2/11/24 – 2/17/24

Although other rabbis of the first century in the region of Galilee did not choose Simon the fisherman to become their disciple, Jesus did. According to the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel account, “as Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16-18 NRSV). Throughout Jesus’ ministry Simon Peter was part of the inner circle of leaders within the group of disciples (Mark 9:2-8). Luke’s account of the Day of Pentecost and the stories recorded in the first fifteen chapters of the book of Acts reveal that Peter was a key leader in the church in Jerusalem during the earliest years of Christianity. This week we will read and study 1 Peter, a letter written on behalf of the apostle to Gentile Christians during a season of persecution. Near the end of the letter, it is noted that “Through Silvanus {Silas}, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God” (1 Peter 5:12 NRSV). As we read 1 Peter this week the apostle of Christ will remind us to continue living our faith as a holy and royal priesthood of believers even when we endure suffering and persecution because of being part of Jesus’ Church.

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

• Read a portion of a Psalm
• Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait for the Lord
• Read The Bible verses for the day
• Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses
• Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn
• Pray
• Live in response to Jesus

 

DAILY MESSAGE:

Each day read part of the Psalm to begin your time set apart to be with and encounter the living God revealed in and through Christ our Savior:

 

O my people, listen! For I am your God. Listen! – Psalm 50:7 TLB

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verse. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – John 15:9-12 (receive God’s love)

Monday – 1 Peter 1:1-2:3 (You’re encouraged to watch the 1 Peter Summary video and read the introduction to the letter in a Study Bible before reading the first chapter.)

Tuesday – 1 Peter 2:4-3:7

Ash Wednesday – 1 Peter 3:8-22

Thursday – 1 Peter 4

Friday – 1 Peter 5

Saturday – Psalm 46:10, Psalm 37:7, and Leviticus 23:3 (The Sabbath theme for this weekend is “STOP & REST.”)

 

VIDEO TO WATCH:

You are invited to watch the Book of 1 Peter Summary video before reading chapter 1 on Monday. The link below is for YouTube, but you can also find the video on The Bible Project website:

Book of 1 Peter Summary by The Bible Project

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

What do these Bible verses reveal about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and/or the Holy Spirit?

 

What do these verses reveal about people?

 

What is God’s message for me from what I read?

 

How should I respond to God’s message today and this week?

 

Luke 24:51-53 reveals that the disciples “worshiped” the resurrected Jesus with “great joy.” How am I responding to our resurrected Savior and Lord today?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day of rest and worship this coming weekend?

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a Worship Song or Hymn to help you respond to God to express your love for the Lord. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some or all of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.

 

PRAY reading The Bible verse(s) again as you allow scripture to guide your prayer. You may feel the Holy Spirit guiding you to lift up joys and concerns too, then conclude praying to manifest the fruit of the Spirit using Steve Harper’s prayer from the book A Pocket Guide to Prayer:

 

Come, Holy Spirit. Be my guide and the guardian of all my ways.

Fill me anew with yourself that I may manifest your fruit:

love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,

and self-control. Amen.

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online or listen to audio versions as well.