Living Set Apart: A 7-Part Study Through 1 Peter
While many people are familiar with the Apostle Peter, not everyone realizes that he wrote two Epistles in the New Testament. Whenever we think of the Epistles, we often think about Paul’s letters; however, Peter, John, and James also wrote Epistles to various churches. Peter wrote both 1 Peter and 2 Peter to believers in Asia Minor who were undergoing persecution for their faith (1 Peter 1:1-2).
Through this seven-part Bible study, we will learn about the Epistle of 1 Peter, how it relates to us, and the teachings it contains that we can apply to our lives. Each part will begin with a focus passage, followed by a summary, and end with challenge questions. At the end of the Bible study, there will be a guided prayer.
1. Assurance of Salvation (1 Peter 1:8-9)
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).
The first chapter of 1 Peter contains many powerful truths; however, in this part, we will focus on the teaching found in 1 Peter 1:8-9. In this passage, we see the beauty of our salvation. Although we have not seen Jesus, we love Him and are filled with wonderful joy. We are receiving the end result of our faith—salvation. This truth is worth reflecting on as we study 1 Peter because it reminds us of the assurance we have in our salvation.
As believers, it can sometimes be difficult to feel confident about our salvation. Due to the stress and worries of life, there are times when we question it. We may wonder, “Did I believe enough?” Other times, we ask ourselves, “Do I truly believe?” These doubts can make us feel as though we are not truly saved. However, 1 Peter 1:8-9 reminds us that we can be assured of our faith in the Lord and the salvation He has given us.
Challenge Questions:
Have you ever doubted your salvation?
How can you give these worries and doubts over to God?
After reflecting on 1 Peter 1:8-9, does it give you assurance of salvation?
2. Cultivating Holiness (1 Peter 1:13-16)
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
As followers of the Lord, it is vital that we cultivate holiness. Just as God is holy, He calls us to be holy as well. We can do this by keeping our minds alert and sober, setting our hope on the Lord, and refusing to conform to the evil desires of this world. God wants us to be obedient, yet many of us sadly view obedience as a negative thing. In reality, being obedient to God is a wonderful thing because it means we are following Him and doing what is right.
Living according to the evil desires of the flesh leads us into disobedience toward God. We will never grow in holiness if we are constantly living in sin. God has set us apart from the world, and He desires for us to live in holiness. While we will never be perfect, we can choose to be obedient to God and strive to follow His teachings in the Bible. This is exactly what Peter is telling us in 1 Peter 1:13–16. He is encouraging us to be obedient children of God who pursue a holy, peaceful, and grace-filled life.
Challenge Questions:
Are you more prone to walk according to God or according to the sinful flesh? Why do you think this is?
Have you cultivated holiness in your life? If not, how can you begin cultivating holiness today?
What are a few steps you can take today to faithfully follow God?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/thekopmylife
3. Rid Yourself of Everything Sinful (1 Peter 2:1-3)
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-3).
Even though many Christians have normalized sin in their lives, God does not want us to live this way. As Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:1-3, we need to rid ourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Instead of allowing these qualities to remain in us, we should cultivate love, patience, kindness, joy, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Turning away from evil and pursuing holiness is what we are called to do as believers in the Lord.
Moreover, we need to crave spiritual milk so that we can grow in our salvation. Since we have tasted that the Lord is good, there is every reason for us to continue growing in our faith. Whether we are new believers or have followed Christ for many years, we must continue to crave spiritual nourishment and cultivate our walk with Him. As we grow in the Lord, we will become more likely to rid ourselves of sinful habits and begin living holy and godly lives that honor Him.
Challenge Questions:
Are you currently struggling with malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander? If so, how can you turn to God for help?
Are you craving spiritual milk right now? If not, how can you begin developing a deeper desire to know God better?
Through reading the Bible and praying to God, we grow in our salvation. What are some steps you can take today to begin practicing these spiritual disciplines?
