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Hope Away from Home

1Peter-FB

How do we live as Christians in a world that is not our home? 1 Peter answers this question. Even though we live in relative ease as Christians in American society, if we’re trying to bear witness at all for Christ, we will face trials of various kinds (1:6). This may not involve physical persecution; but it could include social persecution. And that’s what Peter’s original audience was facing. They were slandered, reviled, insulted, and reproached (2:12, 23; 3:9, 16; 4:14). In the midst of such opposition, it’s easy to shrink back from following Christ; but we are called to stand firm, not to shrink back (5:12).

To encourage his readers to stand firm, Peter reminds them of the true grace that is theirs in Christ (5:12). He reminds them of who they are and where they’re going. They are the elect people of God (1:1). They are a holy people. And this world is not their home; they are exiles (1:1). But they have a living hope and an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven (1:5-6). This hope away from home should motivate them to not shrink back but to keep their conduct honorable in this world and to be holy as God is holy (1:14-17). This involves rightly ordering our relationships with the government and in our homes (2:11-3:7), and giving an answer for the hope that is in us (3:15). Above all, we can rejoice in the midst of our trials because of the promises in the gospel (4:12-19). We hope this letter encourages you in faithful witness in this world.

How to Prepare for Sunday

To get the most out of our time in 1 Peter, we’d like to encourage you to fully engage in this series. Here are some ideas for engaging the book as we continue.

Get a grasp on the whole letter. There is no substitute for getting a grasp of the whole letter than to simply read it through regularly. You may set a goal to read the whole letter once each week. Additionally, you may want to watch the Bible Project video on 1 Peter (see below). You may also read the introduction to the letter in your study Bible if you have one.

Read the passage ahead of time. Each week we list the passage for the following Sunday in the bulletin. Read the passage ahead of time and begin to formulate questions of the text. This will help you to get the most out of the sermons.

Join a Community Group. If you’re in a community group, come prepared to discuss the implications of the letter for your life. Community groups provide a space where we can challenge and encourage one another to faithfully respond to God’s Word in community. If you’re interested in joining a community group, you can contact Pastor Jordan Green. (Learn more about groups>>>)

May God use this letter to strengthen your faith and your witness and to increase your worship of the blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:3).

Series Schedule
Feb. 2 - 1 Peter 1:1-12
Feb. 9 - 1 Peter 1:13-21
Feb. 16 - 1 Peter 1:22-2:10
Feb. 23 - 1 Peter 2:11-25
March 1 - 1 Peter 3:1-7
March 8 - 1 Peter 3:8-22
March 15 - 1 Peter 4:1-11
March 22 - 1 Peter 4:12-19
March 29 - 1 Peter 5:1-14