Suffering
- Cornerstone Church
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The past couple of weeks have been spent dealing with the Apostle Paul’s letters to different churches and individuals in the region of Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey. This week shifts to the letter of 1 Peter, from the Apostle known as Simon Peter. This letter is also to the churches in Asia Minor. The Book of Acts last saw Peter tending to the church in Jerusalem; however, by the end of 1 Peter, the readers find out that he has also journeyed to Rome, similar to Paul. Peter gives several sermons recorded in the book of Acts, which similar material is found in this letter as well. He refers to the church in Rome as “she who is in Babylon,” which might be confusing. The letter was actually penned by a man named Silvanus on behalf of Peter’s dictation. A major theme of the letter is how to handle suffering and live victorious lives in Christ. Suffering faithfully serves to identify with Christ and honor him, which is a strong witness to those watching. Lastly, we will begin the book of Hebrews. More on that next week, but for now, be looking for how Jesus is better. That is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Week 47
Bible Reading Plan
Daily Prayer Plan
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the books of 1 Peter and Hebrews, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
R.E.A.D. - Repeated words. Examine & mark. Ask what I learn about God? Do.
STUDY IT.
Read Acts 2:14, & 1 Peter 1:1,5:12-13. What do we learn about Peter’s whereabouts? Read Matthew 16:15-18. What was Peter’s confession upon which the church would be built?
Read 1 Peter 2:4-8 & Acts 4:8-12. Who is the Cornerstone?
Read 1 Peter 1:6-9, 2:11-12, 2:18–21. What do you learn about the Christian model of how to handle suffering from these verses?
Read 1 Peter 3:9 & 3:13-22. What do you learn about the Christian model of how to handle suffering from these verses?
Read 1 Peter 4:1, 4:12-16, & 4:19. What do you learn about the Christian’s model of how to handle suffering from these verses?
SHARE IT.
Read 1 Peter 1:22-25. How can you take steps to love sincerely in light of your new birth?
Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. How would your perspective or attitude be different if you kept this in mind daily?
Read 1 Peter 2:13-18. How is this admonition applicable to your modern American life?
Read 1 Peter 3:8-9. How is this admonition applicable to your modern American life?
Read 1 Peter 5:6-11. How do these verses inspire confidence in your fight for holiness in difficult circumstances against challenging adversaries?
FINAL THOUGHT
God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son of promise is a story well known around the world. God stayed Abraham’s hand and provided a substitute through a ram with his horns caught in a thicket. Hundreds of years later Moses would see a burning bush that was not consumed. God was in the thorn bush but not consuming it. Of all the plants God could have used when introducing Himself, why the thorn bush? God foreshadows the story of redemption. That He is a God of suffering, for His Glory and our good. Moses would stand on holy ground in the presence of God because the perfect promised Son would come to take the crown of thorns on the hill of wrath. Jesus now reigns victoriously, and “22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.” (1 Peter 3:22)
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