1 Peter 1:13-25 "Be holy because I am holy"

 1 Peter 1: 13-25 "Be holy because I am holy" Outline & Key points: 1) Since the dawn of civilization, humans have needed rules, laws, and regulations to mediate the relationship between each other and other entities. Rules also have a key role in building and sustain cultures and societies. a. Think about the rules, routines, and habits that you regularly follow, how do you think these principles help you to be more 'holy'? 2) Strangeness of the O.T. Rules in context with the passage in Peter. (See Leviticus 11 & 19) a. Many of the regulations that are given to the Israelites seem strange to be made into a law. b. The law was one way to separate the people of Israel from their neighbors c. By keeping the law, God would deem them 'holy' in the sense that they were being separate from others and not falling into the Sin or Evil practices of their neighbors. d. Question: Think about Deuteronomy 22:11. Look at several strange laws in the O.T. and try to see if you can make a direct or symbolic connection to the N.T. 3) Understanding the Word Holy & the Israelite cultural practices of Clean & Unclean. a. Holy can have several related connotations i. To be set apart ii. To be dedicated for a specific purpose iii. To be pure iv. To be the highest thing, untouchable, clean from blemish or defect b. Clean & Unclean - Holy & Profane. The Israelite culture was permeated with the ideas of being ritually clean in order to be able to come closer to God. Question: Look at several instances in other places in the O.T. where "Holy" would be a good way to describe the action taken. See the following verses (1 Samuel 1:21-24),(2 Samuel 6:1-7),(Exodus 3:1-17), and explain why they would be considered holy. 4) Main reading and application: 1st Peter 13-19 a. In this passage Peter is trying to move people from their own desire to God's desires. b. He insists that we not be conformed to the desires they had in their ignorance. c. He connects the O.T. Passages in Leviticus 11 & 19 to this on through the quote "Be holy, because I am Holy" d. He suggests that the Father will judge the work of each impartially, and so one must conduct themselves with fear during the time of their exile. e. Reminds them that silver and gold does nothing in terms of their salvation only by the blood of Christ . f. Notice the O.T allusion to the Passover by the analogy of Christ being a lamb without blemish. Application: What do you think it means not to be conformed to your desires? Confront one or some of these desires (prayerfully or in your group) and share how you have been struggling with or overcoming said desires so that you will move closer to God. Example desires: Gluttony, envy greed, avarice, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath. Optional Question: Scholars are divided in determining whether the book was written to Jews who became Christians or Gentiles. Compare how might the passage be interpreted if seen through a Gentile and also a Jew? Optional Question: How are we, living out our life in our time of exile? Optional Exploration: There is a remarkable similarity with 1 Peter 1:20-21 and John 1h. Optional Exploration: Read the poem found - 1 Peter 1:24-25. What do you think is the meaning of the poem in contrast to "the word of the Lord Endures forever"?