Live Differently
How are we to live as God’s people?
Live Differently
1 PETER
1 Peter, a letter written by the apostle Peter to believers - elect exiles suffering for their faith but destined for glory.
READ
1 Peter 1:13-16:
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
STUDY
1:13 – As recipients of God’s mercy, what are we to set our hope fully on?
How do we obey this command – what two instructions are we given?
1:14-15 – How are we to live as obedient children of God?
1:16 – Why are we to be holy?
THINKING IT THROUGH
How do we prepare our minds for action, gird them up with truth?
Look up 1 Peter 1:3-5 - Why is the Father to be praised?
Look up 1 Peter 3:15 - What must we be prepared to do?
Where have you been placed to bear witness for Christ? What opposition have you faced as you did so?
Look up 1 Peter 4:14 - Who rests upon us and helps us as we endure suffering for the name of Christ?
FURTHER RESOURCES
If would like to study the book of 1 Peter we have some great resources to help you. Click any of the links below for more information:
GOD IS IN CONTROL
Christmas devotional from our National Director Dave.
Christmas devotional from our National Director Dave:
GOD IS IN CONTROL
I recently visited a Christmas market in Poland. It was in a large town square, with dozens of huts selling hot dogs, knitted hats, and mulled wine. The location is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike, packed with thousands of people. There were no stewards, and most places had no queuing system. There was no-one directing things or keeping the crowds moving. It looked and felt like pure chaos. You don’t have to go to Poland to experience this sense either – you may get a taste of it when you try do your shopping the week before Christmas!
READ Luke 2:1-7. Look out for any geographical locations as you read it.
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
You may well hear this passage being read this Christmas time. It’s a well-known passage in Luke’s Gospel, detailing the birth of the baby Jesus. It can be read simply as a statement of facts – a census was ordered, and so people had to go to the towns of their family heritage to be counted.
Who ordered this decree? Caesar Augustus, who was arguably the most important and influential figure at the time, in charge of the mighty Roman empire. When did It happen? We’re given the historical timeframe – it was when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Where did Joseph and Mary go? They left Nazareth where they were living and travelled to Bethlehem.
In inductive Bible study, we love a good cross reference! And if we look at Micah 5:2, we can learn something else. Note any locations mentioned.
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
Did you see it? Bethlehem is mentioned again. Micah wrote these words around seven hundred years before that census was ordered. This small village was to be the birthplace of the promised Messiah, the one who would rule over Israel and whose origin is eternity.
Coincidence? I don’t think so! Caesar Augustus issued a decree that caused Mary and Joseph to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. I don’t know his motivation for making a decision that would cause such a chaotic movement of people across the empire, but he did. But behind this authoritarian decision was the sovereign hand of God, who was orchestrating everything so that His promise would be fulfilled exactly as He had declared through Micah.
It is worth noting that this came about centuries after God spoke through His prophet. More than long enough for some people to have forgotten about God’s promise! Yet God’s Word never fails – what He promises to do, He will do it (see Isaiah 46:8-11). It may not be immediate, and it may not be to our timing, but His Word is certain and can be fully trusted.
As God works to fulfil what He is doing, He is at work through all of history, all your circumstances, and through you and others, to make it happen. Just as it was not obvious to Joseph and Mary that God’s plan was unfolding through a seemingly random, bureaucratic exercise, it may not have been obvious to you that God is in still in control today. You may have felt that as you listened to the doctors’ words, or as you stood this year at a graveside. You may have wondered at times where God is amid the chaos in our world that daily fills our newsfeeds.
Yet the birth of Jesus is evidence to us that God is in control and is at work, even when we don’t see it! The One who promised a Messiah centuries before his arrival, was in every detail, and this is the same God who we serve today. He is the one who directs the course of human history (Proverbs 16:9), His plans are the only ones that will stand (Psalm 33:11) and He is working through all these things for your good (Romans 8:28).
