In this eye-opening passage of the Bible, we explore how pain and discomfort can serve as powerful reminders of our true identity as "elect exiles" - chosen by God, yet strangers in this world. 1 Peter 1:1-2 uncovers the hope and comfort found in belonging to God, even amidst the trials and tribulations of life. Join us as we delve into the wisdom of Scripture and learn how embracing our identity in Christ can radically change our perspective on suffering, equipping us to persevere and thrive. Don't miss this opportunity to gather with fellow believers, study God's Word, and experience the life-altering truth of 1 Peter.
BBCC Bible Study Notes
Who God Says You Are - 1 Peter 1:1-2
September 15th, 2024
Introduction: Pain and Discomfort
1 Peter 1:1-2: Who are you? What is your identity? Elect Exiles
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, exiles scatteredthroughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, whohave been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through thesanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkledwith his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance." (1 Peter 1:1-2,NIV)
Three Ways You Are Chosen
(Think about all the problems we face that are part of having an insecureidentity… the ways we are fearful, go to flight or fight. – imagine if all ofthat could be different?)
Pain reminds us of whose we are that we belong to God, even though we don't belong in this world.
Application: Living as Strangers
Summary: Pain and discomfort remind us of who we really are -- we areexiles in this world who belong to God. Embracing this identity has the powerto transform our lives and help us persevere through suffering.
BBCC Verse of the Week: 1 Peter 1:1–2 (NIV) … To God’s elect, exilesscattered… 2 who have been chosen according to theforeknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, tobe obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:1-2 Study/Discussion Guide
We have some great devotionals in the lobby -- pick one up andread devotionally each day. This is adifferent tool to encourage your growth in scripture. 1) Some notes that go alittle deeper than what I can talk about on a Sunday morning. 2) Some questionsto go a little wider as you talk to people and think about how the Spirit maybe making you more holy through his word. Use the first section as a springboardto learning more about the Bible, use the second section to talk to othersabout what you’re learning. Talk in the car on the way home, chat with folksduring the week – some of our Bible studies will be using these to discusstogether.
Bible Notes:
At thebeginning of his letter to scattered Christians, Peter doesn't address thesepeople in terms of their ancestry, their moral background, their social status,their wealth or poverty. While all those things are part of their old identity,he is sketching out the new one. It is easy to forget our basic identity asChristians, and it is therefore important to be reminded of it on a regularbasis. We are people who, by the grace of God, have been chosen for aparticular purpose. All Christians live a strange double life: Peter addresseshis audience as foreigners, not because they have emigrated to where they nowlive but because they now have a dual citizenship. They are simultaneouslyinhabitants of this or that actual country or district (Pontus, Galatia orwherever), and citizens of God's new world which, as he will shortly say, iswaiting to be unveiled. – N.T. Wright
We can discern in Peter an“about-face” over the question of Jesus’ death: from outright rejection (Matt.16:22) and denial (Luke 22:54–71), to restoration (John 21), to preaching thedeath and vindication of Jesus (Acts 2), to finding in the death of Jesus theultimate paradigm of Christian existence (1 Peter 2:18–25). This trail ofPeter’s conversion is what lies beneath our letter: a Peter who found in Jesus’death and resurrection the secret of life. Another feature of his life that isfundamental for understanding his letter is that his original name was “Simon”and only through a special calling by Jesus was it changed to “Cephas” (or“Peter”). His name change included Jesus’ prediction of his role in thedevelopment of the early church: Simon would be a “foundation,” a “rock” (petros),upon whom the church would be built. In light of this, Peter developed themetaphor of Christians as “living stones” (2:4–8). – Scott McKight
Most modern interpretersunderstand the address to Peter’s readers as “foreigners” to be a metaphor thatdescribes the Christian’s relationship to the world. By virtue of faith inChrist, home is heaven, and Christians therefore are just passing through thisworld as foreigners The term parepid was used in the first century todesignate someone who did not hold citizenship in the place where he residedand was therefore viewed as a foreigner. The lack of citizenship implied thatsuch people did not enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizens. Moreover,as foreigners, they were not necessarily expected to hold the values andpractice the customs of their host culture. Because of such differences,foreigners were often looked upon suspiciously as potentially subversive to theestablished social order, an attitude not unfamiliar even today. – KarenJobes
Discussion Questions:
· What are some ways that people try to define themselves or findtheir identity?
· Read 1 Peter 1:1-9. What are the various ways Peter says believershave a special identity in Christ?
· For each one of these variousways – how would it affect you if you live out of that identity instead of howwe usually define ourselves (or how we let others define us)?
Pastor SamuelSutter // sam@BBCCOnline.org
