TBD

Research:

Problems:

Students are really struggling with their identity. Even thought they believe in God. It stems from a lack of understanding.

Students are comparing themselves to others rather than discovering God in themselves

Students are allowing their challenges and adversity define who they are

Students are being viewed and judged (bullied) and beginning to believe the lies.

Students are discouraged

Scripture: 1 Peter

Peter is the author

Written to the church in Asia Minor

Major theme: Stand firm in the faith in the face of suffering and persecution

It is believed that Peter’s use of “Babylon” is a cryptic name for “Rome”

Asia Minor is regarded as a strong hold of Emperor Worship

The audience would include Jewish Christians but also so Gentile Christians as well

Romans viewed Christians as:

Antisocial

Atheists - for rejecting the gods

Cannibals - claiming to eat Jesus body and drink his blood

Incestuous - for their use of language like “I love you brother” or “I love you sister”

Christianity was the perfect political scapegoat for Emperor Nero. Thus, making it the ideal target for persecution.

Nero was burning Christians as torches at night to light his gardens. Additionally he killed Christians in various other ways.

Nero was viewed as a prototype Antichrist by many first century Christians.

Many Christians in Asia Minor would be discouraged in lieu of the persecution occurring in Rome. Word would have reached them, and Peter is writing to the in a way that it may very well will if not already has.

A messenger would have taken these letter to the surrounding region of Asia Minor where it would have been read, copied and distributed.

The audience was diverse and consisted of man, woman, slaves, elders etc… 4:3-4 suggest that many of them Pre-Christian where involved in the local pagan trade guilds.

At Pentecost there where Jewish visitors who would have heard Peter preach the gospel, converted and brought the message back with them.

Peter is aiming to encourage them and inform them that they are the “New Israel”. They inherit all that God promised his chosen people in the OT

This letter is meant as an encouragement especially those new to the faith. He declares to them the truth and reality of the grace of God in which they can stand firm with every confidence.

Peter see’s Christians in danger of persecution and not prepared for it. This implies that you can prepared for hardship....

Peter is writing as a pastor. The doctrines set out in this letter are those which provide motive for Christian living.

Those who originally received this letter where in danger of losing their way.

There new bond to God was being tested because they where suffering

The situation they where in was probably not what they had expected when they had first heard the gospel.

This experience they where facing had been faced by every generation since then.

Peter’s response to the question of suffering is that it is apart of the faith journey. It test the seriousness of our discipleship. Joines us to our fellow Christians. And will be vindicated on the day of Judgment.

Though we are strangers or foreigners to this world we have citizenship in Heaven

He encourages us to look forward to the day when Christ will return. This encourages us to live for His glory!

Chapter 1 Verse 17 - “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners her in reverent fear.”: Foreigners don’t adopt the ways of a culture that is foreign to them. In fact they embrace their own cultural ways with pride.

In midst of pain we are called to Grow. Considering the growing pains it can become hard to embrace that. Chapter 2 Verse 9 is an encouragement and reminder of the VALUE God places on each of us!

Doctrine of God:

God is sovereign and so He can be trusted

God is Holy and so is to be copied

God is a Father and so His children must live up to the family name

God redeemed His people - our ground for assurance

Doctrine of Christ:

Christ is sinless, obedient, and prepared to suffer to the limit

He died and rose again - our example that we must die to sin and live by His risen power

His work was redemptive, reconciliation, and a substitute as a sin offering

He was predestined for this purpose by the Father’s love

He is the foundation of God’s church

Provides the grounds of faith and hope and inspires to holiness and love

Doctrines of Holy Spirit:

Agent of sanctification

Author of scripture

Enabler of Christian ministry

Encourager of Christians facing persecution

Doctrines of Scripture:

Scripture is authoritative (by the use of Peter’s OT references to support his teaching)

Holy Spirit guided and inspired

Enduring quality

It’s seed by which new birth is effected in human lives as people hear and respond to the preaching of the gospel

The means of Christian growth

Doctrine of the Church:

Peter is of high regard for the corporate nature of the people of God.

Entered into by the individual believer at his or her new birth

Church is God’s building on the foundation of Christ Himself

The church is the inheritor of the blessing promised to Israel

It’s twofold function is to offer worship to God and witness before people.

Eldership has authority and an important function (to encourage the development and use of spiritual gifts by each member).

Doctrine of Last Days:

Peter is looking forward to the last days

Christ is not far away

The church will share in glories upon Christ return

Salvation will be fully realized

Faith will finally be honored

Full extent of God’s grace discovered

Christ glory will be shared

Faithful service will be rewarded

Christ return is a compelling argument for holy living and careful stewardship now.

Rough Outline: