Off the Shelf Sunday School--1 Peter

The Blessings of Salvation (1:3-5)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

 1.  Peter praises God the Father for his mercy in sending Jesus Christ to reconcile us to himself. It is his love expressed as mercy that has enabled Christians to experience a spiritual birth through faith in Jesus. (Jn 3:16-17; Ti 3:5)

2.  This new spiritual birth is required to enter the kingdom of God. (Jn 3:3)

3.  The presence of the Holy Spirit within provides a new spiritual life that gives believers “living hope” for salvation, perfection and resurrection of the body

4.  This “living hope” is based on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. In other words, because Jesus died for my sins, I am forgiven and able to be righteous with God.

5.  There is hope for a better life in heaven where God promises there will be an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (Mt 6:19-21)

6.  This inheritance is given to each born again Christian. It is guaranteed because it is kept by God himself and it is tailored to each person. (Jn 14:1-3)

7.  Faith is the basis of our assurance. The Holy Spirit within testifies to the truth of our relationship with God through Jesus. (Rom 8:16) Faith is referred to as a shield that provides protection from evil and so it represents God‘s power at work within us.(Eph 6:16) God has promised to protect and keep those who have faith (Ps 32:7-8; Jn 10:27-28).

8.  Faith is what empowers the perseverance of the saints. Christians continue to believe in the truth of the gospel and persist in good works despite sacrifices and persecution. Belief in the promise of salvation and perfection in the resurrection that will be realized “in the last time” motivates disciples. (Rom 6:5; 1 Jn 3:2)

Purpose & Perspective of Suffering (1:6-9)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

  1.  The trials and afflictions of this life come from within and without. Spiritual growth brings an increase in the awareness of our sinful condition and discernment of sinful conditions in the world. This makes us realize our helpless estate and our absolute dependence upon God. Even the aging process of the body testifies to futility of this life and the need to be renewed. (2 Cor 4:17-18)

2.  Why trials are necessary for spiritual growth. (James 1:2-4). The world philosophy is work hard to make something of yourself which is “Do to Be” thinking. This is opposite to that of Christian thinking which is to let your good works flow as you become like Christ though grace imparted and the work of the Holy Spirit within (“Be to Do” thinking).

3.  The benefits of enduring suffering:

a. Trials strengthen and purify faith like fire refines gold.

b. It is through trials that faith is proved to be genuine.

c. God use trials to discipline believers. This is a sign of his love. Believers are his children who are being instructed and trained in righteousness. (Heb 12:5-11)

d. Successful endurance of trials brings joy and praise from God (Mt 25:21)  

e. Faithful endurance of trials makes us more Christ-like resulting in being glorified (2 Cor 3:18; 4:17)

f. Suffering to bring honor to Jesus will bring us honor and glory (Rom 8:17-18)

4.  Today Christians love and believe in Jesus whom we have not seen. How is this possible? This is due to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23)

5.  Believers are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy. What causes this joy? Are there any other human experiences that cause joy like this?

6.  Believers receive blessings from the presence of the Holy Spirit which culminates in the realization of their faith which is the salvation of their souls. The Greek word used for soul is psychon which means the total being. The idea is that faith in Jesus will result in the salvation and glorification of the body, mind and spirit.