Aim: to apply the principles for gradual and radical change in Peter to ourselves.
Recurring Thought: If God could change Peter, He can change us. If He can change us, He can change the people around us.
Introduction
We all identify with Peter because of his failures – his falling into temptation, his denial of Jesus Christ, his rash speaking, his failure to keep awake and pray. However, God can change a person radically and basically. As that person cooperates with the Holy Spirit the implications of this radical change are worked out in his life (1 Peter 1:1,23). The information on Peter is found mainly in the four gospels, the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles and in Peter's two letters. We will now study the life of Peter in this series of six Bible studies.
Theme: The Sufferings of Jesus Christ
Readings: Matthew 16:21-23; 1 Peter 1:2,10-12,18-19
Note: In the gospels we see that suffering was utterly distasteful to Peter. His view changed radically. Joy in suffering became the main theme of his first letter. Peter came to understand the necessity for Christ's suffering. Matthew 16:21-23 before answering the following questions.
- How do you think Jesus began to teach his disciples about his suffering, death and resurrection?
- Why did Peter rebuke Jesus thinking that the Messiah could not suffer shame, reproach and death?
- Why did Peter rebuke Jesus? How does his rebuke show how completely he misunderstood the mission of Jesus?
- Do you know people today who cannot understand that God would allow his prophet and Messiah to suffer in this way?
- Why did God not rescue Jesus from the shameful death on a cross?
- Why was Jesus willing to be crucified?
- Read 1 Peter 1:2. In experience what does it mean to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ?
- Read 1 Peter 1:10-12. To what 3 things did the prophets testify?
- Read 1 Peter 1:18-19. What 3 things do you learn from these verses about Christ's death?
- What were we ransomed from?
- What were we not ransomed with?
- What were we ransomed with?
- Read 1 Peter 2:21-24. What else does Peter teach about Christ's suffering and death?
- For whom did Christ suffer?
- Did Christ ever speak deceitfully?
- Did Christ ever curse anyone or use bad language?
- Did Christ ever threaten revenge?
- Did Christ ever commit any sin?
- What are the results of his dying for our sins on the tree?
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