Lessons from the Letters of Peter Chapters 1-3 ( PREPARE TO SUFFER)

Sunday 25 march 2012

Background:

Who Peter is:

Called an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Peter is the best –known Apostle who walked with Jesus; especially in relations to the following events:

1.       The rock dialogue (Matthew 16:13-20)

2.       Walking on Water (Matthew 14:28-31)

3.       Washing of Feet (John 13:2-11)

4.       At the transfiguration of Jesus

5.       Arrest of Jesus (John 18:10; Luke 22:50)

6.       Denial of Jesus

7.       The Empty tomb (John 20:1-9; Luke 24:1-12)

8.       Jesus’ Resurrection appearance (1 Corinthians)

9.       His role in the early Church

a)      At the replacement of Judas Iscariot

b)      At Pentecost

c)       Before the Sanhedrin

d)      At Cornelius house and His instrumentality in the Gospel breaking to the gentiles

10.   His rescue from prison by an angel (Acts 12)

11.   At the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15)

We will turn our attention to His letters/epistles. As one apostle who was very close to Jesus and tasted great commendation, great rebuke, and great restoration from Jesus, we want to learn a lot from his outlook on the Christian faith and the directives that the Holy Spirit issues through him.

Chapter 1: LIVE LIKE ALIENS

1.       Believers are and live as aliens/strangers on earth, because:

a)      Chosen by God to obey Christ

b)      Paid for Christ’s blood and prepared by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

c)       Having a living hope of eternal life (as demonstrated by the resurrection of Jesus)

d)      Counted worthy to suffer grief (joyfully, in expectation of great glory), for their love for Christ.

2.       Believers need to keep in mind that their inheritance in Christ is so great that the ancient prophets carried messages of it to us as mere messengers and angels still want to fully understand it.

3.       Believers ought to prepare their minds for actions, for God who is not partial, knows that He has made us, given us a greater potential to excel than the prophets of old

Find Out

1.       What will I do to feel and live like a stranger in this world?

2.       In what are we better than the believers and prophets who lived before Christ?

3.       Why should we prepare our minds for action, as Peter is instructing?

4.       If we do not prepare our minds for action what will happen to us?

Chapter 2: IN PREPARING OUR MINDS FOR ACTION

Believers must stop satisfying the evils of the old nature (deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander){v 1-3} and tirelessly take in the way of the Spirit as follows:

a)      Believers must recognize that they have a new value as living stones / royal priesthood, like Jesus

b)      Believers must prepare to shine among unbelievers, to turn them to God

i)        As citizens (v 13-17)

ii)       At the work place (v 18-22)

iii)     In relationships (v23)

Find Out

1.       Explain each of the following terms: Deceit; Hypocrisy; Envy; Slander

2.       Explain “Like new born babes...”

3.       What is a Christian’s new value?

4.       What should be our conduct as

a)      Citizens?

b)      At Work?

Chapter 3: LIFESTYLES THAT CHANGE PEOPLE

1.       In marriage, even if your spouse is not good, play your role perfectly to win him/her

2.       In general relationships, be blameless

3.       Christ’s death and resurrection teaches us about our Baptism and sufferings

Find Out”

1.       How can we win souls in Marriage?

2.       How can we win soul with our behaviour towards others?

3.       What is the relationship between the death & resurrection of Christ, and our baptism & sufferings?