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Text: 1 Peter 5:6-11

In this text, Peter concludes his letter by explaining the Christian response to suffering. The themes of suffering and hope are woven together throughout the letter as Peter seeks to encourage Christians in the midst of trials. In this letter, he has reminded them of several very important realities for the Christian:

  • God has both caused his people to be born again and is keeping them for a future salvation that will be experienced in full on the last day (1:3-5).
  • He has ransomed a people for himself from our “futile ways” through the blood of Jesus (1:18-19) who suffered in our place by bearing our sins (2:24; 3:18).
  • He has shown mercy to his people, setting them apart to make Him known (2:9-10).
  • The willingness of Jesus to suffer for our sins produces in believers a desire to put away sins so as to live Godly lives (4:1-2).
  • The suffering of Christ means His people will suffer as well (4:13) which God wills for his people (4:19) to test and strengthen our faith (1:6-7).

These themes come together in 5:6-11 where Peter makes the point that trust in God produces endurance that will culminate in exaltation for God’s people. This being so, Peter encourages us to resist the temptation to despair by trusting that God will bring his people through suffering to eternal glory.

Here are a few questions to help you work through this text:

  1. Peter gives five commands in this passage. What are they?
  2. Peter says to “humble yourselves” in V. 6. Considering V. 7, how does Peter expect believers to do this? How is this humbling oneself “under the mighty hand of God”?
  3. What comfort does Peter say believers have in casting our anxieties on the Lord?
  4. What does it mean to be “sober-minded”? Why is this important in light of what Peter’s say about the devil “seeking someone to devour”?
  5. What is the purpose in Peter bringing up the suffering of other Christians around the world?
  6. What is the basis for the Christian hope in suffering?
  7. How does this affect how you/your family respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic?

For more resources, check out Tom's weekly blog posts with helpful tools and resources:

Family Worship Resources: https://www.emmanueltuscaloosa.org/blog/post/this-week-in-family-worship-

Songs for Sunday: https://www.emmanueltuscaloosa.org/blog/post/what-were-singing-march-29

 

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