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, and a few quick ideas for how your family can dive deeper into the passage together during the week.
Recap
1 Peter 4:1-6 by Lindsey
Our passage today reminds me of a conversation that Jesus and Peter had. One day, while Jesus was walking with his friends, he turned to look at them and he said, “Who do people say I am?” His disciples piped up with all kinds of answers—some of them thought he was one of the great leaders of God’s people from long ago come back to life. After listening to them, Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus’ friends were a little quiet. No one talked. And then Peter, the same guy who wrote 1 Peter, spoke up. “You are the Christ,” Peter said, “the one God sent to rescue his people!” Do you know what Jesus said? He said, “Peter! You are blessed, because you couldn’t have figured this out on your own! The Holy Spirit showed you this truth!” Then Jesus went on to tell Peter that he would be an important part of building God’s church. The story isn’t over yet though. Right after this, Jesus told his friends some sad news. They were so excited to hear that he was the one God sent to rescue them, that what Jesus said next was probably very confusing. Jesus said, “I will suffer. I will be left out, pushed aside, made fun of, hurt, beaten, and killed. But even all this suffering will not stop God’s plan. In fact, I will rise again!” Well, this was very hard to understand. We like to think that rescuers are powerful people who beat the bad guys and never feel any pain. Peter believed this so much that he took Jesus aside and told him that he was wrong. “Jesus, If you are the rescuer, this can’t be right!” Do you know what Jesus did? He had some strong words for Peter. He said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about things the way that God does, but the way that people do.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to follow me, you have to give up your own ways, get ready to suffer, and follow me. If you try to live by the rules of the world, you will die, but if you give your life to me, you will live forever. Is it worth it? To get everything that looks good to you now, and be separated from God forever?”
I wonder if Peter was thinking about this story when he wrote the words we read in 1 Peter this week. I wonder if he was remembering what it felt like to be so confused by the way that God’s world works differently from the world. I wonder if Peter still felt confused, but he trusted Jesus more. I wonder if Peter remembered seeing Jesus get hurt and killed and then seeing him after he had risen from the dead. I wonder if Peter realized that life in God’s way had always worked, even if it had been confusing to him at the time. I wonder what part of this story is your favorite part. I wonder what parts are confusing to you. I wonder what you would like to say to Jesus about this story.
Check this out
At the Family service each week, we will say the Apostle’s Creed in question format. You can find that here so that you can practice it at home.
Going Deeper With …
Preschoolers
Listen to You are the Christ by Slugs & Bugs. This is a musical account of the story of Jesus & Peter from Mark 8. Randall Goodgame has some helpful thoughts and ideas for having a conversation with your kids about this song here.
Elementary Kids
Read 1 Peter 4:1-6 in a child-friendly version of the Bible (like the NIrV).
What stands out to you in this passage?
Read Mark 8:27-29, 31-35. What do you notice about this story?
What things are similar or different between these two passages?
When is it hard for you to lay your life down?
What would you like to say to Jesus about this passage?
Middle & High Schoolers
Read 1 Peter 4:1-6 in the New Living Translation.
How does God’s word challenge you in these verses?
Peter says, “Since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too.” How does it make you feel to know that Jesus suffered for you? We get to share in his suffering!
The idea of God’s judgment is never a pleasant thought, but it’s a necessary one. It’s easy to live as though life will never end, as though our actions have no ultimate consequences. Take a minute or two to remember that one day Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead. Are you ready for his coming?
Peter says, “You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.” Ask the Lord to fill you with a desire to live not for yourself but for Him!