May you be encouraged this Christmas time as you reflect on the birth of Jesus that God’s Word has been proven to be certain, and that no matter what you have faced this last year, or whatever may come, God is in control.
Take a moment to pray. Give thanks to God for fulfilling His promise to send a Saviour and ask Him for help in trusting that He is still sovereign today.
LEADER DEVOTIONAL
When I worked in church ministry, I would often be asked if I was the youth or assistant pastor. Sometimes I would let it go, and at other times I felt compelled to say, “Well, actually I’m the Associate Pastor!” For most people, if not all, it didn’t matter, but for me, it was another step up the church corporate ladder from my days working in a church office and students work. Maybe one day I would have the title of Senior Pastor and all the privileges that came with it, like a bigger salary or even better, a bigger office!
MATTHEW 20:25-28
25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
When I worked in church ministry, I would often be asked if I was the youth or assistant pastor. Sometimes I would let it go, and at other times I felt compelled to say, “Well, actually I’m the Associate Pastor!” For most people, if not all, it didn’t matter, but for me, it was another step up the church corporate ladder from my days working in a church office and students work. Maybe one day I would have the title of Senior Pastor and all the privileges that came with it, like a bigger salary or even better, a bigger office!
Achieving a high status, having a powerful position, or being given respect are things that the world chases after, but God’s kingdom has a different approach.
READ: Matthew 20:25-28.
What is the context of our story?
The mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, has come to Jesus to ask a favour. She wants her two sons to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus. What is she really asking for? She is asking that her sons be given high positions in God’s kingdom. This wasn’t done without their knowledge or to their embarrassment either; they came along with her.
How did Jesus respond to this request in v26?
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.”
He reminded the disciples how the world operated. Roman culture was all about status and the authority that you had (see Matthew 8:5-11, John 19:9-11). Yet God’s kingdom was going to be radically different.
What did Jesus say to the disciples in v27?
“It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave”
Jesus told His disciples that they were not to exercise authority over others. Instead, if you want to become great in the kingdom of Heaven, you must become less - you should become like a servant. The commentator Michael Green wrote,
“Greatness in the world is determined by status; in the kingdom by function. In the world greatness is shown by ruling; in the kingdom by serving.”
A good Christian leader does not worry about their authority, nor are they obsessed with status. A good Christian leader seeks to become like a servant, seeking the benefit of others before themselves. There’s no arrogance, pride, or selfish ambition. This was completely different to the culture at the time, and still is today!
What example does Jesus use to illustrate this in v28?
“even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus wasn’t asking his disciples to do something that he hadn’t been prepared to do himself – instead, he WAS the example for us to follow. The one who had full authority over the entire universe and everything in it, became like his created ones to serve them! Jesus humbled himself and did not seek after earthly glory, but instead, gave himself up for our benefit.
What an example we have been given in Jesus, to lead as servants.
PRAY
Lord God,
Thank you for the example of Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve. Help me to avoid pride or selfishness and equip me to serve others for their benefit and your glory. Amen.
REFLECT
Do I see my position as a Bible study leader as being one of status, or do I see myself as a servant, helping others to dig into God’s Word?
Cross Reference
For further reading and reflection read Philippians 2:5-8.
DEVOTIONAL: KEEP GOING
Ever feel your labour for the LORD is in vain? Or tempted to look around at the gifts and ministry of others and see yours as insignificant or pointless by comparison?
KEEP GOING
READ: Haggai 2:1-9
Ever feel your labour for the LORD is in vain? Or tempted to look around at the gifts and ministry of others and see yours as insignificant or pointless by comparison?
If so, then you’re not alone. These verses from Haggai 2 tells us of a people similarly discouraged in their service for the LORD, struggling to rebuild His temple, seeing their work as irrelevant and filled with doubt as to whether God was even with them in their endeavours.
