Praise Be To God!

We have started into our new study on the writings of Peter. This week we will work our way through 1 Peter 1. I missed class yesterday so I don't have the specific Bible study tools that you have been asked to use; Steve will send those to me today. While I may add some of my thoughts, the daily messages on Peter will include the questions and tools you need to investigate the passage yourself!

Read: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Context: There is little doubt that this letter is officially from Peter, however it is believed that someone else, maybe Silas, actually wrote the words. The experts believe that the text is more polished than a fisherman would be capable of writing.

Text:
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Peter can write long, confusing sentences, so we have to pay close attention. I wonder if his writing style is the same as his speaking style? Just imagine -- at this point in his life he is probably close to 80 years old. He's lived a hard life as a fisherman and missionary, but I bet he's still full of fire and brimstone. As he gets older, he is probably more adamant that the people around him listen to and believe the message of Jesus.

So, look at the passage again and answer these questions:

1. To whom is the letter being written?

2. What has God given us in his great mercy?

3. Why do we suffer trials?

4. Why can we be filled with joy?