Hopefully you've had a chance to read through the chapter this last week. I thought I would post some questions to get the discussion started... (for future chapters, I may try to have the questions ready at the beginning of the reading, so that there can be dialogue during the week, as we read). Think about these and answer them for yourself. Then I may put each one in a separate post so that they will be easier to discuss (and so the comments don't go on forever in this post). Does this sound like a good way to do this?
Some of these are "pot-stirring" questions (as Ryan would say). As with all the discussion here, please be honoring to those that may read as well as to the Holy Spirit who guides our learning. Pray for wisdom, then begin!
1. What do you think Peter means by "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" ?
2. What does Peter say is the reason behind the grief and trials his readers are suffering?
3. How does Peter describe our salvation?
4. Why does Peter say "prepare your minds for action"?
5. What does it mean to be holy?
6. Peter uses a "perishable vs. imperishable" contrast in several areas. What is he describing (and how do they relate)?
7. What truth did the readers obey, so that they now have a sincere love?
Friday, December 21, 2007
Some Questions
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3 comments:
I believe that God's foreknowledge or election or some call it predestination, just means that because of His gracious plan before creation- of Jesus shed blood, His purpose is to save ALL who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. All humanity is 'elected', none are excluded; however, some thru their unbelief will be lost. His foreknowledge is all seeing, tho. In God's great love and awesomeness, I just can't believe that He arbitrarily predetermines those who can believe and will be saved. He desires all to be saved.
Suffering is allowed in order to prove that our faith is real, as gold is refined by fire, the impurities are removed. When we stay steady in crises, we have approval from the Lord-- "praise and honor and glory at His appearing" ."
2. The reason behind the suffering is so that their faith may be proved genuine, to themselves and to others. Anyone can claim to believe something, but it is when you face difficulties that what you truly believe comes through.
When our faith is proved geniune, God is glorified.
5. To be set apart, clean, uncommon; to belong to God. We are to be the uncommon people amongst the common of the world. If we are holy, others can see God through us (Heb 12:14).
Have been thinking all week on "holiness"; God is our model of holiness. His purpose is that we should be like Him. It is done by the Holy Spirit, thru the blood of Christ....restoring His divine image to our souls so that our characters are acceptable to God; fitness for service and Heaven. It is right that man should resemble Him. I think thru our personal acceptance of His promises, believers are made "partakers of the divine nature" II Peter 1:4 Somewhere in the Bible it says, that what is in the heart will be manifested in life. it is our responsibility to follow His example. So, it strongly implies/ commands (be self-controlled, set our hope fully, be obedient) that we are to prepare our minds for action!
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