Made for this: living set apart to shine the light of chrisT
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
1 Peter 2:9
Made for this:
living set apart to shine the light of chrisT
In his letter to the early church, the Apostle Peter reminds us that we are chosen, set apart, and called to live lives that look different from the world around us. That calling might feel overwhelming, but Peter assures us: God has made us for this through his letter to encourage churches that were feeling the pressure to stay focused on the mission. This fall we encourage you to bring your Bibles as we walk verse by verse through all five chapters of 1 Peter to rediscover what it means to be formed by Jesus, grounded in hope, and equipped to live faithfully in these days, both as a church and as individuals. We’ll see how topics like holiness, submission, marriage, leadership, and even suffering are not signs of weakness or strangeness, but the very ways God shapes and transforms us. Helping us to confidently believe that we are not here to simply survive in this world, we are here to flourish in His Kingdom because we are “Made for this.” -
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21
Questions to Consider:
What is your understanding of holiness according to the Bible? Do you feel like holiness is something attainable, or out of reach?
How does the world still squash us into its mold as those without Christ and what are some ways we as Christians are called to live differently than the environment we live in.
Peter encourages us to get our minds ready for action. What part does our mind have in a life of faith and obedience?
As Christians, what are the implications of being ransomed out of a life of hopelessness and futility?
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Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12
Questions to Consider:
Do you ever feel out of place because of your Christian values?
To what extent are we living as exiles or, are we quite comfortable in our North American culture?
Examine chapter one, especially verses 3-8 of 1 Peter. What are some of the great resources this chapter gives us to have a living hope in our world today?
Chapter one, verses 6-7 says that suffering and trials benefit our faith. How does or does not this make sense for you?
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Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2
Questions to Consider:When you hear the phrase Made for This, what emotions or thoughts rise to the surface? Excitement? Doubt? Fear? Confidence?
Have you ever felt out of place in your culture or community because of your faith in Jesus? How did you respond?
What’s one part of your life that you’ve struggled to surrender fully to God because you feared standing out or being “different?”
How might seeing yourself more through God’s identity (not just an individual) change the way you live and grow as a follower of Jesus?
How can we encourage each other when following Jesus feels hard, unpopular, or misunderstood?
“BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERY MAN THAT ASKS YOU THE REASON FOR THE HOPE THAT IS WITHIN YOU.” 1 PETER 3:15
“SO THE MAN WENT AWAY AND BEGAN TO TELL...HOW MUCH JESUS HAD DONE FOR HIM. AND ALL THE PEOPLE WERE AMAZED.” MARK 5:20
Share your testimony. When we share our story revealing God’s presence in our lives it gives hope and encouragement to others. Take a moment to tell us your story.PREVIOUS MESSAGE SERIES
