1 Peter, Day 6

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of 1 Peter you might have missed.  Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday
Friday

Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.

• If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
• Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
• Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on 1 Peter on Sunday at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

1 Peter, Day 5 Readings

Christian Suffering and the Duties of the Elders   

Today's first reading offers the summary of the lengthy section of 1 Peter about Christian suffering.  Some people believe that punishment and suffering is a reason to stop certain types of behavior -- this is true if you are committing crimes or causing trouble.  However, if you are being punished because you are a Christian, it is a good thing -- because you likely are being persecuted by society for similar reasons as those for which Christ suffered.

Read 1 Peter 4:12-4:19  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second reading provides explicit teaching to the elders of the congregations, who bear the responsibility for spiritual teaching and, if necessary, discipline.  They should not let this power go to their heads, but instead carry out their responsibilities with humility.  Christians should keep the faith until the time when Jesus returns to offer salvation and eternal peace.

Read 1 Peter 5:1-14  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 today.

1 Peter, Day 4 Readings

Suffering and Grace   

Today's reading provides the punchline of 1 Peter's understanding of Christian suffering -- it is better to suffer than to do wrong.  So Christians must consistently strive to do the right things, regardless of the consequences.  They must keep themselves from making the mistakes of the world and follow Jesus' example.

Even so, Christians will sometimes fall short of perfect obedience to God.  So they should focus on certain things that God values most of all: love, acceptance, service to others.  These behaviors and attitudes can keep Christians from letting a few sins allowing them to slip back into their forward way of life.

Read 1 Peter 3:13-4:11  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Peter 3:13-4:11 today.

1 Peter, Day 3 Readings

Accepting the Authority of Others   

Today's reading provides teaching on Christian obedience.  Having reminded Christians of the need to obey God, it then encourages Christians to obey others in authority as well.  All people must respect the authority of the government; slaves must obey their masters; wives must obey their husbands.  If someone in authority gives an undeserved punishment, they Christian should accept it just as Jesus suffered (on behalf of the Christians who will be saved through him).

This can be a challenging teaching -- and, truth be told, most Christians have modified it through the centuries, arguing that faith should not encourage people to accept abusive relationships and situations.  With such limits, though, the teaching reminds Christians that their first impulse should always be to repay evil with charity and compassion, which both provides a testimony of God's grace and leaves judgment to God alone.

Read 1 Peter 2:13-3:12  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Peter 2:13-3:12 today.

1 Peter, Day 2 Readings

Holy Living in the World   

Today's reading offers more details about how Christians are supposed to live in holy ways.  They are to turn away from their dishonest, human ways, and instead hunger and seek out God's truth exemplified by Jesus.  In doing so, they will allow Christ to mold them into a new kind of people -- God's new, chosen nation.

While they should still live in the wider world, Christians in some ways become outsiders.  They must still maintain good and honorable relationships with their neighbors.  However, they must turn away from the misguided values of society and instead focus on God's values.

Read 1 Peter 2:1-12  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Peter 2:1-12 today.

1 Peter, Day 1 Readings

Hope, Despite Suffering   

Today's reading is the beginning of the first letter of Peter, which offers encouragement and direction to Christians facing trials and persecution.  While it acknowledges the reality of this suffering, it reminds Christians that they should not fear pain and loss because God is protecting their true inheritance in heaven.

Instead of worry or fear, Christians should live in ways marked by holiness.  They should set aside the perishable activities of earth and focus on the imperishable activities made possible by faith in Jesus, including obedience to God and love for each other.

Read 1 Peter 1:1-25  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 1 Peter 1 today.

1 Peter, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 60 - 1 Peter

1 Peter is the first of two letters in the New Testament ascribed to the apostle Peter, the rock on whom Christ said he would build the church.  It is written to a number of congregations, geographically spread through parts of the Roman empire.

Repeatedly, it encourages Christians to endure suffering and persecution, but not to lose faith.  After all, suffering is not an unChristian thing, but the most Christian thing because Jesus himself suffered on earth because of his teaching and his example.

If people are to claim a new identity through Jesus, if they are to become Christians, which is to become a part of God's now chosen nation, they must follow the teaching and example of Jesus in their lives.  Only through such obedience and perseverance can they live up to God's expectations for them and for their lives.

Such faith requires them to endure suffering and punishment with patience and grace.  They must accept the authority of others -- not just in the church, but those who have authority in the wider culture too.  They must turn away from the mistakes and sins of humanity and focus on the principles of faith taught by Jesus -- love, service to others, and obedience to God.  The reward for such faith is salvation and eternal peace.