We're pumped that you have taken the initiative to study 1 & 2 Peter. You may have never studied the Bible before. You may be a veteran in the scriptures. Whoever you are, I know that you will grow through this study.

This study into Peter's letter to the scattered Church was on our heart near the end of 1ast year. I think that God is preparing the Church for something big in the near future because I have seen 1 & 2 Peter quoted often in different places in the past year. These books are a rich set of texts that address so much - on how believers should operate today in a world of sin. It is so hard to live for Jesus on your own, and God wants us to come together to help each other. Peter address roles for wives, husbands, and slaves, but also many practical things for any believer.

One of the main focuses is suffering. Peter points to what Christ did through his suffering and he calls each believer to follow Jesus in the same way. It’s definitely a tough subject because no one likes to suffer - but Peter assures us. I love how he says, in 1 Peter 5:10, that “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” Our suffering is so short compared to eternity! But also, this suffering that Christians all go through (small or big) secures us. It strengthens us. It molds us into who Christ wants us to be. And God doesn’t let us suffer alone, but he is with us all the way. Jesus is a good shepherd, and he will see to it that we are taken care of through any suffering or hardship. He knows that we can do it or he wouldn’t put us through it!

I can’t wait to see what this study does for YOU! It will challenge you. It is 8 weeks of daily readings, reflections, worship, and prayer. Like anything, you have to put in the effort. God is calling you today. Since you have started this and since you have come to this page - he has chosen YOU! Yes, YOU!

Here are a few tips about this study. We will have a focus chapter every week, and we are encouraging you to read the whole chapter every day along with that day's devotional. Have a Bible handy, because some days there will be scripture references that you may need to look up. I really hope you are doing this along with at least one other person, if not five or ten that you can meet weekly with in person. Lastly, don’t forget to pray. Actually if it is the only thing you do each day - pray! Your relationship with God is the most important thing. Your knowledge about God alone will get you nowhere without communication. He wants to do a work in you and me, and we have to be available for him to do a work in us.

Lastly, have fun as you build better relationships with your teams through the study.

And as always, you can reach out to me if you need anything!

Carter Reese

Director of FC Resources

creese@fullcountministries.com

615.400.2875

May, 2021