First Peter is addressed to Christians facing difficult challenges in their lives. It calls them to continue their struggle in the face of suffering and to be a submissive (not rebellious) people. In this short letter, Peter discusses many important topics: living holy lives, the fear of the Lord, Satan and temptation, persevering in the face of trials, submission to the government, the Holy Spirit, husband-wife relationships, effective prayer, baptism, unity, directions to elders who lead churches (and to those younger in the congregation, who are led by them), loving one another, humility, and our ultimate goal of salvation. Notes are provided for each lesson in this eleven-part series for self-study, reflection, and as a resource to teach others.
Peter’s letter begins with a demolition of the modern so-called "prosperity gospel." He reminds us that our goal is heaven, not a comfortable life here on earth. We can rejoice in the face of suffering, which serves to refine our faith as gold is refined by fire. Peter’s challenges are especially compelling in view of […]
The ‘Spirit of Christ’ was in the prophets, who testified of Jesus' sufferings and the glories to follow. This includes things so remarkable that even angels desire to look into them! Peter’s masterful use of the Old Testament, whether addressing Jews or Gentiles, demonstrates the practicality and usefulness of the Old Testament to us today. […]
Peter calls us to live holy lives, following Jesus, who suffered before entering His glory. One important reason to do this, according to Peter, is because we will be judged by our works. How do we reconcile that with the idea that we are saved by God’s grace? Peter also speaks of the word of […]
The Word that Endures Forever (1 Peter 1:14-2:3) View Lesson
Peter refers to Christians are "living stones" who are being built into a spiritual house for God. He then discusses three Old Testament prophecies about Jesus that refer to Him as a stone. In this lesson, we look at prophecies referencing stones that reveal different aspects of Jesus’ life and mission. These build our faith […]
Peter reminds Christians that we have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. This theme of light and darkness is found throughout Scriptures. With the benefit of other insights from the New Testament, as well as unforgettable quotes from an early Christian writer, we can better appreciate the significance of Peter’s statement. This […]
Peter calls us to "honor the king," to submit respectfully to whatever governing authorities we are under. Paul also spoke about this principle in Romans 13, where he said that these authorities have been established by God. In this lesson we consider the implications of this challenging teaching, in light of Scriptural examples and early […]
Peter gives a sweeping statement that covers the range of our relationships: "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." In this lesson we explore his call for Christians to fear God. Why not call us to love God, instead? Isn’t loving God a much better motivation than fearing Him? Is the […]
Peter calls slaves to submit to their masters. How do we grapple with this disturbing counter-cultural teaching, and how might its principles apply to Christians today? Peter also calls wives to submit to their husbands. Can we dismiss this commandment as a relic from a backward, unenlightened era; or does it still apply in Christian […]
After addressing the wives, Peter turns his attention to the husbands. He calls them to treat their wives with honor and understanding, "that your prayers may not be hindered." We first consider the challenging New Testament teaching for Christian husbands, to lay down their lives in love to meet the needs of their wives. We […]
So Your Prayers May Not Be Hindered (1 Peter 3:7-12) View Lesson
Peter begins by giving us guidance for when we face suffering, including persecution. Yet, are we really being persecuted for the sake of righteousness? Peter then explains that Jesus "preached to the spirits in prison" after His death. We examine how early Christians understood this puzzling passage, and how it sheds light on what happens […]
Persecuted for Righteousness; Hades and Baptism (1 Peter 3:13-22) View Lesson