Welcome
As we journey through 1 Peter together, we want to equip you as households to have conversations with one another about the sermon series. Each week, there will be a blog post featuring a brief recap of the sermon passage for the week, a few quick ideas for how your family can dive deeper into the passage together during the week, and a challenge for you to complete and share using the hashtag #1peterchallenge.
Recap
1 Peter 1:3-9 By Lindsey
Peter reminds us here of our reasons for rejoicing! He says that we have new birth and a living hope, that we have faith that is more precious than gold, and that Jesus is guarding these things for us in heaven where nothing can damage or harm them. We have all lost something during this pandemic. Some things are small, some are bigger, but what Peter reminds us of here in this passage is that we could lose everything, and we would be okay because the best gifts we have been given are being watched over for us by God. But it can be hard for us to live like this is true! How do we live with our hope in Jesus even when we don’t have all the good gifts he has promised us yet?
Check this out
This video is a beautiful illustration of the waiting, already-but-not-yet nature of our life as people who live in God’s kingdom. It might make you hungry…
Going Deeper With…
Preschoolers
1 Peter 1:8 says “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” Though there are big words in these verses, the ideas are easy for a preschooler to relate to. They are concrete—they know they can’t see Jesus, and it’s probably something you’ve already talked about. Try out this paraphrase, “You love Jesus, even though you can’t see him. Even though you don’t see him, you trust that he sees you and loves you, and this is good news.” I wonder how it makes you feel to know that even though you can’t see Jesus, he sees you and loves you. I wonder if there is something you’d like to say to Jesus about that.
A few ideas for you to carry this idea through the week:
One day, pray at breakfast that the Holy Spirit will help your family to pay attention to Jesus. At the end of the day ask, “I wonder when you felt close to Jesus today.”
Talk about the 5 senses, ask what things kids do experience (see, taste, touch, smell, hear) that remind them of Jesus. Model this by sharing true experiences from your own life like, When I hear worship songs, I feel joy in my heart for what Jesus has done for me. OR Seeing a candle helps me remember that Jesus is with me even when I can’t see him.
Elementary Kids
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 in a child-friendly version of the Bible (like the NIrV).
Peter says that God has given us two things—what are they?
Talk with your parent or a sibling about the new birth and living hope Peter describe in this passage.
What does Peter say about your faith? What does it mean to you to hear that?
I wonder if it has ever bothered you that you can’t see Jesus. I wonder what it will be like when we do see Jesus.
BONUS: Can you draw a picture or make a piece of art inspired by the “new birth” and “living hope” we read about in this passage? If you would like to share these pictures with the congregation, email them to lgoetz@firstpresaurora.org. Don’t forget to sign your name!
Middle & High Schoolers
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 in the New Living Translation.
Peter says that we live with "great expectation." Where does that come from? What do we expect?
Peter also says that your faith will be tested as fire tests gold. Talk with a parent or another adult in the church. How has their faith been tested? How have they seen it refined?
We have a "priceless inheritance," and there is "wonderful joy ahead." Take 2-3 minutes to imagine that wonderful joy at the end of your road. What do you imagine it will look like? What are you most excited about?
1 Peter Challenge
#1peterchallenge: Prayer & Nature Walk. Take a prayer and nature walk together around your neighborhood. Keep alert to the beauty you see. Ask God to help you notice and pray for the sad and broken things in your neighborhood. If you’d like, use this guide as you walk and pray. Take a photo of your walk and share it on social media with the hashtag #1peterchallenge.