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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?