Series Summary:

This world is suffering filled with uncertain hopes, sold hopes, false hopes, and shattered hopes. Is there anywhere that you can SET YOUR HOPE? How? Join us in 1 Peter for 7 weeks as God tells us, like He told His people nearly 2000 years ago, where and how to SET YOUR HOPE! #1peter #2025

Starter

What is a foundational principle that you have lived by that has served you and others well in your life?

Pray

Lord this world, while beautiful, is suffering filled with uncertain hopes, sold hopes, false hopes, and shattered hopes. It often lead us and others to be uncertain on where to set our hope. However, you came to give us a clear picture of the person and a place we are to set our hope. Help us as we live as exiles waiting for you our living hope. Over the next several weeks, may we learn better how to set our hope on You, and tell others, “SET YOUR HOPE” on Jesus. Amen

Study Questions

READ: 1 Peter 1:24-2:17

  1. If we truly believe that all flesh is like grass, what does 1 Peter 1:24-2:4 say will be our focus?
    1. What do these verses say we will do if that is our focus?
    2. How are you at doing those things? explain

READ: Ezekiel 36:26-28, Matthew 7:24, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 10:1-4, 2 Corinthians 3:3, Hebrews 11:8-10

  1. 1 Peter 2:4-5 tells us we are living stones being built into a spiritual house.
    1. What does that mean?
    2. What things in the other verses we read help us to understand and clarify Peter’s living stones analogy?
  2. We are living stones, priests, and chosen people. Peter uses plural and collective nouns. How can you, our group, and our church live in such a way that we better reflect the collective?
  3. Over and over the Bible communicates, Do not harden your hearts… 1 Samuel 6:6, Psalm 95:8, Ephesians 4:18, Hebrews 3:8, 15, 4:7.
    1. Discuss what the process of the hardening of our hearts involves?
    2. What might the process of the softening our hearts of stone involve? (also see: Ezekiel 36:26-28)

1 Peter 2:6-9 goes on a rant using multiple Old Testament references to clarify and back up what he is trying to communicate to the church. He quotes Isaiah 28:16-18, 42:12, 43:21, Psalm 18:46, Psalm 118:22, 2 Samuel 22:47, Deuteronomy 4:20, 7:6; 10:15, Exodus 19:5-6; 23:22; Isaiah 61:6.

  1. Who are all these verses prophesying about?
  2. What is the entire foundation of everything in our faith and our hope built on?
    1. Why is that foundation crucial to remember?
    2. What often happens when we forget that foundation or take it for granted?
  3. How does the true message about the cornerstone Jesus Christ cause people to stumble? (1 Peter 2:7-8)
  4. Peter says we are now a people who have received mercy. What does he mean by that statement in 2:10?
    1. In such a broken merciless world, how do we help ourselves and each other set our hope on His mercy that we have received? (1 Peter 2:11-12)
  5. Why did God make us a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession and then leave us here? (1 Peter 2:9)
    1. How do our praises expose where we set our hope and what we are building?

READ: Romans 12:1-5