1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times

by Sue Edwards

It’s easy for Christians to be strong in their faith when they are comfortable--in their church, in a small-group, in their family. But what happens if they are faced with prison, poverty, and pain? Life is more demanding than ever before. Finances are tight, relationships are stressed, and disappointments are common. Why is it so hard to stand up for God during these troubling times? The letter of 1 Peter was heard by women who knew times like these. This newest addition to the Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study series digs into 1 Peter and takes a look at the stories of real women--past and present--to teach today’s woman how to stand faithful to God regardless of her trials, however severe. Women today need Bible study to keep balanced, focused, and Christ-centered in their busy worlds. The study questions in this guide allow readers to choose the study level that fits their lifestyle. To provide even more flexibility, readers may pick a different level each week, depending on their schedule. Whatever level of study they choose, women will find fresh solutions and hope to help them overcome obstacles so they can experience victory when discouragement takes hold.

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2011

About the author

I am an assistant professor of Christian education at Dallas Theological Seminary, specializing in Women's Studies. I also love to write as a way to share my love for people and God's Word. I have authored 6 books with two more in the works. Each book is a tool to help women and men sharpen their ministry skills and serve others more effectively."

Reviews

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was helpful in leading our Sunday School class on 1 Peter. It is obviously geared for a woman's study, but the men in the class were good natured about the bias. There was good information. Many of the discussion questions were good. There was explanatory material which was helpful.

[Laurel Thomas]

I am the first one to admit that my knowledge of the Bible is limited. I am familiar with some of the New Testament due to a course I took in college, but I would hardly call myself an expert. 1 Peter is one of the letters that Saint Peter addressed to travelers in five provinces of Asia Minor. There are three levels that you may choose while using the study: a “core” level in which you learn the basics of the reading, a “digging deeper” level in which you use outside resources to study corresponding history and geography, and a “summit” level in which you explore deeper issues of the text. During the next six weeks, I will be using the core level of the study; it is my hope that I can go back and complete the other levels in the future.
Lesson one covers Chapter One, Verses 1-12. This section of 1 Peter talks about preparing for opposition. We may find that our faith is tested many times in our lives. I know that that is true of myself. One the earliest tests I was given was in the sixth grade. I was attending a parochial school for the first time, even though I was not Catholic myself. I was one of the only two non-Catholic students in my religion class and the only one at the time who was unbaptized. Our teacher was an unabashed nun who would leave at the end of the year and take off her habit for a room of pleading 11 year olds. However, while we were her students, she gave no absolution. She would rap a large stick on the desks of students who gave the wrong answers. And there were a lot of those, considering the majority of the class failed the first test she gave. She preferred to seat us according to grade average, making this “heathen” child feel even more out of place. It wasn’t that I was ignorant of Christianity; I had been raised in church from an early age. I just felt lost in a world of rituals that I knew nothing about. I grew more confident with Catholicism as I went further in school, but I think that that experience stayed with me as I struggled with religion later in life. I spent years trying to figure out the truth on my own, facing opposition in every direction.

I waded through my struggles and found my way home. I still feel uneasy sometimes in my faith, especially when Christianity is attacked. It matters not what other people say; Jesus knows the nature of our hearts. Peter says, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:3. I cherish that fact that I have been made anew. Even when I trip up, the Lord will love me and cover my mistakes.

In the end, the greatest opposition that I faced was myself, but I never faced it alone. Even though I wasn’t always faithful, God remembered who I was. He kept calling for me to return and one day, I found myself listening. And so we keep the conversation going.

I will be posting future weeks' lessons as the study progresses. So far, I am enjoying learning more about Peter and what he wrote.

Disclosure: I was provided with a review copy of this book from Kregel Publications for review purposes. No monetary compensation has been provided.