respond to our turning from sin –surprise and anger. Why does righteous living surprise?  Why does it anger? Does that help you deal with negative comments?      2.  First Peter 4:8 is...  Read More

1 Peter 5:8-14 (HCSB)8 Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your brothers in the world. 10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, an...  Read More

1 Peter 5:1-7 (HCSB)1 Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of the Messiah, and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you: 2 shepherd God's flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God's [will]; not for the money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock...  Read More

1 Peter 4:12-19 (HCSB)12 Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don't be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you.13 Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.  14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory ...  Read More

1 Peter 4:7-11 (HCSB)7 Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. 8 Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If an...  Read More

1 Peter 4:1-6 (HCSB)1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same resolve-because the One who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin - 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God's will. 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing the will of the pagans: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil...  Read More

HIS SPECIAL PEOPLEPeter likely wrote this letter to Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor around AD 62-63.Study the Word: God's people are precious to Him. They are called to grow in Him and glorify Him.Key Truth: Believers grow spiritually through a healthy diet of God's Word (1 Peter 2:1-3).  We depend on God's Word for life and health and strength. Let's avoid spiritual anorexia!Key Truth:...  Read More

1.   Paul starts 1 Peter 2:1 with “so put away...” but that comes AFTER he explained the blessings from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus. We don’t put away our bad attitude, actions, and speech because we must, but because we get to experience God’s love. Does that change your perspective on your problem areas? How? What is an area you need to work on? 2.  One of the greatest words in the Bible i...  Read More

1 Peter 3:8-22 HCSB)8 Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing. 10 For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his...  Read More

1 Peter 3:1-7  (HCSB)1 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the [Christian] message, they may be won over without a message by the way their wives live, 2 when they observe your pure, reverent lives. 3 Your beauty should not consist of outward things [like] elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes; 4 instead, [it...  Read More

1 Peter 2:18-25 (HCSB)18 Household slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel. 19 For it [brings] favor if, because of conscience toward God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if you endure when you sin and are beaten? But when you do good and suffer, if you endure, it brings favor with ...  Read More