Commissioned

Q2. (3:3) Why should women try to look their best? How can trying to look their best divert women from what is more important? What is the balance? Women should try to look their best because they are showing appreciation for God's gift to them; showing forth God's glory. Trying to look their best can divert women from what is more important when they forsake the things of God to labor on outer beauty. A women should give due diligence to show forth the glory of God in all she does.

Q1. (3:1) Why is submission so difficult for us humans? Does submission require you to be silent when you don't agree or feel something can be improved? When is submission wrong for Christian? Submission so difficult for us humans because we feel we are giving another rights over us. Submission does not require us to be silent when we don't agree or feel something can be improved. Submission calls for us to speak up with grace. God's word tells us to let our words come forth with grace. It is wrong for Christians to submit to sinning of any kind.

Q4. (2:24b) If Jesus died to set us free from sin's power, why does sin have such power over us still? According to 2:24b, how must we deal with sin? In practical terms, how can we "die to sin"? In everyday language, what does "live for righteousness" mean? Sin has such power over us, still, because it is a curse on the world that will be in the world until Christ returns. According to 2:24b, we must deal with sin by believing that we are made whole by the stripes Jesus suffered. In practical terms, we can "die to sin" by trusting in the wounded Savior and allow the atonement of the cross to bring us a living salvation. In everyday language, "live for righteousness" mean to living in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit; living with the mind of Christ within us.

Q3. (2:24a) This may seem like a simplistic question, but give it thought before you answer, and then answer thoughtfully. What is the significance to you personally that Jesus bore your sins in his own body on the cross? Jesus having bore my sins in His own body gives me an assurance of salvation. When I repent of sins I've committed and seek His forgiveness I can be certain that it is indeed forgiven as Jesus has already stood as substitution for our atonement,

Q2. Why is Jesus' sinlessness important to understanding your salvation? In what way do you think Jesus suffered when your sins were poured into his soul? How could a sinless Man stand this kind of corruption? Jesus' sinlessness is important to understanding for our salvation because as a man he live in a state of sinlessness having the same temptations as we have, yet he lived a holy and righteous life. Jesus suffered when our sins were poured into his soul as He saw our rebellion against righteous living. He stood this kind of suffering because He loves us.

Q1. (2:21) According to 2:21, in what sense did Jesus suffer for you personally? According to 2:21, Jesus suffer for us personally in the sense that His suffering was an example for us. We are also to suffer for righteousness sake.

Q4. (2:21-23) How does Christ's example speak to your situation? How is your behavior going to be different because of what you see in Jesus' character in this passage? See Christ as He suffered and said not a word. Is is this character that we should seek to emulate and to practice so that in every suffering moment we look to Him and glorify Him as He leads us on.

Q3. (2:18-20) How does being an employee "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace? Can a conscientious Christian be a complainer? Why or why not? How do you usually react to prolonged, unfair treatment at your work? Awareness and "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace because we are aware of God's presence with us in that moment, to bring us through any injustice. A conscientious Christian who meditates on the word of God will have an on time word when he feels the need to complain. Instead of complaining he will chose to get encouragement from the Word of God. When there is prolonged, unfair treatment at your work, seek God's guidance on next steps. He will lead you into doing what is right.

Q2. (2:18) If we are to submit to our employers and respect them, what is that saying about God's expectation that we do a good job? In what sense do we dishonor God when we don't give our full effort to our jobs? When we submit to our employers and respect them, this is God's expectation and doing a good job honors Him because we show gratitude in the use of the giftings and abilities that He has given to us. We use them for the glory of God.

Q1. (2:15-16) In what way is God's glory dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives? How is God hurt when we get rebellious? God's glory is dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives because it is through us that the unsaved will see the demonstration of God's grace when we walk in obedience to His word. God has given to us His will for our lives, the way in which we honor Him and bring Him glory is in our submissiveness and obedience in carrying out His commands. When we go against God's will we are rebelling and this hurts Him. In many circumstances it can have a domino effect; your disobedience lead to that of another and another, and continues. God's will being rebelled against. When we do things in order, we set the stage for the next action to be honorable and glorify God.

Q2. (2:5) If your praise is primarily for God's benefit, not your own, how should you be offering praise? Not for our benefit but to glorify Him, our praise should be a sacrifice to God.

Being a part of God's own people should inspire us to live holy as God is holy.

Q4. (2:11) Read 1 Peter 2:11 carefully. The world tells us (1) to conform and (2) that sin won't hurt us. What does Peter tell us to combat these lies? How can this reminder help us? Peter tells us that we are not to conform to the world, not to sin because this conforming and sinning will rob us of eternal life with God; it wars against the soul.

Q5. (2:12) How can the good deeds we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise. How does our "blending in" detract from God's praise? The good deeds that we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise because we were created for the praise of God. Blending in detracts from God's praise because He is not the focus of the praise.

Q1. (2.5) Christians often look at their relation to God as consumers, delighting in what God does for them. What is the mindset of a priest towards God? What actions does this mindset inspire in you? A priest mindset towards God is that of a servant, offering sacrifice to Him. Servant-hood should also be our mindset, in all we do we should present ourselves to be acceptable to God.

