Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3-16 or 1:3-12
International Sunday School Lesson
May 5, 2013
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
Without out a doubt the words we are studying in our scripture were written to encourage the recipients of this letter. We read this in Peter’s own words 1 Peter 5:12a, “I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.”
That really is a summation of what we are reading today. In today’s scripture we see Peter encouraging his readers, his testimony about their hope of salvation and finally his call to action.
Another thing he did though was to remind. In our roles reminding is something we do so often that perhaps we forget how necessary it is for ourselves.
Have you ever considered that words such as Peter’s that tell us what we have to look forward to might help even years later after being reminded of this rather than trying to impart that truth when the grief of a trial is occurring?
I for one know that I am not as prepared for what lies in store had I been more self-controlled as Peter reminded. What’s more, I know I am not alone. People every day come to faith in “rocky places” but they quickly fall away when trials come along. Not so, as you know from this parable of the Sower from Matthew 13, is the seed in the good soil.
We not only need to concentrate on those new to the faith but the established as well. Really that is why Sunday School is so important especially when it involves more than showing up. Preparation by the student is just as important as it is for the teacher.
But Peter is talking of more than that in verse 13 when he said, “prepare your minds for action.” He is talking about a through involvement by you a disciple of Christ.
It is not enough that we go to Sunday School and Church. We have to actively improve ourselves by looking less and less like the world. We have to be involved in our faith outside the church and I firmly believe the more holy we become the more success for the kingdom we will help bring about. Accomplishing what Peter writes in the next chapter, “being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
I don’t know about you but I don’t think we are rising to that level if all we do is show up once in a while. Just a friendly reminder for you and me!
For Discussion:
1. Read all of 1 Peter
2. Notice the not included 1 Peter 1:2 which clearly shows the Trinity
3. Discuss why Christians lose hope like anyone else
4. Discuss the proving of faith in 1:7
5. When considering 1:8 consider John 20:29
6. With regard to 1:13 according to the NIV the Greek word for action “is a graphic call for action. In the language of the first century it meant that the readers should literally gather up their long, flowing garments and be ready for physical action.”
7. Discuss how you might remind other Christians
5-12-13: Sure Hope aka Equipped with Hope 2 Peter 1:2-15, 20, 21 or 1:4-14
5-19-13: Active Hope aka Hope through Stewardship 1 Peter 4:1-11
5-26-13: Patient Hope aka Hope in the Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3:3-15a, 18 or 3:1-15a
6-2-13: Worship and Respond aka Holy, Holy, Holy Isaiah 6:1-8
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved
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