Session 1
1 Peter 1:3-12
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 1:5
Recognizing the suffering that the early Christians were experiencing and its impact on their faith, 1 Peter powerfully reinforced the truth that suffering, while admittedly difficult, is entirely normative for Christians who find their ultimate citizenship in the new heaven and new earth. As temporary residents in this world, Christians should not be surprised when the worldly culture scrutinizes them or even persecutes them for their faith.
The first two verses of 1 Peter, one long sentence in the original Greek, effectively sums up the letter in its entirety. The passage galvanizes Christians in an increasingly hostile culture. Knowing that our heavenly home is an eternal destination keeps us moving forward and reflecting the holiness of God. As you prepare to lead this session, consider how hard times have helped you grow in your faith. Ask God to help you trust Him more deeply and for Him to show you ways you can communicate these truths well in the Bible study time.
If we are honest, many of us struggle to keep hope alive. We hope of a better or more fulfilling job. We hope that a family member struggling with addiction will find help. We hope to have the finances to pay off student loans or make ends meet in retirement. Even those who walk with Christ sometimes find it a challenge to keep hope alive. Circumstances threaten to steal it. How do we keep hope alive when everything around us opposes it? (PSG, p. 10)
Church tradition claims the apostle Peter as the author of this epistle. Weighing all of the evidence, there are no substantive reasons to deny Peter�s authorship, and many legitimate reasons to embrace it. He likely wrote it shortly before his death, as Nero�s intense persecution of Christians began around AD 64. All of this is consistent with the content in the letter related to persecution.
While Rome was instigating abuse of believers, Peter�s readers in Asia Minor (areas like Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia) were suffering and experiencing persecution for their faith at the local level. The text does not indicate how the gospel made its way to this region. In Acts, Paul sought to evangelize this territory, but he consistently was turned back by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-10). Eventually, he was commanded to take the gospel in the other direction-to Macedonia in Greece.
While we do not know how these believers in Asia Minor came to accept Christ, we do see the results of their decision. They were being discriminated against and mistreated. Eventually, local attacks were formalized and gained the approval of the Empire at large. Writing from Rome, Peter urged them to avoid faltering in their faith.
To this end, Peter emphasized two primary truths. First, he reminded his readers of their �living hope� thanks to their personal relationship with Christ (1 Pet. 1:3-9). As children of God, they were held by a Lord who could not let them go, regardless of the pressures and pains they might experience. What�s more, their suffering helped them become more like Him. That would allow them to fulfill their greatest mission: bringing honor and glory to Christ.
Second, he assured them that salvation was an outworking of God�s plan across the centuries (1:10-12). Rather than some impulsive act, God had been setting the stage for Jesus�s life, death, and resurrection before time began. Prophets had spoken of such faith, so the believers in Asia Minor could know that God was always in control. No one could change that.
The gospel they had received was rooted in the character of God and validated by apostolic authority. This amazed even the angels in heaven (1:12). Since salvation is the gift of God, the temporary sufferings they were experiencing would have little impact in the long run.
Peter used this argument for the validity of faith and the need for perseverance to set up a recurring theme in his writings: holiness (1:13-25). Believers serve a holy God and are called to reflect His holiness. Again, persecution provided an excellent context for showing the world what Jesus was really all about.
Read 1 Peter 1:3-12 in your Bible. Circle all the certainties Peter mentioned in the passage that would keep hope alive in a believer�s life. (PSG, p. 11)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being guarded by God�s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
(v. 3) Blessed: The term means to celebrate with praises, and Peter wasted no time in making this attitude a key theme in the epistle. His opening words offered praises to God; and in so doing, modeled for the suffering Christians of Asia Minor the very thing that he was challenging them to do. Peter went on to list many reasons why he praised God (vv. 3ff). The primary motivation should be the salvation believers receive through Christ.
(v. 3) New birth: Peter is unique among New Testament authors in using this Greek word (anagennesas) to describe the regeneration of those who come to faith in Christ. This new birth is something that only God initiates and executes. In the same way that one cannot take credit for being physically born, no believer can take any credit for receiving a new birth in Jesus Christ. As Paul stated, it is not a result of works, but a gift of God�s grace (Eph. 2:8-9).
