Well, I cannot believe it! Covering just 1 Peter 1 has taken me 14 days! It has been a very insightful time of study for me, and I hope someone will someday get a lot out of it. There are a few studies on 1 Peter 1, that I think went really well. Others, I fear I missed the mark. Regardless, I thought I would take today to catalogue the studies. I will just go in order and give a brief highlight of each. I will break them up by each block of verses they cover. If nothing else we can use this as a handy reference!
1 Peter 1:1-2
Called: The Quest: Day 18.0 – In this study we looked at Peter’s audience. We asked, to whom was 1 Peter written? There is a lot in here about God’s sovereignty and the work of salvation. We explored the question, What do you really believe? I do believe this study will be challenging to anyone who, like me, was raised in a staunchly Armenian faith. Key verses are Romans 8:28-30.
Sanctification: The Quest: Day 19.0 – Here we looked into sanctification, as the title implies. We covered it pretty thoroughly, I think. There are marvelous quotes from Jonathan Edwards and C.S. Lewis. But, probably the most challenging quote was from John Wesley on Christian Perfection. It is simply perfect. Key verse is Matthew 5:48.
Obedience and Blood: The Quest: Day 20.0 – This study was really fascinating for me. It went in directions I did not initially plan to go. In it we explore obedience to Christ, of course. But, we also covered Christ’s position as our High Priest and what that means. We also went through a thought experiment, imagining ourselves as a first-century Christian. Key verses are really numerous, but probably the most vital to the point of the study are Colossians 3:1-6; 12-17, Hebrews 9:24-26 & Hebrews 10:11-14.
1 Peter 1:3-5
Mercy: The Quest: Day 21.0 – In this study, we looked at the living hope to which Peter continually refers. It is bound up with Christ’s resurrection and the gift of salvation all Christians receive from God in Christ. There is really very little from me in this study. It is built primarily on many humbling verses which magnify the glory of God and bring a sort of humble satisfaction to the believing reader – a category in which I include myself! The key verses for the first part are 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. For the challenging addendum to the study, which might be entitled Proofs, the most key verses are John 15:4-6.
1 Peter 1:6-7
Rejoice! The Quest: Day 22.0 – If any of you read through my first week of studies, this study will feel familiar. It is about rejoicing through trials, and very reminiscent of our study on James 1:2-4, Steadfastness: The Quest: Day 1.0. In fact, I do believe James 1:2-4 are some of the verses cited here. But, this study includes some wonderful quotes from Jeremiah Burroughs and C.S. Lewis. It goes where I least expected, including discussing End Times and a defense of hierarchy! The key verses for this study are Romans 8:28-30, and as regards hierarchy, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.
1 Peter 1:3-9 (In which we move back to move forward)
Believe: The Quest: Day 23.0 – This was a fun study. Whenever I get to use the term goat path, you know I am enjoying myself. In this study we looked at believing. Specifically we looked at the notions of seeing is believing and believing in yourself. (Hint: not a fan of either.) Key verses for this study are John 20:24-29. But familiarity with Hebrews 11:1 is probably key to understanding the entire study.
1 Peter 1:10-12
Longing: The Quest: Day 24.0 – Now this was an informative study for me! It was dealing with some verses that I found pretty challenging. Maybe not on a cursory read, but if you really think about what Peter is writing, it is pretty deep. I had to rely a lot on the author of Hebrews, as well as Charles Spurgeon and John Calvin. There is some really good material from them in this study. It is all about salvation, but refers to the prophets and patriarchs of the Old Testament, as well as angels. Key verses for this study are Hebrews 11:13-16.
1 Peter 1:13-16
Our Minds: The Quest: Day 25.0 – This study is a call to action! Really enjoyed going through the material and writing this one. Sneak peek: This is War! Key verses for this study are Ephesians 6:10-13 & 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
Sober-Minded: The Quest: Day 26.0 – This is one of the most in-depth studies I have written so far. I learned so much writing it. It delves into the concept of sober-minded, what it means and what it doesn’t mean. We get into the Greek for the term, and look at how and where it was used. If you like nerding out on words, this is the study for you! It’s hard to determine which set of verses is key to this study, but I guess as an illustration of how we can debunk probably the most common interpretation of sober-minded, we can cite: Matthew 11:18-19.
Inordinate Desire: The Quest: Day 27.0 – Still on an in-depth kick? Try this study on for size. In it we look at ἐπιθυμίαι (epithumia), meaning desire, eagerness for, inordinate desire, lust. I leaned on the inordinate desire definition because I like that built within it is the notion of excess and even disproportionality, to coin a word. Key verses for this study are Romans 12:1-2.
Holiness: The Quest: Day 28.0 – This was a warm and wonderful study, in which I had the pleasure of reading quite a bit of Jonathon Edwards and John Owen. Both are quoted in the study. It covers the holiness of God and sanctification. I hope you get some confort and joy from reading it. Key verses: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
1 Peter 1:17-19
Fear: The Quest: Day 30.0 – This is, in fact, the actual most in-depth study I have done to date. We look at the concept of fearing the Lord. What’s more we look into both the Greek and Hebrew use of various words which we translate into English as fear. This is a big one. You need to put on your nerd glasses (like me), and maybe take out a pencil and a note pad. It has a ton of scripture, a ton of Charles Spurgeon, and a ton of Strong’s Concordance. Key verses for this one: Philippians 2:12-13 & Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
1 Peter 1:17-21
Knowledge: The Quest: Day 31.0 – This study covers knowledge – our knowledge and God’s knowledge. It dives into the concept of foreknowledge, time, and eternity. It asks the question, What is before eternity? This might be a somewhat controversial post, but it was edifying for me to go through. Key verses: 2 Timothy 1:8-10.
1 Peter 1:22-25
Brotherly Love: The Quest: Day 32.0 – This is the final study on 1 Peter 1. In it we look at the concept of brotherly love. We also delve (a little) into Peter’s use of prepositions. I said it in this study, and I will say it again. After we finish 1 Peter, or maybe after 2 Peter, I want to do a deep-dive into Peter’s use of prepositions and how they are often a bit confusing. This study focuses on the reasons for both possessing and displaying brotherly love. The key verses for this study, and indeed for all our conduct throughout the rest of our lives, are John 13:34-35.
Study guide
Hope you find this study guide useful. It will definitely hep me when doing my own Bible studies. I can use this study guide as a reference when I want to look back and get a refresher on various topics. Plus its own helpful links each lead to separate studies with their own multitude of other helpful links.
Anyhow, here ends our study of 1 Peter 1. What a crazy long ride! I really never thought we would be bivouacked here for so long! For me, at the very least, it was well worth it. Hopefully someone in this world of ours also benefited from it. Tomorrow, on to 1 Peter 2!
