The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: 1 Peter: How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times

THE WIERSBE BIBLE STUDY SERIES: 1 PETER

Published by David C Cook

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David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

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All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations in this study are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc™. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public Domain.)

In the Be Hopeful excerpts, unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © Copyright 1960, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®.

All excerpts taken from Be Hopeful, second edition, published by David C Cook in 2009 © 1982 Warren W. Wiersbe, ISBN 978-1-4347-6743-1.

ISBN 978-1-4347-0375-0

eISBN 978-1-4347-0467-2

© 2011 Warren W. Wiersbe

The Team: Steve Parolini, Karen Lee-Thorp, Amy Konyndyk, Nick Lee, Jack Campbell, Karen Athen

Series Cover Design: John Hamilton Design

Cover Photo: Veer (PHP3041020)

First Edition 2011

Contents

Introduction to 1 Peter

How to Use This Study

Lesson 1

Born for Glory (1 Peter 1:1–12; 5:12–14)

Lesson 2

Holiness (1 Peter 1:13–21)

Lesson 3

Togetherness (1 Peter 1:22—2:10)

Lesson 4

Submission (1 Peter 2:11–25)

Lesson 5

Love and Blessings (1 Peter 3:1–17)

Lesson 6

Lessons from Noah (1 Peter 3:18–22)

Lesson 7

Time and Trials (1 Peter 4)

Lesson 8

A Good Shepherd (1 Peter 5)

Bonus Lesson

Summary and Review

Introduction to 1 Peter

From Trials to Hope

Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were going through various trials. The apostle knew that a severe fiery trial was just around the corner, and he wanted to prepare believers for it. After all, what life does to us depends on what life finds in us.

For the most part, Christians in the Western world have enjoyed comfortable lives. Our brothers and sisters behind iron and bamboo curtains have suffered for their faith. Now there is every indication that the time is approaching when it will cost us to take a stand for Christ. The only comfortable Christian will be a compromising Christian, and the believer’s comfort will be costly.

Prepare, Don’t Despair

Peter has given to us a precious letter that encourages us to hope in the Lord no matter how trying the times may be. Down through the centuries, the church has experienced various fiery trials, and yet Satan has not been able to destroy it. The church today is facing a fiery trial, and we must be prepared.

But, whatever may come, Peter is still saying to each of us: Be hopeful! The glory is soon to come!

—Warren W. Wiersbe

How to Use This Study

This study is designed for both individual and small-group use. We’ve divided it into eight lessons—each references one or more chapters in Warren W. Wiersbe’s commentary Be Hopeful (second edition, David C Cook, 2009). While reading Be Hopeful is not a prerequisite for going through this study, the additional insights and background Wiersbe offers can greatly enhance your study experience.

The Getting Started questions at the beginning of each lesson offer you an opportunity to record your first thoughts and reactions to the study text. This is an important step in the study process as those first impressions often include clues about what it is your heart is longing to discover.

The bulk of the study is found in the Going Deeper questions. These dive into the Bible text and, along with helpful excerpts from Wiersbe’s commentary, help you examine not only the original context and meaning of the verses but also modern application.

Looking Inward narrows the focus down to your personal story. These intimate questions can be a bit uncomfortable at times, but don’t shy away from honesty here. This is where you are asked to stand before the mirror of God’s Word and look closely at what you see. It’s the place to take a good look at yourself in light of the lesson and search for ways in which you can grow in faith.

Going Forward is the place where you can commit to paper those things you want or need to do in order to better live out the discoveries you made in the Looking Inward section. Don’t skip or skim through this. Take the time to really consider what practical steps you might take to move closer to Christ. Then share your thoughts with a trusted friend who can act as an encourager and accountability partner.

Finally, there is a brief Seeking Help section to close the lesson. This is a reminder for you to invite God into your spiritual-growth process. If you choose to write out a prayer in this section, come back to it as you work through the lesson and continue to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as you discover God’s will for your life.

Tips for Small Groups

A small group is a dynamic thing. One week it might seem like a group of close-knit friends. The next it might seem more like a group of uncomfortable