(v. 3) Living hope: Biblical hope is confidence in God�s work, even when it cannot be discerned (Heb. 11:1). As such, hope is not a passive wish. It is a living and active reality. It is complete in the eyes of God and, eventually, will be complete in our own limited human understanding. The Greek wording for living hope conveys the idea of continuous action. God is always at work on behalf of His people.
(v. 4) Imperishable, undefiled, and unfading: In contrast to a world that is perishing, defiled, and fading, the new heaven and the new earth cannot be corrupted or spoiled. Earth�s most valuable elements are those that do not corrode easily, but even they are subject to decay. The new heaven and new earth will never fade because they are rooted in a God who never changes.
(v. 5) Revealed in the last time: God�s salvation means that believers will escape His wrath in the last time. This reminds Christians that salvation in much more than a past event. It�s also a present reality and, even more, has important implications for eternity. Peter highlighted this �future perspective� by emphasizing God as the Author of both the salvation and the future judgment.
Spend time praying Scripture using 1 Peter 1:5. Read the verse, then respond to these questions:
Thank God for guarding your salvation by His power. Ask Him to help you reflect a �future perspective� that points others toward Him.
During the session, invite adults to pray this Scripture, as well. You and the adults in your group can also take advantage of the Explore the Bible Prayer Guide on page 18 of the Personal Study Guide.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith-more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire-may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,
9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The greater context of persecution and suffering for one�s faith speaks volumes about what ultimately drives us to worship God. It is not our circumstances or our emotions, though those things certainly play a part. Ultimately, who God is and what He has done through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus lead us to praise Him.
(v. 6) Rejoice . . . suffer grief: The end times hope of Christians has a present day reality. Given what God is keeping and guarding for us, we can and should rejoice in our present circumstances. Even the suffering that we experience in this world cannot keep us from ultimately rejoicing in this world, given how wonderful our final home is.
The text does not imply that suffering should be enjoyed or that we should downplay the evil associated with it. Instead, we should not allow suffering to steal our joy. Indeed, suffering validates our faith. We do ourselves and others a disservice if we suggest that Christianity eliminates suffering. Indeed, we may experience more pain for righteousness, but we can rejoice because we become more like Jesus in the process.
(v. 6) Various trials: The word various highlights not a number of trials (as in �many� or �multiple�) but a variety of trials (as in different �sorts� or �types�). That our sufferings take different forms implies more than a few occurrences, but Peter�s emphasis was on validating the different kinds of suffering these believers had endured-and would endure-as a result of their faith in Jesus. A quick survey of the lives of believers throughout the Old and New Testaments reveals that some were executed (2 Chron. 24:20-22; Acts 7:54-60; 12:1-2), stoned (14:9), mocked (Luke 23:11), insulted (Ps. 69:9), slandered (Rev. 2:9), threatened (1 Kings 19:1-2; Acts 4:21), and imprisoned (Jer. 32:2; Mark 6:9).
(v. 7) Faith-more valuable than gold: Suffering for one�s faith strengthens and validates one�s faith. Such an approved faith is extremely valuable in the same way that gold is extremely valuable. Of course, such a faith is more valuable than any material riches given its eternal and holy nature. But it is like gold in that genuine faith is refined through the fire of suffering.
It is understandable that believers would not willingly choose to suffer; but we can recognize that suffering for the sake of the faith simultaneously validates and refines our faith.
(vv. 8-9) Love . . . believe . . . rejoice: While Peter never downplayed the negative emotions associated with suffering, he recognized that such struggles do not define followers of Christ. Jesus�s love for them and their love for Him define who they are.
This love is accompanied by belief-a faith that will be validated upon Jesus�s return. The deep joy that such believers embrace is tied both to the love they have for Jesus in the present and the �already, not yet� eschatological convictions they hold. Their confidence in the future informs how they respond to challenges in the present.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you, searched and carefully investigated. 11 They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when he testified in advance to the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
(v. 10) The prophets: Peter referred to the Old Testament prophets and how their view of God related to the person of Jesus. While the prophets certainly were speaking about events in their own time, Peter stated that those prophets were also making messianic predictions about Jesus�s suffering and exaltation.