Q4. (1:18-19) Have you ever felt you were of no worth or of no value? What does 1 Peter 1:18-19 say about your worth? What does it say about God's love for you? What does it indicate about the long-term value of your balance sheet and financial assets? What are your true long-term investments? Why? Given a circumstance, I might feel of no worth or no value. In 1 Peter 1:1819 Peter says it is the precious blood of Christ that we were redeemed. The say that God loves us beyond measure, He shed his blood for us, We are of more value to God than any thing else in this world. In long-term value we are valueless, no price or value can compare to where God has position us for eternity.

Q3. (1:17) Why are people in our culture so upset when they sense they are being judged by someone else? How do you reconcile final judgment with God's love for the world? Why must final judgment be at the core of the Good News of Jesus Christ? What happens to the Gospel when final judgment is left out or ignored? People in our culture are upset when they sense they are being judged by someone else because they are reminded that they are prone to sinning, they are not holy. Because God so love the world He has made provision for man t be forgiven of sin. Man need only repent and ask for forgiveness and he will be forgiven. Final judgment must be at the core of the Good News of Jesus Christ because it let man know that there is hope. Better days are coming. When final judgment is left out or ignored the gospel is incomplete. The complete gospel is the love of God the provision He made for mankind to be redeemed and the reward of eternal life to all who believe

Q2. (1:15-16) In your own words, how would you define "holiness"? In what sense are you (by definition) holy now? In what sense must you be obedient in order to become holy? What is your biggest struggle with holiness? Holiness in one simple word is god-likeness. By definition I am holy because Christ lives in me and through the power of the Holy Spirit I am living and walking by faith. I must be faithful in obedience to the Word of God to maintain holiness Indeed, the biggest obstacle to being holy is the struggle to be accepted by everyone bordering on conforming)

Q1. (1:13) What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? Why should it inspire hope? Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? The coming of Christ should get our undivided attention if we live each day with this in view. At Christ coming the promises of eternal life will be realized, the inspection of our ministry and fruits will be rewarded. This is a day that all born again children of God look forward to, as He promise so shall it be. This should inspire in us self-control and soberness because the day and the hour is not in our hands so we should be sober in our ministering and expect Christ coming to be imminent. However, we we live in an unexpectant state we fall short of giving God glory in our day to day living.

Q5. (1:8-9) According to 1 Peter 1:8-9, what is the basis of Christian joy that is "inexpressible and glorious"? How does this joy interplay with human emotions? Is it essentially emotional? How does it differ from what is generally regarded as the pursuit of "happiness"? Extra Credit: How can you tell the genuine article of joy from the counterfeit? According to 1 Peter 1:8-9, the basis of Christian joy that is "inexpressible and glorious" is having not seen Jesus you believe in Him you are still filled with love for Him and give Him praise and worship. This joy interplays with human emotions in that in the natural there should be sadness and pain; but supernatural peace fills you and you express the joy of the Lord. This expression of joy goes beyond emotions to the supernatural. It differs from the pursuit of "happiness" in that the goal is not tangible or earthy, rather it is spiritual. The genuine article of joy can be seen from the counterfeit when one in the midst of great hardship can joyously give praise and worship Our Heavenly Father. ("Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1:8-9))

Q4. (1:6-7) Can you remember any instances in which God used difficult circumstances to refine and purify your faith? What did God accomplish in your life? How, exactly, does genuine, tested faith bring glory to Jesus? Yes. After going through a period when I felt that those around me were oblivious to the pain I was going through; it was God and His word that drew me to Him and caused faith and trust in God to increase. Genuine, tested faith brings glory to God when a child of God is totally captivated by God's sovereignty and His omnipotence.

Q3. (1:5) According to 1 Peter 1:5, what is God's part in securing your salvation? What is your part? God's part in securing my salvation is revealed in His power to complete the process that will secure my salvation even before I was born. My part, by faith given to me by God, is to accept the gift that Christ death on the cross brought. "... Who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1:5)

Q2. (1:2) Why do forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package? Why is it deceptive to think you can have one without the other? Extra credit: If true faith requires obedience, how can we say that we are saved by grace rather than works? (Ephesians 2:8-10) I feel forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package because they are a part of the sanctifying work if the Spirit. We come to Christ in faith, the work of the Holy Spirit begins in us we are forgiven, the blood of Jesus cleansing us and the power to live a sanctified life through the empowering of the Spirit causes us to obey the commands and word of God. It is deceptive to think that you can have one without the other because it is not solely dependent on our effort, it is the work of the Spirit of God. True faith does require obedience, It is our obedience through the grace given to us that we are saved. (Almost liken the chicken and the egg. Which came first?)

How would you describe the behavior of a Christian who identifies more with his present homeland than his heavenly one? Have you ever caught yourself doing this? What has to happen to get our spiritual priorities straight? A Christian who identifies more with his present homeland than his heavenly one is laying up treasures here on earth where they will be destroyed. This Christian's heart will follow after earthly treasures instead of preparing for the joys of Heaven. I have caught myself in this situation and am determined by the grace of God to keep my eyes on the prize that I can lay at the Master's feet. (Matthew 6:19-24 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.")

Joshua’s challenge to the Israelites was to serve God rather than man. God seem to challenge me to seek Him continually and rise to newer and deeper levels in Him. He saying move into a deeper commitment and step into a new season. I am praying for clearer directions.