March 30
Don't Ask Me, I'm Only Visiting This Planet – 1 Peter 1:1-2 & 2:11-12
Figuring out who we are and why we're here
Peter wants his readers to remember three things:
- First, this world is not our home; we shouldn't be surprised when we don't fit in.
- Second, we are temporary residents; we shouldn't get too attached.
- Third, our true home is heaven; we won't be truly satisfied until we get there.
April 6
What the World Needs Now – 1 Peter 1:3-9
Why Christians should be the most hopeful people anywhere
The future is bright.
It took a resurrection to release Peter from the pain and failure of his past, but he experienced the hope of being born again when Jesus told him, "Follow me."
The future is secure.
We have been promised the inheritance of heaven—one that will never perish, spoil, or fade.
The future is already here.
It's nice to know we have a home in heaven, but most of us don't expect to be going there any time soon. We need hope for today.
April 13
Youth Sunday
April 20
Supporting a growing church
April 27
R-E-S-P-E-C-T – 1 Peter 2:13-25
7 keys to living under authority
Christians are to respect those in authority over them.
Peter's point is that, even though we are strangers in this world, we are to be people who respect those in authority over us.
May 4
Like a Living Stone – 1 Peter 2:4-10
Finding identity, belonging, and significance in the body of Christ
We find identity in the body of Christ.
According to Peter, when we're left to ourselves, we're like dead rocks. But when we come to Christ, we become like living stones.
We find belonging in the body of Christ.
There's a place for you in the body of Christ, uniquely suited for you to match the contours of your life and personality.
We find significance in the body of Christ.
When we come together as a community of faith, we find meaningful work to do: ministry.
May 11
Rediscovering Marriage – 1 Peter 3:1-7
Discover the transforming power of mutual submission
Wives, submit to your husbands.
Submission is not obedience; it's a voluntary decision to put someone else first.
Husbands, submit to your wives.
Peter is telling husbands to understand their wives' needs, wants, and fears, and to be sensitive to them.
Conclusion
Live such good lives among the people that they may see your beautiful marriages and be drawn closer to God.
May 18
Us and Them – 1 Peter 3:8-16
How do we live in the world without becoming part of the world?
Christians are not called to withdraw or attack.
How do Christians live in the world, but not of the world?
Christians are called to witness.
The biblical response to the world around us is neither withdrawal nor warfare. It's witness.
A witness is simply "someone who tells what they have seen or heard."
May 25
Endurance – 1 Peter 4:12-19
Living the Christian life is all about continuing to commit ourselves to following Christ even when it's difficult.
The glory of knowing Christ
When we suffer because of our identification with Christ, we experience an intimacy with Christ that can only be attained through shared pain and hardship.
The glory of showing Christ
We are called to live such good lives among the people that they might see the way we suffer and be ready to meet God on the day he draws near to them.
The glory of being with Christ
Endurance is all about continuing.