Under God�s inspiration, these messengers knew �what� even if they didn�t know exactly �when� the Messiah would arrive. They sensed that they would not experience the completion of God�s Word in their lifetimes, but they were willing to invest in the work all the same. As a result, they searched and carefully investigated God�s plan for His people. Their preparatory work for God�s people came to fruition in the person of Jesus.
(v. 11) Spirit of Christ: The Old Testament prophets did not speak of their own accord or through any kind of wisdom that they had created on their own. Rather, they were inspired by the Spirit of Christ. This truth gave Peter�s audience (and readers today) all the more confidence in their faith.
Revelation, not speculation, provides the fuel for genuine faith. This is even more important in the midst of persecution. One convincing argument for the resurrection of Jesus is that the apostles would never suffer and die for a myth or hoax. Believers can rest in the assurance that their faith is true and that their suffering is not wasted.
(v. 11) Sufferings . . . glories: The Jews believed that the Messiah was coming as a conquering king. As such, it was difficult for them to comprehend a Savior who would suffer, much less die. But Peter emphasized that the prophets looked ahead to both the sufferings and the glories of the Messiah. They understood that the Messiah�s greatest glory would be revealed in the sufferings He experienced. Of course, Jesus fulfilled this on the cross, as noted by the apostle Paul in passages like Philippians 2:5-11. Christ suffered for the redemption of the human race, but the Father exalted Him and gave Him the �name that is above every name.�
While Peter would go into more detail about the authority and inspiration of Scripture later, he set the stage for it in these verses. Two facts validate the Source and authority of both the Old Testament and New Testament. First, the words of the Old Testament prophets were fulfilled in Christ. In the law, the sign of a true prophet was that his predictions came true. Second, Peter highlighted the work of the Holy Spirit in moving the prophets. The gospel, predicted by prophets and fulfilled by Christ, was delivered from heaven and drew its authority from the Spirit. These factors continue to substantiate the inspiration and reliability of Scripture today.
(v. 12) Angels long: The net result for Peter�s audience, including us, is that we get to enjoy the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies. We receive the benefit from a privilege so profound and mysterious that Peter said even angels want to know more about it. The Greek word translated as long is epithymesin and is most often used to communicate an intense desire that cannot be ignored. Angels cannot experience salvation the way humans do, but they understand (and are amazed by) the incredible grace and mercy that God pours out on His people.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 18 of the Personal Study Guide:
Call for volunteers to share which statement resonates most deeply with them. Challenge the group to identify practical ways they can apply these truths to their lives and share them with others this week. Point out that the Christians in Asia Minor were experiencing persecution for their relationship with God.
Guide the group to discuss the first question set on page 18 of the PSG. Identify ways suffering can create hope and how believers can support one another in times of suffering.
Lead adults to continue using the prayer prompts for 1 Peter 1:5. Close in prayer, asking God to help adults know how to face suffering His way.
Reinforce the session by texting the group during the week and thanking them for participating in the group session. Encourage them to maintain a living hope that strengthens their faith and brings glory to Christ. Urge them to pray for one another as they face the challenges of living in a fallen world. Invite them to share special requests with you and let them know that you will be praying for them.
Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed. (See John 14:1-3; 1 John 3:2.)
Use multiple Scripture passages to better understand how Christians respond to suffering for their faith.
Peter wrote his first letter to encourage Christians in Asia Minor who were being persecuted for their faith. He spoke to the way that such suffering would position them to see God at work and also prove their character. Read the following Bible passages and take note of what they teach about the character and work of God in the midst of suffering. Note also how Christians should respond while suffering for their faith: Matthew 5:10-12,44; Acts 4:13-22; Romans 8:35-37; 2 Corinthians 12:10; James 1:2-4,12; and Revelation 3:11.