Reflect
Once you've watched the featured video, take time to reflect on these questions.
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What is one way this video expands your understanding of Peter’s letter?
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Name one thing you notice about the structure of the letter.
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How would you summarize the main idea of this video in your own words?
Go Deeper
Peter comforts Gentile Christians who were suffering under Roman oppression by reassuring them of their identity and purpose. Suffering injustice can feel like evidence of defeat, but Peter reminds the people of the victory Jesus accomplished through suffering. Jesus’ suffering recovered their identity and restored their purpose in life. Now they can take comfort knowing that their suffering belongs to Jesus’ powerful story⏤a story where [God](hhttps://bibleproject.com/explore/video/god-video/ heals broken hearts, frees captives, and comforts all those who grieve.
Read: 1 Peter 2:9-12, 1 Peter 2:21-25, Isaiah 61:1-6, Isaiah 9:2-7
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Read 1 Peter 2:9-12 and also 1 Peter 2:21-25. According to these passages, how did Jesus suffer, and how did his sufferings recover our identity and purpose?
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Compare 1 Peter 2:9-10 with Isaiah 61:1-6. How does Isaiah describe the “priests of the Lord” before the good news is brought to them (Isa. 61:1-3)? How does Peter describe the Gentiles before they became a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:10)?
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Read Isaiah 9:2-7 aloud carefully. What do you observe about this passage? What is one way God has brought you out of darkness and into his light? Review 1 Peter 2:9 and consider how you can practically share this with others.
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Let’s take time now to express gratitude to God for the identity and purpose he has given to us and ask for the courage, humility, and patience we need to live it out.
Peter offers hope to persecuted Christians and guides them with practical instruction on following Jesus.
1 Peter emphasizes the role of apostles as chosen by God to share his Gospel. Because of this, their persecution can actually be seen as a gift because it offers them a chance to show others the surprising generosity and love of Jesus, which is fueled by hope in his return and victory over evil. Peter is hopeful that their imitation of Jesus and demonstration of his upside-down Kingdom will give power to their words as they bear witness to God's mercy and show people the beautiful truth about Jesus.
Hope in Persecution
1 Peter gives persecuted Christians a powerful reminder that they have hope in the midst of their suffering. From the time of Abraham, God's people were a misunderstood minority and should expect to face hostility because they live under King Jesus' rule.
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