Persecution for the Christian: coming? going? or always there? When things are going great and you feel good–really good–does the idea of being persecuted for being a Christian have any appeal? In the New Testament book we’ve named 1 Peter, how real was persecution to the early Christian believers? Why do you think Peter felt that … Continue reading –>
Read through 1 Peter 3:13-22. How should Christians respond to those who would bring them suffering because of their faith? What is the connection between the sufferings of Jesus and the sufferings experienced by the believers because of their faith? When Peter says, “if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed” (1 Pet. … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 5:10. What is Peter talking about, and how did he tell his readers to respond to what they were facing? For the first few centuries, just being a Christian could result in a horrible death. A letter written to the Roman Emperor Trajan illustrates how precarious the safety of … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 3:13-22, 2 Tim. 3:12, 1 Pet. 4:12-14, Rev. 12:17, 1 Pet. 4:17-19 Memory Text: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21, NKJV). The history of persecution in … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Peter appeals for us to live lives that exemplify love, sympathy, humility, harmony, and compassion. He sees this standard as God’s calling for us. Lesson 5, April 29, 2017 1. Have a volunteer read I Peter 3:8-12. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this … Continue reading –>
“The love that suffers long and is kind will not magnify an indiscretion into an unpardonable offense, neither will it make capital of others’ misdoings. The Scriptures plainly teach that the erring are to be treated with forbearance and consideration. If the right course is followed, the apparently obdurate heart may be won to Christ. … Continue reading –>
Even in the time of Peter, Christians lived with the expectation of the soon return of Jesus and the end of this present world. We know this because in 1 Peter 4:7 he writes: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (NKJV). In other words, … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Living for God” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath School … Continue reading –>
In listing the wrong things that people had done in the past, and that they stopped doing after becoming believers in Jesus, Peter also lists what could be called “sexual sins.” Read 1 Peter 4:3 again. What else does Peter list there? Two words have a distinctive sexual connotation: “lewdness” (aselgia, which means “sensuality”) and … Continue reading –>
In Christ, we have a new life, a new beginning. We are born again. If this means anything, especially for those who accepted Christ after childhood, it must mean that they will live differently than they did before. Who hasn’t heard some incredible stories of those who, having been in the world, experienced a radical … Continue reading –>
Being of “One Mind.” Wouldn’t it be great if we all had the same opinions, the same talents, the same outlook on life and all of its components? “No!” You are probably saying, “That would be boring, useless, and just plain awful.” Of course Peter didn’t advocate deadly uniformity, but what was he talking about when … Continue reading –>
The thoughts in this week’s Sabbath School lesson lends itself to so many wonderful hymns. The first hymn coming to my mind in opening 1 Tim 1:15; Hymn 295, “Chief of Sinners Though I Be”. One of the next thoughts in the Sabbath afternoon introduction to the weeks’ lesson encourages us with the Hymn 258, … Continue reading –>
