Lessons Archive

So Your Prayers May Not Be Hindered (1 Peter 3:7-12)

After addressing the wives, Peter turns his attention to the husbands. He calls them to treat their wives with honor and understanding, "that your prayers may not be hindered." We first consider the challenging New Testament teaching for Christian husbands, to lay down their lives in love to meet the needs of their wives. We

So Your Prayers May Not Be Hindered (1 Peter 3:7-12) View Lesson

On Submission and Adornment (1 Peter 2:18-3:6)

Peter calls slaves to submit to their masters. How do we grapple with this disturbing counter-cultural teaching, and how might its principles apply to Christians today? Peter also calls wives to submit to their husbands. Can we dismiss this commandment as a relic from a backward, unenlightened era; or does it still apply in Christian

On Submission and Adornment (1 Peter 2:18-3:6) View Lesson

Fear God (1 Peter 2:17b)

Peter gives a sweeping statement that covers the range of our relationships: "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." In this lesson we explore his call for Christians to fear God. Why not call us to love God, instead? Isn’t loving God a much better motivation than fearing Him? Is the

Fear God (1 Peter 2:17b) View Lesson

Honor the King (1 Peter 2:11-17a)

Peter calls us to "honor the king," to submit respectfully to whatever governing authorities we are under. Paul also spoke about this principle in Romans 13, where he said that these authorities have been established by God. In this lesson we consider the implications of this challenging teaching, in light of Scriptural examples and early

Honor the King (1 Peter 2:11-17a) View Lesson

Hail the Sun of Righteousness

In the last stanza of the famous hymn, "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" is the line, “Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! ...Risen with healing in his wings." Charles Wesley took this prophecy about Jesus from the end of Malachi. In this message we explore this and other prophecies that speak of Christ as being like the

Hail the Sun of Righteousness View Lesson

Called Out of Darkness (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Peter reminds Christians that we have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. This theme of light and darkness is found throughout Scriptures. With the benefit of other insights from the New Testament, as well as unforgettable quotes from an early Christian writer, we can better appreciate the significance of Peter’s statement. This

Called Out of Darkness (1 Peter 2:9-10) View Lesson

Christ the Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4-8)

Peter refers to Christians are "living stones" who are being built into a spiritual house for God. He then discusses three Old Testament prophecies about Jesus that refer to Him as a stone. In this lesson, we look at prophecies referencing stones that reveal different aspects of Jesus’ life and mission. These build our faith

Christ the Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4-8) View Lesson

The Word that Endures Forever (1 Peter 1:14-2:3)

Peter calls us to live holy lives, following Jesus, who suffered before entering His glory. One important reason to do this, according to Peter, is because we will be judged by our works. How do we reconcile that with the idea that we are saved by God’s grace? Peter also speaks of the word of

The Word that Endures Forever (1 Peter 1:14-2:3) View Lesson

As the Prophets Wrote (1 Peter 1:10-13)

The ‘Spirit of Christ’ was in the prophets, who testified of Jesus' sufferings and the glories to follow. This includes things so remarkable that even angels desire to look into them! Peter’s masterful use of the Old Testament, whether addressing Jews or Gentiles, demonstrates the practicality and usefulness of the Old Testament to us today.

As the Prophets Wrote (1 Peter 1:10-13) View Lesson

The Goal of Our Faith (1 Peter 1:1-9)

Peter’s letter begins with a demolition of the modern so-called "prosperity gospel." He reminds us that our goal is heaven, not a comfortable life here on earth. We can rejoice in the face of suffering, which serves to refine our faith as gold is refined by fire. Peter’s challenges are especially compelling in view of

The Goal of Our Faith (1 Peter 1:1-9) View Lesson