Bible Study - April 3rd
Bible Study for Sunday, April 3rd
"More Precious than Gold."
1 Peter 1:3-9 (The Message)
The Message (MSG) Eugene H. Peterson
3What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, 4including a future in heaven--and the future starts now! 5God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all--life healed and whole.
6I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. 7Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
8You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him--with laughter and singing. 9Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.
Comments:
There is the familiar saying, "Whatever doesn't break you will make you stronger." In this passage, the question of suffering and misfortunate is compared to the purification of gold. And yet, faith is revealed to be "more precious than gold."
In the time of the early church there was persecution and much suffering. Christians were often called to "stand up" for what they believed. Some suffered imprisonment and even death (as Jesus did).
What things do we have to "stand up for?" What things in our life cause us suffering? What is it that gives us the strength to "stand it?"
What was it that sustained the early Christians in their faith in the face of the overwhelming opposition of the Roman Empire?
How is this message different from some of the messages we get from television evangelists who say that God intends to reward us with "earthly" things. And that through "positive thinking" we can be healthier and wealthier.
Have you ever inherited something? What was it? Money, property, furniture, old letters, paintings ... what value did they have? Did it turn out to be what you thought it would?
What is the imperishable inheritance about which Peter talks? How does our faith allow us to "inherit" God's promises?
"More Precious than Gold."
1 Peter 1:3-9 (The Message)
The Message (MSG) Eugene H. Peterson
3What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, 4including a future in heaven--and the future starts now! 5God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all--life healed and whole.
6I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. 7Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
8You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him--with laughter and singing. 9Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.
Comments:
There is the familiar saying, "Whatever doesn't break you will make you stronger." In this passage, the question of suffering and misfortunate is compared to the purification of gold. And yet, faith is revealed to be "more precious than gold."
In the time of the early church there was persecution and much suffering. Christians were often called to "stand up" for what they believed. Some suffered imprisonment and even death (as Jesus did).
What things do we have to "stand up for?" What things in our life cause us suffering? What is it that gives us the strength to "stand it?"
What was it that sustained the early Christians in their faith in the face of the overwhelming opposition of the Roman Empire?
How is this message different from some of the messages we get from television evangelists who say that God intends to reward us with "earthly" things. And that through "positive thinking" we can be healthier and wealthier.
Have you ever inherited something? What was it? Money, property, furniture, old letters, paintings ... what value did they have? Did it turn out to be what you thought it would?
What is the imperishable inheritance about which Peter talks? How does our faith allow us to "inherit" God's promises?
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