Week 12

Monday, March 17

1 Peter 1

         

Commentary

            Like James, Peter writes this letter to Christians scattered all over the place in the Roman empire, during a time of intense persecution. He calls these believers God’s elect, chosen by God, and exiles, far from home. We share this status, and this is important to remember as we make our way in this world. We’re not at home here, so when we don’t feel at home or we are in difficult circumstances, we shouldn’t be surprised. Believers are not home here in this temporal, sinful because our citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven.

We belong to the kingdom of heaven because God has “caused us to be born again” (ESV) in Christ. We could not get to God on our own; indeed, on our own, we do not truly want God. Yet he loves his chosen people, his elect exiles, so much, that he sent his own Son to die for us as the perfect, matchless sacrifice for our sins. If we have come to know Christ through repentance and faith, we have a salvation and an eternal home that can never be taken away. Our purpose is not to find our home and comfort here, but to be royal ambassadors for the King. We do this by being sober-minded, reasonable and thoughtful, being holy, set apart from sin, loving our brothers and sisters, and trusting in God’s Word and his promises to us.

 

Application/Discussion

1. Have you come to know Christ and this rich salvation? If you have, how does knowing God chose to save you, despite your rebellion and sinfulness, encourage you to worship and obey God? How does salvation being a work of God help us stay away from legalism?

2. The angels do not have the same relationship with God as we have. They are not redeemed by God, the ones who sinned were sent away with Satan, and they are not his children. Have you ever considered your privilege compared even to those who live and worship in the very presence of God?

3. Why is the sacrifice of Jesus better than the sacrifice of animals, and why don’t we sacrifice animals anymore?

 

Points of Prayer

1. Thank God for choosing to save us and for the eternal home he will give us.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in pursuing sober-mindedness, holiness, and love.

3. Pray for a lost person from your job or school to come to Christ in salvation.

 

Going Deeper

The word “holy” is one of the most important words in the Bible, but its easy to take this word for granted since we see it so much. To learn more about this vital word, read R. C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God or visit the links below:

·      “The Holiness of God” video lectures:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL30acyfm60fVpGc7Eo--3S6w1kdhXY9Cb

·      Albert Mohler on holiness:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2WICE_mefU

·      https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/what-is-holiness/

Tuesday, March 18

1 Peter 2

 

Commentary

This chapter further dives into what it means to be God’s redeemed people. We should desire spiritual nourishment, spiritual growth and learning, and if we do not, we should question whether we are saved in the first place. Believers are a “chosen race,” a unified people chosen by God for salvation, a “royal priesthood,” those who serve the King by being a mediator or middleman between God and the lost, and God’s people. Peter then discusses sinful things we should “put off” and godly things we should “put on,” to borrow language often used by Paul. We are God’s holy people and royal priests, and our duty involves both forsaking sin and pursuing godliness. The godly conduct Peter calls us to includes being good neighbors and citizens, making the gospel we preach look more appealing and genuinely life-changing so that the lost around us may desire to learn more and come to Christ. Finally, like Christ, we should persevere in hardship, rejection, and persecution, entrusting ourselves and our circumstances to God because he can and will take care of us and ultimately bring us home in victory. We have this certainty only because of Christ, who took the punishment for our sins so that we could be forgiven and live as God’s redeemed and righteous people.

 

Application/Discussion

1. Do you desire spiritual growth? If so, how are you pursuing that? Are you reading the Bible, praying, attending worship services and Bible studies at your church, and so on. If you’re wanting to do more of these things, but aren’t sure where to start, talk to your pastors.

2. Do you think you set a good example for those around you? Are there people in your life who would be surprised if you told them you’re a Christian? Sharing the gospel is a vital part of the Christian life, its not optional. Consider and pray through how you can be a more faithful witness to Christ.

 

Points of Prayer

1. Thank God for bringing us into his family and using us to bring others to him.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in desiring spiritual growth, being a godly example to others, and pointing people to Christ at every opportunity.

3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help your church be faithful prayer warriors and evangelists for your community.

 

Going Deeper

These articles discuss what godly living looks like more in-depth:

·      https://www.crossway.org/articles/take-up-your-cross-live-a-balanced-life/

·      https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-living-for-god-depends-on-good-theology/

·      https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-witness-at-work/

·      https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-build-a-faithful-witness-in-your-workplace

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, March 19

1 Peter 3

 

Commentary

Following what Peter said about Christ’s faithfulness and patience in his hardships, Peter now advises spouses to “likewise” fulfill their roles in their marriages. Wives are to follow their husbands’ leading of the family. This kind of faithfulness is so powerful that it can even win over lost husbands to Christ! Further, what should be most noticeable about a godly woman is not her outfit but her godliness. Godly wives are to follow the example of Sarah, who loved and bore with her husband even when he made mistakes or things were difficult for them. Husbands are to be empathetic and caring towards their wives, recognizing their call to protect and lead while also recognizing their wives are equal to them in personhood and salvation.

