1 Peter Pt. 7: The Family of God
About the Series
NB: At this point in the sermon series, we’ve reviewed this overarching theme a few times. Instead of just reading the summary, consider asking your group if they can summarize the book’s theme in their own words.
1 Peter is a letter written to 1st-century Christians living on the edge of the Roman Empire, whom Peter calls “exiles” or “strangers.” These disciples are outsiders in society, but insiders in God’s Kingdom, born into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. Peter encourages them to rejoice, even in suffering, to love one another deeply, and live holy, disciplined lives. He challenges them as spiritually free people to choose to honor everyone, even those who treat them harshly. Underneath his encouragement and instruction is the underlying assumption that disciples of Jesus are learning to become like him—living their lives as He would. They may share in his suffering, but they will also share in his resurrection! Through this series, we are invited to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, becoming like Jesus in our families, workplaces, and communities.
Read this Sermon Recap
1 Peter pt. 7, The Family of God
The theme of blessing being paired with responsibility runs throughout the Scriptures. We see it in the garden, in the life of Abraham (“blessed to be a blessing” – Genesis 12), throughout the story of Israel, and on into the conversations in the NT. As Peter instructs these exiled Christians, he unfolds for them the implications of being born by faith into a new family – the very family of God.
As members of God’s family, disciples of Jesus:
Bear a new name (1 Peter 1:18,20). We’ve been grafted into the family of God, the family that IS God. God is Father, Christ our brother. At the same time, we’ve been liberated from the inheritances of our family of origin, from generational sin. From the Father we receive a new set of family values and priorities.
Belong to each other (1 Peter 1:22). All through this letter, the verbs are mostly plural. It’s addressed not to individuals in similar situations, but to a community. To a family. In Christ we are called not just to him, but to him together. When we receive the blessing of being born anew, we are also given the responsibility of family life: “love one another deeply from the heart.”
Are Bound together by the Holy Spirit. (1 Peter 2v4-5). As Peter describes how followers of Jesus are being built into a spiritual house, it is clear that it is the Holy Spirit who does the building. The Spirit is the builder and the mortar that connects the gaps between us. Paul says a similar thing in Ephesians 4:1-6. And if God has done such a work in making the many of us into one family, then we should “make every effort to maintain unity (Ephesians 4:3).
With all that God gives to us, He requires a response. With every blessing, responsibility. Is this a bait and switch? Are these blessings actually gracious, if it then places a responsibility on us to work to maintain them? No! Rightly received, the gifts of God are so good that the responsibility to care for them are fueled by our appreciation and gratitude for them.
This Evenings Practice
(Leaders: Before going into the questions, you may want to give your group a minute or so of silence, reflecting on and listening to the Spirit around the question, “What is Jesus inviting you to notice tonight?”)
Tonight, we are going to use this set of questions to guide our discussion. You may want to pull up the guide on your phone to help you process and reflect.
1. Is anything lingering in your mind/heart from Sunday that you’d like to discuss?
2. At the end of the sermon, we took time to meditate on the first words of the Lord’s Prayer – “Our Father” – bringing to mind the many others who also call God “Father.” Tonight, we’re going to give some more time and space to pray in this way.
As you prepare to pray, set aside whatever might be in your hands. Take a couple deep breaths to clear your mind. Ask one person to be a leader, to help direct the time of praying. Their job will be to speak out loud “Our Father”, and using one of the categories below to gently guide the group to think and pray in a new way. Don’t feel in any rush, or feel like you have to name/pray every category. Let the Spirit guide you as you pray together.
Our Father – we pray for those in this small group
Our Father – we pray for others who are part of the Refuge family
Our Father – we pray for members of our families, and other close friends
Our Father – we pray for those we have disagreements with
Our Father – we pray for fellow Christians throughout the world, some who face regular danger, even persecution for being faithful to Jesus
Our Father – we pray for (another group, as the Spirit leads)
When your time is ending, close by standing together as you’re able to pray the Lord’s Prayer together. If your group has children in the house, this would be an appropriate time to include them.
Practice for the Week
This is the end of the regular small group term. This week, as you reflect on your time with your group, send a note or text to someone else from your group, letting them know how you’ve appreciated your time together. If appropriate, let them know how you will be praying for them.