And it is in their despair that the LORD calls them to be strong, to work, to not be afraid, because He is with them, His Spirit in their midst. And encourages their hearts in their service for Him with a renewed vision of the great work He has called them to do, and of Him the sovereign God who rules over all things and brings what He wills to pass.
And of course, we see the greater fulfilment of these promises in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the true temple, and those who are now in Him - the Church, the temple of the living God, living stones being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
And so, in our weariness the LORD calls us to be strong, to work, to not be afraid. That no labour for Him is ever in vain, however insignificant, or impossible it may seem to us to be, for He is with us in it all, indwelling and empowering us by the Spirit to live and work for Him, and who will one day complete the work He has begun in us, to the praise of His glory and grace. Oh, what a day!!
Easter Devotions
While we are not restricted to thinking about the Cross once a year, Easter allows us to set time aside, reflect deeply, give thanks, and celebrate what it means to us. Holy Week provides another opportunity to prepare our hearts to remember the events of Calvary, and our Lord who died there.
While we are not restricted to thinking about the Cross once a year, Easter allows us to set time aside, reflect deeply, give thanks, and celebrate what it means to us. Holy Week provides another opportunity to prepare our hearts to remember the events of Calvary, and our Lord who died there.
Below are a couple of resources that you can use during Holy Week to help focus your mind on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This list isn’t exhaustive; they are just some ideas! And if you have another resource you are using - let us know in the comments what you will be reading!
Easter Explained: An 8-Day Guide to Celebrating Holy Week
(Life.Church, Digital Reading Plan)
How would you spend the last week of your life knowing that it was your last? The last week Jesus was on earth in human form was filled with memorable moments, fulfilled prophecies, intimate prayer, deep discussion, symbolic acts, and world-changing events.
Designed to start the Monday before Easter, each day of this Life.Church Bible Plan walks you through the unfolding story of Holy week.
Woven - A Holy Week Devotional
(The Bible Society NI, Book / eBook)
Holy Week: the greatest week in all of history. Eight days woven into the fabric of countless lives changed forever.
Pause, ponder and journey through the teaching, trials, tears and triumph of the final week of Jesus’ life through this devotional by our friends at Bible Society Northern Ireland.
Available to order in both hard copy format and digital.
Jesus: Understanding His Death and Resurrection
(Precept Ireland, Book / YouTube)
In this powerful study centered on the final chapters of the Gospel of Mark, you'll consider for yourself all that Jesus endured to bring forgiveness to sinners and hope to the hopeless. And you'll understand as never before why it's so essential to share with others the good news of His death and resurrection.
Jesus: Understanding His Death and Resurrection
If you want to follow the study, you can also watch each study on YouTube.
Jesus: Understanding His Death and Resurrection Video Series
Easter Lightning Studies
(Precept Ireland, Printable)
This short series of 3 Lightning Studies asks the questions, why did Jesus live? Why did he die? And asks what it means for us now that He lives again! These studies use basic inductive Bible study skills such as marking words and making lists in order to dig deeper into Scripture.
Maybe you’re not one for reading… why not listen to an audiobook or podcast?
Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Readings by C.S. Lewis
(Audible.co.uk, Audiobook)
Preparing for Easter is a concise, handy companion for the faithful of all Christian traditions and the curious to help them deepen their knowledge and consideration of this holy season - a time of reflection as we consider Jesus' sacrifice and his joyous rise from the dead.
Carefully curated, each selection in Preparing for Easter draws on a major theme in Lewis' writings on the Christian life as well as others that consider why we can have confident faith in what happened on the cross.
Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Readings by C.S. Lewis
The Characters of Easter with Dan Darling
(LifeAudio.com, Podcast)
In The Characters of Easter with Dan Darling, you'll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ's death and resurrection. This podcast is the companion to Dan Darling's book "The Characters of Easter: The Villains, Heroes, Cowardsm and Crooks Who Witnessed History's Biggest Miracle."
You can listen to all episodes at LifeAudio.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Pocket Casts.