Commissioned

Q3. (3:18a) Meditate for a few minutes on this verse: "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." Now personalize it to imagine (1) your sins, (2) your unrighteousness, and (3) your reconciliation with God. Each of these ideas is awesome! Which of these three aspects of the verse has God impressed most strongly on you today? Select one of the three and share it. God has impressed most strongly upon me as I read this verse, the phrase "once for all." So often we come to Christ in repentance again and again recalling all past sins, instead of coming to Christ with a repentant heart, believing that Jesus is the Son of God died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. As we come to Christ we should come thanking Him for dying in our stead for the forgiveness of sins ONCE. PRAISE GOD!

Q2. (3:15-16) Why is it so hard for us to be a witness when we're persecuted? Why is it easy in tough places to be the wrong kind of witness? Which one of Peter's four instructions do you find most needed in your particular situation? It is so hard for us to be a witness when we're persecuted because so often we focus on the pain we're experiencing and not the strength God is giving us to forbear. It is easy in tough places to be the wrong kind of witness when we are not mindful of the fact that we have the Spirit within to empower and to guide us in all things. Of Peter's four instructions I find most needed in my particular situation, to "Focus on Christ rather than your fears". I agree with Dr. Wilson that this is vital. Just this morning I was also reminded that fear propels illness. But on the other hand the good fear, the fear of the Lord will bring the focus on Christ and drive away all fears.

Q1. (3:8-9) Which of the qualities Peter mentions in 3:8-9 are most evident in your congregation? Which are most needed? What can you and your friends do to change the relational climate at your Church so it is more Christ-like? The quality most evident in my church is being affectionate as brothers and sisters. The most needed is humility, which is, sadly, missing from many congregations. As brothers and sisters we must encourage each other to do these things that honors Christ and harmonize the fellowship.

Q5. (3:7) How can treating one's wife wrongly hinder a husband's prayers? How can treating a husband wrongly hinder a wife's prayers? For both the husband and the wife, their prayers are hindered because God is listening to prayers offered from a pure and loving heart.

Q4. (3:7) Why should a husband relate to his wife with knowledge and wisdom? In what way does this demonstrate love? In what way does this demonstrate self-interest? Why do men sometimes try to dominate their wives? Why do wives sometimes try to dominate their husbands? What harm does this do? How is domination of another person contrary to God's nature? A husband should relate to his wife with knowledge and wisdom so that nothing hinders his prayers, his communion with God. This demonstrates love because it give honor not only to the wife but also to God. This demonstrates self-interest because the husband should see his wife as one with him. Men and women sometimes try to dominate each other because of erroneous teachings and poor social upbringing that is a part of the old adam and not yet crucified. In any relationship this will be harmful because it shows a disrespect and is contrary to God's nature because He tells us to submit to each other.

Q3. (3:4-6) How does a person cultivate inner beauty? How does one gain character? Why is true character so important and precious to God? How can character help a Christian woman win and hang onto her husband? A person cultivate inner beauty having a pure heart. Character is gain from a pure heart, out of which flow the very thoughts of a man. True character is important and precious to God because it come out of faith in God; without which we cannot see His face. Character help a Christian woman win and hang onto her husband when she is doing what is upright and lives in good relations with her husband.

Q2. (3:3) Why should women try to look their best? How can trying to look their best divert women from what is more important? What is the balance? Women should try to look their best because they are showing appreciation for God's gift to them; showing forth God's glory. Trying to look their best can divert women from what is more important when they forsake the things of God to labor on outer beauty. A women should give due diligence to show forth the glory of God in all she does.

Q1. (3:1) Why is submission so difficult for us humans? Does submission require you to be silent when you don't agree or feel something can be improved? When is submission wrong for Christian? Submission so difficult for us humans because we feel we are giving another rights over us. Submission does not require us to be silent when we don't agree or feel something can be improved. Submission calls for us to speak up with grace. God's word tells us to let our words come forth with grace. It is wrong for Christians to submit to sinning of any kind.

Q4. (2:24b) If Jesus died to set us free from sin's power, why does sin have such power over us still? According to 2:24b, how must we deal with sin? In practical terms, how can we "die to sin"? In everyday language, what does "live for righteousness" mean? Sin has such power over us, still, because it is a curse on the world that will be in the world until Christ returns. According to 2:24b, we must deal with sin by believing that we are made whole by the stripes Jesus suffered. In practical terms, we can "die to sin" by trusting in the wounded Savior and allow the atonement of the cross to bring us a living salvation. In everyday language, "live for righteousness" mean to living in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit; living with the mind of Christ within us.

Q3. (2:24a) This may seem like a simplistic question, but give it thought before you answer, and then answer thoughtfully. What is the significance to you personally that Jesus bore your sins in his own body on the cross? Jesus having bore my sins in His own body gives me an assurance of salvation. When I repent of sins I've committed and seek His forgiveness I can be certain that it is indeed forgiven as Jesus has already stood as substitution for our atonement,

Q2. Why is Jesus' sinlessness important to understanding your salvation? In what way do you think Jesus suffered when your sins were poured into his soul? How could a sinless Man stand this kind of corruption? Jesus' sinlessness is important to understanding for our salvation because as a man he live in a state of sinlessness having the same temptations as we have, yet he lived a holy and righteous life. Jesus suffered when our sins were poured into his soul as He saw our rebellion against righteous living. He stood this kind of suffering because He loves us.

