- As you prepare your heart for study, know that God desires to reveal Himself to you, and He has given you His Holy Spirit to guide you into truth. Before you open in prayer, consider Jeremiah 9:23-24. “This is what the Lord declares: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.” Pray for this understanding and knowledge of God with the Holy Spirit as your guide.
- Read 1 Peter 5:10-11
- Though Christians suffer, their suffering will not last forever. Peter here says that our suffering will last for only a “little while.” However, all of us can think of people whose suffering has lasted for what seems like a long time. In what way is it true that Christians only suffer for a “little while”?
- The hope Christians have in the midst of suffering is not just for a short duration of trouble, but also for their God who will come to their defense. In 5:10, Peter calls Him the “God of all grace.” What stands out to you most about this description?
- Peter uses a variety of phrases in 5:10 that all make the same point: our gracious God will take care of us. Think of the last time you had a significant time of suffering/struggle in your life. How does this verse encourage you in your time of trouble?
- After talking about all that God has done (and will do) for us, Peter breaks into a short doxology (time of praise) in 5:11. Take a moment and write your own doxology expressing your thankfulness to God for what He has shown you in your study of 1 Peter.
To access the entire “True Grace” Study, click here.