1 Peter 1:6-12
6 In this you rejoice,[a] though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Without having seen[b] him you[c] love him; though you do not now see him you[d] believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. 9 As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.
10 The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; 11 they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
Study Questions
3: What did you find encouraging/Comforting?
Our answers ranged from knowing the trials were only for a little while and joy was ahead to that we were more than angels because God lives in us. Knowing these things, we are able to see past the trial to the opportunity to praise God for getting us through.
4: What did you find Assuring/Testifying?
Almost everyone keyed in on Salvation, but the best part was that having experienced trials in the past, we can relate to this promise and know that it will be there when we need it in the future. Personally, knowing that the story related by the prophets and by the preachers is the same story only more revealed as time goes on assures me that it is all one big plan that works together.
5: What is the main theme of these verses?
Book answer was Salvation. There was some notion of people cheating to get the answer. The Jews before Christ longed for this promised salvation. They searched for it, the prophets had described it to them, but they did not get there until Christ came. Once Christ came, we heard about it, we received it, we rejoiced in it. New we will experience trials that prove our faith, that give us cause to praise God, that show us that we do not deserve the grace we have received and give us cause to Glorify and Honor God.
- What is your reaction to having to suffer various trials?
Rejoice is the right answer; Avoid is the common answer. We all want to have the rewards, but we do not always want to go through the pain to get there. Knowing God has a purpose makes it bearable and indeed can be done joyfully.
- What do you feel about gold and how precious is it to you compared to faith?
We spoke about the comfort and splendor gold (or money) can provide, but we balanced this with times we have not had any and yet still persevered and realized life goes on.
- How would you describe Unutterable Joy?
Rhetorical. It is too big to even start to describe as ever time you start, you realize its bigger than that.
- In what ways do you feel superior to the prophets?
We are not supposed to feel superiority only acknowledge that we have been blessed to know the outcomes.
- How do you explain people living before Christ or never hearing of Him going to heaven?
This prompted a long discussion that basically ended the session. The point was when speaking to someone who is either not a Christian or not a mature one, how would we respond to this question. We balance the things we know.
My job for the week is to dig out the references for my thoughts. Should be fun.
- How do you explain people rejecting Christ?
This was a part of the 10 above, but we must know that not everyone is chosen and not everyone goes to heaven. Why and how God chose some to live and die and not spend eternity with Him is beyond me. I do not understand and probably cannot, but I must acknowledge it is so.
- In what ways do you feel superior to the angels?
See 9 above.
This feels light, but a lot was repeat of the week before and we just take a while to talk it through.