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 5:12-14 by Lindsey
What happens at the end of our worship services? We hold our hands out for a blessing, and then we sing a song together. Usually it’s “My Friends May You Grow in Grace.” Do you like this part of the service? It is one of my favorite parts because It reminds us of two very important things: First, that Jesus is always with us, and second that he has given us one another. Here at the end of 1 Peter, Peter is reminding God’s people of both of these things. We have talked before about how Peter told God’s people to remember who they are: a part of God’s family, God’s own children. Peter also told God’s people to remember that they do not walk alone. God has given them the gift of other believers to walk with. I wonder if Peter was remembering the time that he was hiding in a room with some of Jesus’ other friends. They had all seen Jesus go back up into heaven after he had risen from the dead when a big wind started blowing. That wind blew and blew. Jesus’ friends were so scared. Do you know what happened? Little fires came on their heads. Everyone in that room was filled with God’s Holy Spirit, the helper that Jesus had promised them. Peter was there. He went outside and he started preaching the Good News about Jesus to everyone there. And do you know what? Though there were many people from many places, they heard about Jesus in their own language—the Holy Spirit was with Peter and with his friends, making them able to do amazing things to bring glory to God. I wonder if Peter remembered this story when things seemed hard, or when he felt tired. I wonder if he thought about being in that room with those people and seeing everyone so full of God’s Spirit that they were on fire. I wonder if it helped him feel brave when he felt shy, or strong when he felt weak. I wonder if it reminded him that he was never alone, even when he felt lonely. I wonder what this story does for you. I wonder if there is a time you remember when you were close to God or with God’s people that helps you when you are feeling tired, or weak, or scared. I wonder if there’s someone you can share that with.
Check this out
The book God’s Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell talks about how God has called all different kinds of people to be a part of his family. Praise Jesus for making peace by the blood of his cross (Col. 1:20).
Going Deeper With …
Preschoolers
Make a list of seven people you know who are God’s people. You could write their names on a piece of paper, draw pictures of them, or print pictures. Each day this week, pray for one of those people, call them, send them a letter or picture. Ask your child if they have any ideas for how to encourage or bless fellow believers.
Elementary Kids
Read 1 Peter 5:12-14 in a child-friendly version of the Bible (like the NIrV).
Do you know who Silas is? Check out Acts 15:30-35.
Verse 13 mentions a “she” and someone named Mark.
New Testament writers sometimes use the word “She” to talk about the church. Why do you think they do this? Check out Ephesians 5:25-27.
Mark worked to spread the gospel with Peter, and you can read about him in Acts. He also wrote the Gospel of Mark.
Notice that Peter calls Silas his brother, he calls Mark his son, and he tells God’s people to “greet one another with a kiss of love.” What do you think about the way Peter talks about God’s people? Do you feel close to God’s people like you do to family?
It’s COVID-time, and we can’t greet one another with a kiss of love, or even a hug in most cases. What are some other ways you can show love or encouragement to your fellow believers?
Middle & High Schoolers
Read 1 Peter 5:12-14 in the New Living Translation.
Do you know who Silas is? Look at Acts 15:30-35. How do you think Silas helped Peter?
Verse 13 mentions a “she” (in the ESV) and someone named Mark.
New Testament writers sometimes use the word “she” to talk about the church. Why do you think they do this? Look at Ephesians 5:25-27.
Mark worked to spread the gospel with Peter, and you can read about him in Acts. He also wrote the Gospel of Mark, and many people believe he wrote it with Peter as his primary source!
Notice that Peter calls Silas his brother, he calls Mark his son, and he tells God’s people to “greet one another with a kiss of love.” What do you think about the way Peter talks about God’s people? Do you feel close to God’s people like you do to family?
It’s COVID-time, and we can’t greet one another with a kiss of love, or even a hug in most cases. What are some other ways you can show love or encouragement to your fellow believers?