Session 4
1 Peter 2:11-17,21-25
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 2:16
Why should we live holy lives?
In the immediate context of 1 Peter 2, the apostle stated that believers should pursue holiness because it’s God’s will.
Broad and true. Yet there is more to Peter’s reasoning.
By and large, holy living is often unobjectionable living.
In Peter’s view, unbelievers were far less likely to cause Christians trouble if Christ followers’ behavior was admirable, even if it was controversial.
In addition, such behavior could lead some to embrace the faith.
No less important is Peter’s expectation that holy living unites the church.
In the genuine pursuit of holiness, everyone wins.
When a pickup truck pulled out on the street, a van coming down the road was forced to make a sudden stop to avoid hitting it.
The driver of the van, visibly angry, exited his vehicle, approached the truck driver, and began to berate him with some very direct words.
A passenger in the van was forced to physically restrain the van driver and direct him back into the van.
Only after offering some additional parting words did the driver return to the church van he was driving. (PSG, p. 37)
this session focuses on what it means to be God’s people living in a hostile world.
Write WWJD on the board
encourage adults to share what they think it means.
write What Would Jesus Do? on the board.
Invite the group to share when they first heard this phrase and its impact on their faith.
Identify the areas Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1.
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
who are chosen
Reflect on why these cultures were hostile toward Christians.
Note that Peter essentially was challenging his readers to consider what Jesus would do.