1 Peter 2
Scripture:
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Observation:
People are always watching, so I say we should give them something to watch. I encourage you to live counter-culturally, in a biblical way. Put the needs of others above your own, and treat people like Jesus would. With all the scandal buzzing around our world, live a good life–a life that points to Jesus. This world is in desperate need of some good, solid, male role-models. I think you are a great candidate! As someone on the discipleship journey of becoming a Spirit-empowered man, you have an opportunity to model for others who Jesus is. Therefore, give them something to watch!
Application:
- Personal Application: Focus your energy on honoring God, staying holy, and treating others right. When we do this, we provide an opportunity for those around us to know Jesus also.
- Family Application: Ask your family what they think it means to “live such good lives.” Challenge each other to live out the answers they give. To have fun with this challenge, create a prize (ice cream) for the person that goes the longest before making a mistake (which we all will do eventually). This will take a certain amount of personal integrity to turn yourself in when you mess up. Check in over the next few days. When the last person is standing, celebrate that person and encourage everyone to keep living good lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
- Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God for the wisdom to know right from wrong and the strength to obey when he shows us.
- Family Prayer Focus: Pray that your family will carry God’s presence with them everywhere they go in a way that others will notice God’s goodness in them.
Three-Year Reading Plan for Sunday, August 16 to Sunday, August 23:
- Sunday, August 16: James 1
- Monday, August 17: James 2
- Tuesday, August 18: James 3
- Wednesday, August 19: James 4
- Thursday, August 20: James 5
- Friday, August 21: 1 Peter 1
- Saturday, August 22: 1 Peter 2
- Sunday, August 23: 1 Peter 3
—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.
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