Q1. (2:21) According to 2:21, in what sense did Jesus suffer for you personally? According to 2:21, Jesus suffer for us personally in the sense that His suffering was an example for us. We are also to suffer for righteousness sake.

Q4. (2:21-23) How does Christ's example speak to your situation? How is your behavior going to be different because of what you see in Jesus' character in this passage? See Christ as He suffered and said not a word. Is is this character that we should seek to emulate and to practice so that in every suffering moment we look to Him and glorify Him as He leads us on.

Q3. (2:18-20) How does being an employee "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace? Can a conscientious Christian be a complainer? Why or why not? How do you usually react to prolonged, unfair treatment at your work? Awareness and "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace because we are aware of God's presence with us in that moment, to bring us through any injustice. A conscientious Christian who meditates on the word of God will have an on time word when he feels the need to complain. Instead of complaining he will chose to get encouragement from the Word of God. When there is prolonged, unfair treatment at your work, seek God's guidance on next steps. He will lead you into doing what is right.

Q2. (2:18) If we are to submit to our employers and respect them, what is that saying about God's expectation that we do a good job? In what sense do we dishonor God when we don't give our full effort to our jobs? When we submit to our employers and respect them, this is God's expectation and doing a good job honors Him because we show gratitude in the use of the giftings and abilities that He has given to us. We use them for the glory of God.

Q1. (2:15-16) In what way is God's glory dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives? How is God hurt when we get rebellious? God's glory is dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives because it is through us that the unsaved will see the demonstration of God's grace when we walk in obedience to His word. God has given to us His will for our lives, the way in which we honor Him and bring Him glory is in our submissiveness and obedience in carrying out His commands. When we go against God's will we are rebelling and this hurts Him. In many circumstances it can have a domino effect; your disobedience lead to that of another and another, and continues. God's will being rebelled against. When we do things in order, we set the stage for the next action to be honorable and glorify God.

Q2. (2:5) If your praise is primarily for God's benefit, not your own, how should you be offering praise? Not for our benefit but to glorify Him, our praise should be a sacrifice to God.

Being a part of God's own people should inspire us to live holy as God is holy.

Q4. (2:11) Read 1 Peter 2:11 carefully. The world tells us (1) to conform and (2) that sin won't hurt us. What does Peter tell us to combat these lies? How can this reminder help us? Peter tells us that we are not to conform to the world, not to sin because this conforming and sinning will rob us of eternal life with God; it wars against the soul.

Q5. (2:12) How can the good deeds we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise. How does our "blending in" detract from God's praise? The good deeds that we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise because we were created for the praise of God. Blending in detracts from God's praise because He is not the focus of the praise.

Q1. (2.5) Christians often look at their relation to God as consumers, delighting in what God does for them. What is the mindset of a priest towards God? What actions does this mindset inspire in you? A priest mindset towards God is that of a servant, offering sacrifice to Him. Servant-hood should also be our mindset, in all we do we should present ourselves to be acceptable to God.

Q4. (1:18-19) Have you ever felt you were of no worth or of no value? What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say about your worth? What does it say about God's love for you? What does it indicate about the long-term value of your balance sheet and financial assets? What are your true long-term investments? Why? Given a circumstance, I might feel of no worth or no value. In 1 Peter 1:1819 Peter says it is the precious blood of Christ that we were redeemed. The say that God loves us beyond measure, He shed his blood for us, We are of more value to God than any thing else in this world. In long-term value we are valueless, no price or value can compare to where God has position us for eternity.

Q3. (1:17) Why are people in our culture so upset when they sense they are being judged by someone else? How do you reconcile final judgment with God's love for the world? Why must final judgment be at the core of the Good News of Jesus Christ? What happens to the Gospel when final judgment is left out or ignored? People in our culture are upset when they sense they are being judged by someone else because they are reminded that they are prone to sinning, they are not holy. Because God so love the world He has made provision for man t be forgiven of sin. Man need only repent and ask for forgiveness and he will be forgiven. Final judgment must be at the core of the Good News of Jesus Christ because it let man know that there is hope. Better days are coming. When final judgment is left out or ignored the gospel is incomplete. The complete gospel is the love of God the provision He made for mankind to be redeemed and the reward of eternal life to all who believe

Q2. (1:15-16) In your own words, how would you define "holiness"? In what sense are you (by definition) holy now? In what sense must you be obedient in order to become holy? What is your biggest struggle with holiness? Holiness in one simple word is god-likeness. By definition I am holy because Christ lives in me and through the power of the Holy Spirit I am living and walking by faith. I must be faithful in obedience to the Word of God to maintain holiness Indeed, the biggest obstacle to being holy is the struggle to be accepted by everyone bordering on conforming)

Q1. (1:13) What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? Why should it inspire hope? Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? The coming of Christ should get our undivided attention if we live each day with this in view. At Christ coming the promises of eternal life will be realized, the inspection of our ministry and fruits will be rewarded. This is a day that all born again children of God look forward to, as He promise so shall it be. This should inspire in us self-control and soberness because the day and the hour is not in our hands so we should be sober in our ministering and expect Christ coming to be imminent. However, we we live in an unexpectant state we fall short of giving God glory in our day to day living.