Living Hope in a Suffering World: A Guided Reading of 1 PeterНамуна

Verse to Memorize: 1 Peter 1:3

Summary:

The apostle Peter begins this letter to first century believers scattered throughout Asia Minor by identifying them in two very different ways. On one hand, Peter recognizes that these believers are resident “aliens” who are rejected by the culture and communities where they live. Yet on the other hand, God has “chosen” them and they experience the unique work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in each of their lives. Ultimately, Peter writes the letter to encourage his audience to endure present persecution in light of their future hope and salvation.

Questions to Ponder:

What activity of each member of the Trinity is described in this passage?

Why does Peter refer to his audience as “aliens” (see 1 Peter 2:11; Psalm 39:12; Hebrews 11:13)? How does this fit with the purposes and situation of the letter?

Why does Peter in verse 4 describe the believer’s “hope” and “inheritance” as “imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away" (1 Peter 1:4 NASB)? How would this truth have been uniquely encouraging to these believers in their light of their present situation?

If someone asked you to describe yourself, what would you say? In other words, what is your primary identity and on what is it based (i.e. vocation, achievements, roles and responsibilities, relationships)? How would your identity be different if you saw yourself as primarily “chosen” by God and a “stranger” in this world?