4. We Are Chosen by God (1 Peter 2:9-10)
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Many of us struggle with understanding that we are part of God’s chosen people. While Israel is the chosen people of God, we have been adopted into the family of God through the blood of Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, Peter tells us that we are chosen, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession. We have been made all of these things so that we may declare the praises of God, who has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Once we were not God’s people, but now we are His people, and we have received His mercy.
When we reflect on these truths from 1 Peter, we see that there is no room for self-doubt. We have been chosen by God and set apart by Him. There may be days when we feel unlovable or rejected by others, but God has already chosen us. He loves us, and we are His special possession. He has called us out of the darkness of unbelief and into the light of salvation. When we dwell on this truth, it reminds us how deeply valued we are by God and how great His love is for us.
Challenge Questions:
How does it feel to know that you are chosen by God?
We are God’s special possession. How does this truth change the way you view yourself?
We were once separated from God and were not His people. How can you praise the Lord today for dying for our sins and paying the debt we could never afford?
5. Suffering for Doing What Is Right (1 Peter 3:14-17)
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:14-17).
From this passage, we learn about the importance of suffering for doing what is right. When we suffer for doing what is right, we are blessed. We need to continue to set Christ as Lord in our hearts and be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks about our faith. However, we do not need to be rude or belligerent in our responses, as this can push people away from the Lord. Instead, we should respond with gentleness, respect, and kindness.
By extending Jesus’ love and showing kindness to others, we may put to shame those who have spoken badly about us. When unbelievers see our good behavior, they will have little reason to speak negatively about the Lord or about us. Therefore, even when we are persecuted for our faith, we must continue to do what is right. Suffering for doing good is a blessing. It may not feel like it in the moment, but God sees our efforts and our desire to live in a way that honors Him.
Challenge Questions:
Suffering for doing what is right and suffering for doing what is wrong are very different. Can you share examples of both?
Extending Jesus’ love when others are mean to us can be difficult. What do you think could help make this easier?
Peter says it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Why do you think he says this?
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AaronAmat
6. Living for the Will of God (1 Peter 4:2-3)
“As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry” (1 Peter 4:2-3).
God does not want us to live our lives for human desires. These desires are rooted in sin and will lead us far away from Him. Instead of living for evil human desires, we are called to live according to the will of God. Many of us have already spent much of our lives living in sin, but now it is time to turn away from these things. Rather than living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry, we are called to live pure, holy, and godly lives.
From the moment we place our faith in Jesus, we begin becoming a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit dwells within us and begins guiding us toward holiness and godliness. When we first became believers, many of us had an eager desire to serve the Lord and turn away from sinful behaviors. Sadly, this motivation can fade over time. However, it is never too late to turn away from sin and begin living for God again. Life is too short to spend it living any other way.
Challenge Questions:
Are you currently living for evil human desires or for the will of God?
How can you begin living for the will of God today?
If you have lost the spiritual fervor you once had, how can you regain it?
7. Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God (1 Peter 5:6-7)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
For the final part of this Bible study, we are focusing on humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God. Peter tells us that when we do this, God will lift us up in due time. We are also reminded that we can cast our anxiety on God because He cares for us. While 1 Peter contains many powerful truths, 1 Peter 5:6-7 offers us comfort, grace, and peace. Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God brings a level of comfort and peace that only He can provide.
In the same way, casting our anxiety on God gives us lasting peace. Rather than holding on to anxious thoughts and worries, we can choose to give these troubles over to Him. God is able to carry all of our anxieties and provide us with true and lasting peace. Choose today to place these burdens in His hands and allow His peace, love, and mercy to fill your heart.
Challenge Questions:
How can you humble yourself under God’s mighty hand today?
Have you ever cast your anxiety on God? If not, what is holding you back?
Anxiety can overwhelm us, but God is able to help. How can you strengthen your trust in Him today?
Pray with me:
Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me about 1 Peter. Please help me apply these lessons to my life and truly walk according to Your will. I humble myself under Your mighty hand and cast my anxiety on You. Guide me to do what is right, even if it means suffering. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/pcess609
Originally published March 06, 2026.
