Notes
Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).
John 1:42
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Colossians 3:2-4
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Matthew 16:23
Peter was an unsteady person and emotional rollercoaster. His focus was often on what he was experiencing in the present, not the future. But Jesus told him that his name was going to change to a name that meant “rock” - something solid and steady. Jesus didn’t change Peter’s personality, but aimed it in a different direction. Jesus saw the unstable person that Peter was, but also saw his potential and purpose. Later in Peter’s life, after Jesus’ resurrection, we get to see him as the bold, stable rock that Jesus said he was going to be.
Let’s look at what Peter had to say about how we can become spiritually rock solid:
1. Stay hopeful
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
1 Peter 1:3-7
Our hope has to be anchored in something that is heavier than our hardships. When Peter realized that Jesus had resurrected, that He had conquered death, it showed that no trouble would last forever. Now matter how hard the kingdoms of Earth may shake, God’s Kingdom will remain unshakable.
2. Stay hungry
So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
1 Peter 2:1-3
Spiritual milk is the Word of God. In the same way that babies need the nutrition of milk to grow physically, we need the nutrition of God’s Word to grow spiritually. Learn how to read the Bible and apply it, in context, to your life. It is built to transform our lives.
3. Stay humble
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
1 Peter 3:8
In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
1 Peter 5:5-6
We have diverse parts but one mission. We are here to spread the Good News, and come alongside each other on the journey. It’s not about us or what we can do, but about God and what He can do through us.
Group Questions
- Are you like Peter? Why do we often let our emotions decide how we act?
- What does it mean to have our hope anchored in something solid?
- How can we learn to read the Bible in context and apply what we learn?
- What does a humble life look like?
Prayer
Thank you for your unshakable kingdom. Though our world seems shaky, we have faith that your team prevails. You are our solid foundation.