1 Peter study and review- Week 1

   Have you ever felt persecuted for your faith?  For many years I felt safe and protected, as I knew my relationship with God was strong, yet I struggled with sharing it with others.  I'm certainly not ashamed of my beliefs, but I do tend to shy away from conflict.  It’s time for me to speak up.  
   1 Peter, written by Sue Edwards, is a Bible study created for women going through troubling times.  We have all been there whether it’s through relationships with others, our marriage, illness, general disappointments and other adversities.  Sue Edwards “shows women how to stand strong, respond, and even rejoice in the face of life’s disappointments.”  The study is 9 weeks long and over the next 9 weeks I will post about my personal thoughts and lessons learned through 1 Peter. Each lesson includes 3 levels of study to choose from depending on the time you have available and the amount of “digging” you wish to do in your journey.

   I feel so amazingly blessed to live in a country where I can worship as I please.  Praise the Lord!  So many people must worship in secret and live in fear.  I can’t even imagine what that is like.  My friends, both believers and non-believers, know that I am a Christian.  I am rarely persecuted, thankfully, but I believe that my non-believing friends hold me to a higher standard.  Some believe that as a Christian I am supposed to love and agree to everyone and everything, although this isn’t true.  God has commanded us to love our neighbors but we don’t have to agree with the way they live their lives.  I do believe that as time goes by Christians will be persecuted more and more.  This is a frightening thought but Sue Edwards explains to us that that is why we go through rough patches in our lives.  God puts us through trials so that we can strengthen our faith and become blessed for it.  We are commanded to bring glory and honor to God and this requires effort on our part.  God will not leave us even though we feel alone at times. I learned that in order for me to feel more confident in sharing God with others I must lean on the Lord and experience the life He has planned for me.  There are often times I would like to do otherwise, but we all know who knows what’s best for us, don’t we?  We learn about Peter, James and John who were personally trained by Jesus.  They grieved for Him when He died on the cross but later went on to minister to others as valiant leaders.  We must live by this amazing example.


   At the end of each weekly lesson a "Living Stone" story is shared.  This week we learn about Pastor Andy and his wife, Alice McQuitty.  Alice McQuitty tells of her husband's battle with cancer and how through the experience they felt amazing peace.  Yes, they were afraid, but not panicked.  "God is faithful in the best and worst of times, because that is who He is."  I loved reading this as it was such a testament of their faith!  Life's trials will come and go but God's love will always be there for us.  God is so good!


If you would like to join me in this Bible study, 1 Peter can be purchased here.

Sue Edwards is associate professor of Christian education (her specialization is women’s studies) at Dallas Theological Seminary where she has the opportunity to equip men and women for future ministry. She brings over thirty years of experience into the classroom as a Bible teacher, curriculum writer, and overseer of several megachurch women’s ministries. As pastor to women at Irving Bible Church and director of women’s ministry at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, she has worked with women from all walks of life, ages, and stages. Her passion is to see modern and postmodern women connect, learn from one another, and bond around God’s Word. Her Bible studies have ushered thousands of women all over the country and overseas into deeper Scripture study and community experiences.


*I received a complimentary copy of 1 Peter from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion.*