All believers are to be unified and point the lost around them to Christ. We should always be ready and willing to share and defend our faith, with gentleness and respect. We should share our faith even when it leads to hardship. Life is hard and we will suffer anyways, why not choose to suffer for what is right and leads the lost to Christ?

The closing verses of this chapter are notoriously difficult to understand. Passages like this because they help us see just how much we need God. There is an important message in these verses. As The New Bible Commentary says, it appears that after his death, Jesus preached to all the dead about “his victory over death and triumph over the power of evil and so confirm the sentence on unbelievers and announce deliverance for believers”[1] Additionally, baptism serves as a representation of how believers are spared from the “waters” of God’s judgement of his enemies. To sum up – Jesus wins, and that means his people do, too!

 

Application/Discussion

1. If you have any questions about this passage, heck out the notes in your study Bible or this online commentary: tgc.org/commentary/

 

Points of Prayer

1. Based on this passage, how should you praise God? How should ask for the Holy Spirit’s help?

2. Pray for the salvation of two lost people you know by name.

 

Going Deeper

If you’d like to learn more about apologetics, the defense of the Christian faith, see these lecture series:

Albert Mohler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch6RA2_i4Wc&list=PLBA1qC8OOEJBmYpxS6NOwc89zpQOPavh_

Ligonier Ministries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn5uHcg8ydo&list=PL30acyfm60fUIouA4z3rgPqQyGrLszFIU

Alister McGrath: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAL-TqQ5YbO3PP4r0kl9nDfqkEBcT3EEn

 

Thursday, March 20

1 Peter 4

 

Commentary

Peter again implores us to resist temptation and prepare ourselves for suffering, with Jesus as our great example. As Thomas Schreiner helpfully explained, “What Peter emphasized was that those who commit themselves to suffer, those who willingly endure scorn and mockery for their faith, show that they have triumphed over sin. They have broken with sin because they have ceased to participate in the lawless activities of unbelievers and endured the criticisms that have come from such a decision. The commitment to suffer reveals a passion for a new way of life, a life that is not yet perfect but remarkably different from the lives of unbelievers in the Greco-Roman world.”[2]

We should live in light of eternity, knowing that Christ may return at any moment. We should love each other – even when its hard! – because, as Sam Storms said, “when love flourishes, we are not easily offended but are willing to endure injustices.”[3] God’s people are supposed to be unified in his worship and his mission, but this unity and work will be impeded if believers are easily offended, quarrelsome, and bitter. We should be loving each other and working together to use our time and gifts to serve God and bring others to him as best we can.

 

 

Application/Discussion

1. Does your life look different because you know Christ? If you’re in a sinful lifestyle or continually unrepentant of sin, you may not be saved in the first place! Examine your heart and your life based on what we’ve been reading the last several weeks.

2. What gifts do you have and how are you using them in your church? If you’re not sure where or how to serve, talk to your pastors.

 

Points of Prayer

1. Thank God for Jesus’ perfect obedience and patient endurance on our behalf.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in resisting sin, serving God, and making the best use of our time.

3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help your church members recognize and use their gifts together and for your pastors to oversee, lead, and preach faithfully.

 

Going Deeper

This article from LifeWay can help you learn more about spiritual gifts and consider where you may be most spiritually gifted:

https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/women-leadership-spiritual-gifts-growth-service

Friday, March 14

1 Peter 5

 

Commentary

Peter wrote in a time of harsh persecution and when believers were wondering how they should honor God in such a culture. Peter tells them to be in awe at the wonder of their redemption, be bold in their faith, live as peaceable citizens, trust in God, and, as we saw last week, walk in humility. Our passage today helps us to see what binds these ideas together and what will give us the encouragement and support we need: the local church and its pastors.

Pastors are sometimes called “under-shepherds” because they serve under the leading and authority of the Chief Shepherd, Christ himself. Pastors should serve eagerly and humbly, not for their own gain or egos.

Just as pastors must have humility and eagerly serve in the office God has appointed for them, the church members must have the humility to listen to and be led by their pastors. We all must have the humility to listen to and be led by God.

          The importance of following God’s leading especially comes out in times of trouble. We should turn to God because he cares for us, our lives, and our emotions and he is bigger than our problems. Further, we must rely on God because we have an enemy who seeks to disrupt our lives and discourage us in our faith. All believers experience some form of temptation and hardship, just as Christ did. However, no matter what we go through in our earthly pilgrimage, it is just a short time compared to the eternity of peace, rest, and joy that will come to all who know Christ.

 

Application/Discussion

1. How do you love and support your pastors? Remember to be in prayer for them and their families, encourage them, and be a committed member of your church.

2. What have you learned through the book of 1 Peter? Are there any passages that stand out to you that you’d like to reference frequently or memorize?

 

Points of Prayer

1. Thank God for Jesus being our chief shepherd by laying down his life for us and saving us.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in being humble, loving, and servant-hearted.

3. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help for your church’s pastors and teachers as they serve as an example to the church and teach the Scriptures.

Going Deeper

If you’d like to learn more about this passage, you can see a sermon I preached a few years ago:

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ugbQbxTbE&t=7s

To dive more into what the Bible teaches about anxiety, see this post on the Family Bible Reading blog:

·       https://familybiblereading.blogspot.com/2025/01/what-god-says-about-anxiety-philippians.html

Saturday, March 22

2 Peter 1

 

Commentary

This letter is the last writing of the apostle Peter, likely written while he was imprisoned and awaiting his execution under emperor Nero. Peter writes to combat false teachers who denied the second coming of Christ and thus lived however they wanted because there would be no judgement for living in sin. As the apostles were dying out, as persecution rapidly increased, and as false teachers infiltrated the church, the Christians of Peter’s day were facing obstacles in every direction. They probably felt discouraged, scared, maybe even doubtful of the truth of the gospel message, of the goodness of God, and of the certainty of God’s return to rescue his people and destroy their enemies. However, Peter assures them that have the same faith and same calling. They don’t need the apostles still alive or peaceful circumstances because they have something far better – God and his salvation.

The light of the gospel and God’s church will continue on. God wants us to pursue life and godliness, and so he has made a way for us to do that. He has made a way by his power – his power over death and sin, his power to overcome our spiritual blindness and stubborn hearts, his power to raise Jesus from the dead – this same power, Paul tells us, dwells in us! (Romans 6:10-11)

We should live out our faith, as God equips us to do, and like Peter, we should aspire to leave a legacy of faithfulness to Christ more than any other accolade. The Bible is true and vitally important – its not a fairy tale or a nice book of morals, it is God’s message to us about how we are doomed to Hell because of our sin and how we need a Savior. Can you really think of anything more important to share with others and build your life on?

 

Application/Discussion

1. Do you sincerely, consistently desire the things of God? Or is church, Bible study, prayer, and the discipline to do these things a chore or a bore to you?

2. Do you make every effort to pursue godliness and live out your faith? What are ways you can be more faithful throughout the net week?

 

Points of Prayer

1. Thank God for saving us through Christ.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand if you have genuine faith in Christ and to either live out that faith or come to genuine faith.

3. Pray for the salvation of two lost people you know by name.

 

Going Deeper

If you’d like to learn more about this book, you can see the sermon series I preached a few years ago:

·      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyo_whq3LX4

·      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpVimTBKr6A&t=1589s

Sunday, March 23

2 Peter 2

 

Commentary

There has always been, and will always be, people who pretend to be part of God’s people and try to lead them astray. False teachers are not simply teachers who are mistaken or misspeak, they are teachers who are deeply and blatantly wrong about core truths of the faith. The false teachers Peter talks about in this chapter were part of the physical church body, and claimed to be part of the church spiritually, and but in their teaching they deny Christ and his redemption. Since the false teachers are claiming to be part of the church, they will make the church look bad to outsides, and since people desire what tickles their ears rather than what is true and godly (2 Timothy 2:3-4), naïve, immature, or stubbornly sinful people in the church will follow them.

Peter uses illustrations from redemptive history to show that the Lord knows how to rescue the righteous and punish the wicked. God’s character is consistent and so is the penalty for sin, so the false teachers will certainly get what’s coming to them. The apostle the harshly condemns the false teachers, calling them useless and damned to terrible punishment. They are like dogs who return to their own vomit – they started off lost and damned to hell, they heard the truth of how to have forgiveness and salvation, and yet chose to reject that message and continue in their hopelessness and rope others into it as well.

          One of the lessons we should take away from this chapter is that we need a mature, robust faith so that we are not easily led astray by false teachers. We also need to be part of churches with strong pastors who will teach the truth, correct and encourage those who are mistaken, and rebuke those who are blatantly heretical and destructive to the church. We should all encourage and help each other so that none may fall into the deception and folly of false teachers.

 

Application/Discussion

1. How do the illustrations of God saving his people and destroying his enemies give you encouragement for times of hardship and conflict?

2. Have you encountered false teachers in your church before, or perhaps been exposed to their teachings in media from friends or family? How did you respond? Looking back, what do you think would be the best way to respond in similar situations?

 

Points of Prayer

1. Thank God that Christ has won the victory over sin and Satan and that he will bring all his people home one day.

2. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in growing in the faith, being engaged in your church, and helping people stay away from false teachers.

3. Pray for the salvation of false teachers you know personally or through their “ministries.” (For example, the prosperity preacher Kenneth Copeland or the head of the Mormon church.)

 

Going Deeper

If you’d like to learn more about this book, you can see the sermon series I preached a few years ago:

·      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHiKYJZnUfQ&t=1619s

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[1] David H. Wheaton, “1 Peter,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1380.

[2] Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 201.

[3] Sam Storms, “1 Peter” in ESV Expository Commentary Volume 12: Hebrews-Revelation (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 348.