Peter addressed his letter to a very specific audience: believers described as chosen people and also exiled people. In a world where those who are chosen, elected, and selected often reap the benefits of preferential treatment and due honor, it may seem odd that Peter associated being chosen with living as exiles. The word exile denotes that someone is an outsider and consequently doesn’t belong. Exiles are strangers, foreigners living away from their homeland. How is it that those who are esteemed are also marginalized? Well, we must properly identify where the Christian’s home is in order to the answer that question.
In a sense, Peter’s audience had been dispersed from their earthly homeland, and therefore were earthly exiles. But Scripture is clear that a Christian’s home is not on this earth. In fact, the Christian’s inheritance is being kept in heaven (v. 4). It only makes sense that the Christian’s homeland is in heaven with Christ, who will one day bring heaven to earth (see Rev. 21), where they will receive “preferential” treatment for eternity. It makes sense, then, why these Christians, whom God chose in Christ to be a part of His family, were deemed exiles on earth. Earth, as it exists during this age, wasn’t their home, and these Christians who were dispersed due to persecution knew this full well, as they were readily hated, rejected, and despised because of their faith.
We too venture through this foreign land, but we have a choice: Do we treat it as home and, in doing so, receive our preferential treatment and due honor here? Or do we face momentary pain and rejection on earth because of Jesus’ name in order to receive praise, glory, and honor when Christ is revealed to all (1 Pet. 1:7)?
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults
Every week for Volume 4: From Captivity to the Wilderness, Ken Braddy, Lifeway’s director of Sunday School, will offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Adults.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Students
Every week, student ministry leaders offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Students. Listen in as he shares:
- The main point of the session
- Any challenges and opportunities for additional discussion that may arise during this session
- Encouragements for leaders
Podcast (studentsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
A Final Reminder
Don’t forget, you can find tools to help you prepare and lead the discussion in the Additional Resources for this volume. We hope these are a blessing to you as you walk through this session together.
*This week’s leader devotional is written by Charity Dera. It is adapted from the daily devotions for Unit 28, Session 3 from The Gospel Project for Adults’ Daily Discipleship Guide.
