[1]NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 1:13-25
Discussion Questions:
— What does it look like to set our hope on Christ?
— In practical terms, what does it mean to be holy?
— What step of obedience to His Word is God calling you to take?
Food for Thought:
Fraud. Cheating. Scandal. Millions upon millions of dollars paid to college administrators. The 2019 college admissions bribery scandal uncovered all of this. High-profile celebrities, student athletes, coaches, admissions counselors and other professionals were exposed in the largest case of its kind ever prosecuted by the United States Justice Department. The scandal left many scratching their heads, wondering why any parent would go to such lengths to get a child into a university.
[2]At the bottom of it all was misplaced hope — misplaced hope in a university, degree, team or status. All those things can come crumbling down. But it doesn’t take a high-profile case to see misplaced hope; we see it when people pursue a bigger house, a better job, or a certain status as if these things truly matter. Hope in such things is never sure; they can disappear overnight. Is there a firm footing for hope that will never disappoint? Faith and hope in Christ transform our perspective so that life is no longer about what we can gain. Life becomes about how we love and serve God and others.
As Christ-followers, we’re called to remain focused on the hope we have in Christ. Peter gave five admonitions to help us stay aligned with that hope:
— Be ready. “With your minds ready for action” (1 Peter 1:13).
— Be alert. “Be sober-minded” (v. 13).
— Be hopeful. “Set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v. 13).
— Be distinct. “Do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14).
— Be holy. “As the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Peter was quick to point out the source of our hope. Jesus’ resurrection is the basis for our faith. Without the triumph of God raising Jesus from death, we truly are without hope and have nothing in which to place a confident faith. This kind of assurance is found only in Jesus.
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life connects the Bible to life for adults, students and kids. Bible Studies for Life helps individuals and groups know God’s Word through trustworthy content, creates biblical community through engaging and conversational group studies, and helps people engage the culture missionally by unpacking what the Bible says about real-life issues. More information can be found on the internet at www.biblestudiesforlife.com [3].
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool or ordered at LifeWay Christian Stores [4].