- Take a moment to pray. Praise God for His Word and ask Him to teach you its truth, just as the psalmist prayed in Psalm 119:12-16, “Praise be to You, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth. I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways. I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word.”
- Read 1 Peter 4:19
- STUDY NOTE: After detailing the certain persecution of Christians, Peter encourages us to “entrust our souls to our faithful Creator.” This is a beautiful charge that deserves deep meditation by followers of Christ. In today’s study, we will meditate on this comment deeply.
- In 4:19, God is described as our “Faithful Creator.” This is a unique title of God in the New Testament. While God is called “creator” or “faithful” in other places, here alone are these two words placed together in a title for God. Why do you think Peter calls God His “Faithful Creator” here? What about this title gives hope to Christians who are being persecuted in Jesus’ name?
- What does it mean to “entrust one’s soul” to Jesus as you experience persecution? What would this practically look like in your life?
- Not only are Christians to entrust their souls to God, but they are to do this while also “doing good.” This is a reminder that Christians are not to simply pull out of society and await their future deliverance. They are to continue to engage in society as good citizens, spouses, workers, etc. (as seen in 1 Peter 2-3) out of reverence for Christ and love for one another. In what ways have you been challenged to continue to “do good” in this life as a result of your study of 1 Peter over the last couple of months?
- In the space below, summarize what you think 1 Peter 4:12-19 is saying concerning the suffering of a Christian.
To access the entire “True Grace” study of 1 Peter, click here.