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1 Peter
Overview
■ Authorship: Apostle Peter
■ Recipient: Christians scattered throughout five Roman provinces of the peninsula of Asia Minor (Today’s Northern Turkey, 1:1 — "strangers")
■ Date: ~ A.D. 63 – 64
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Before or shortly after the beginning of Nero’s persecution of the church in A.D. 64
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Peter’s martyrdom ~ A.D. 67
■ Place: Rome (“Babylon” — 5:13)
■ Purpose: To Encourage Christians to face persecution so that the true grace of Jesus Christ would be evidenced in them (5:12)
■ Theme: Holy living in a hostile world; hope in the midst of suffering
*Charts from Talk thru the Bible by Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa
1 Peter 1
Be joyful, be holy, and be loving!
Which part of 1 Peter 1 inspires you the most?
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Be Joyful: Since God has given us new birth into a living hope of His inheritance in heaven (vv.3-5), we could rejoice even though we may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials (v.6). Have you encountered any trials recently? How then could that “living hope” give you joy in the midst of your trials? Pray and hand over your hardship to Jesus, knowing that trials will refine your faith (v.7).
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Be Holy: We have to discipline our minds and pursue holiness because God is holy. Examine your life and see if there are areas that you may have yielded to temptation. Pray and ask God for His forgiveness, as well as His empowerment as you encounter trials and temptations in your life.
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Be Loving: Peter reminded his readers to love one another deeply from the heart (v.22). Have you encountered someone whom you find hard to love? Why? Commit these relationships to God and pray that you could learn to love one another genuinely from the heart.
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Your own insight: (fill in yourself)
Meditation and Application:
Meditate on the above questions along with the necessary actions. Focus on the living hope that God has given us, and how it would affect us regarding trials, holiness, and love.