Discussion Questions on 1 Peter 1:17-21 “Live in Reverential Worship”

1 Peter 1: 17-21
Live in Reverential Worship

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

1. What do we mean when we say that the Old Testament background for ‘fear of the Lord” includes an objective, subjective, and psychological element?
If you will fear the LORD, you must KNOW what He expects
If you will fear the LORD, you must SUBMIT to His authority.
If you will fear the LORD, you must ANTICIPATE both reward and retribution.

2. Why is the holy character of God a reason for terror? To whom is God a ‘dangerous God’?

3. What distinguishes the fear of the Lord that a believer and a non-believer should have?

4. Why should calling the Judge, Father, draw us to reverent worship rather than give us permission to live carelessly?

5. In what ways does God as an impartial judge hold His children accountable?

6. Why does knowing that He is not only your Father, but that He stepped down from his Holy throne (in his son) and bore the penalty of the law to redeem you, encourage you to live in fear?

7. How does Peter describe the life from which we were rescued?

8. Which of the following scenarios best describes your life prior to Christ?
If you were a Jew receiving this letter, your former way of life would have been one of religious activity, and pride about those external trappings of religion that set you apart from others.

If you were a Gentile receiving this letter, your former way of life would have been one of idolatry – false substitutes for the true and living God.

9. How does Peter describe the great value of our redemption?

Discussion Questions on 1 Peter 1:13-16

1 Peter 1: 13-25
Series Title: Christian Living in a Non-Christian World
Christian Values in a Non-Christian World (Part One)

1. Why is it important that we understand that Christian living in a non-Christian world is grounded in knowing our identity, valuing it, and allow it to define who we are and how we will live in this world?

2. What is the difference between a ‘value’ and a ‘belief’?

3. How does the development of these values create a growing distinction between the values of the world (which we once held) and the values of the kingdom of Jesus Christ?

4. Why does the development of these values create both friction (a tension, a rub) and an opportunity to display the superior values of the kingdom of Jesus Christ?

5. Why is it important to know the Christian values are rooted in the gospel?

6. In what way is the grace that we now experience in Christ not the final and fullest expression of grace?

7. How does future grace empower us to live holy lives?

8. What is the difference between having an existential versus an eschatological perspective on our choices in life.

9. Discuss our responsibility to have a disciplined and sober mind and what that looks like.

10. Why does a commitment to holiness make no division between the secular and the sacred?

11. Why does coming to Christ mean that we begin a life-long evaluation of everything we do?

12. Discuss how the gospel calls us to reject the life that is simply driven by self-centered passions and to pursue the life is set apart for God’s sacred use.

13. Discuss Titus 2:11-12 and how the grace of God teaches us to live in a way which reflects God’s Lordship over our lives.

14. What does it mean to have a sacred God-orientation in everything in all life?

15. Discuss this statement: Because in Christ we are already holy, the pursuit of holiness is our joy, not a burden, because we know that our imperfect pursuit of holiness is never the ground of our acceptance with God.

Discussion Questions on 1 Peter 1:6-9 “A Transcendent Joy”

1. Discuss what it means to have an unearthly joy that transcends the temporal joys and sorrows of life.

2. Discuss the reference to the gospel ( “in this”) and what it is about the gospel that offers a transcendent joy.

3. How can this unearthly joy be real in the presence of trials? Discuss how the gospel calls us to and enables us to live with antinomies?

4. Grammatically, ‘rejoice’ may be either a command or a statement. Either way, why should there be an expectation of joy even in the midst of difficult times?

5. Is unearthly joy simply ‘pie in the sky?’ How does what Peter teaches here undermine the health, wealth, and prosperity movement in Christianity?

6. How is this unearthly joy experienced in a faith that is tested under trial? Why are trials necessary?

7. What is the desired outcome of a tested faith?

8. Why must this unearthly joy be coupled with a love for Jesus?

9. How does the subtle intrusion of idolatry undermine our faith?

10. How does the future become a present reality in our lives? .What is the role of the Holy Spirit in this?