1 Peter 1:3-5
INTRODUCTION
BEGIN IN PRAYER
OPENING DISCUSSION
As you begin, discuss the following statement made by C. S. Lewis. Do you agree or disagree? How do Lewis’ words speak to your own life?
OPENING DISCUSSION
As you begin, discuss the following statement made by C. S. Lewis. Do you agree or disagree? How do Lewis’ words speak to your own life?
"If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this."
BIG IDEA
Jesus's resurrection secured an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading future resurrection hope for Christians.
READ
1 Peter 1:3-5
Jesus's resurrection secured an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading future resurrection hope for Christians.
READ
1 Peter 1:3-5
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Our Resurrection Inheritance is a Divine Gift (Read 1 Peter 1:3). In this verse, Peter gives glory to the Father because he “caused” us to be born again to a living hope “through” the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Why do you think Peter emphasizes the Father’s “causal” role in our new birth? Why is this significant for our understanding of salvation?
- Peter says our new birth was accomplished “through” the resurrection of Jesus. What do you think the connection is between the resurrection of Jesus and our new birth?
- How does this passage show us the connection between theology and doxology?
Our Resurrection Hope is Physical (Read 1 Peter 1:4). In this passage, Peter describes the inheritance that Christ has won for us through his resurrection. And just as Jesus’ resurrection was physical, so is the inheritance he will give us. Many Christians imagine our inheritance as a disembodied existence in the sky. But this is not biblical. Read this quote by Randy Alcorn and share your reactions to it:
“We do not desire to eat gravel. Why? Because God did not design us to eat gravel. Praying to develop an appetite for a disembodied existence in a non-physical Heaven is like trying to develop an appetite for gravel. No matter how sincere we are, and no matter how hard we try, it’s not going to work. Nor should it. What God made us to desire, and therefore what we do desire if we admit it, is exactly what he promises to those who follow Jesus Christ: a resurrected life in a resurrected body, with the resurrected Christ on a resurrected earth.”
- How does this challenge your view of “heaven”?
- How does this affect your desire for heaven?
Our Resurrection Inheritance is Glorious (Read 1 Peter 1:4-5). Not only is our inheritance physical, but Peter says it is also imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. That is, it will be the opposite of this fallen world, which is perishable, defiled, and fading.
- What are the most significant ways you have experienced and been affected by the reality that this present world is perishable (i.e., think of the death of friends, family, pets, etc.), defiled (think of the ways sin has corrupted your life, relationships, society, etc.), and fading (think of the fading nature of this life: our health, beauty, strength, hearing, and vision fades, relationships can fade, our ability to enjoy life, etc.).
- In contrast to this perishable, defiled, and fading world that has been so badly broken by sin, Jesus has won for us an imperishable inheritance (death will be no more), undefiled (sin will never corrupt it), and unfading (its glory will ever increase). Which of these qualities of our inheritance do you most anticipate and long for? Why?
PRAY
Peter began by blessing the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation and inheritance he graciously gave us. End your time by doing the same.