1 Peter 1:13-21
Verse 13 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.
Our verse from yesterday ended with these words, “…who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” This training is the act of studying His Word, not settling for a lukewarm interest for the things of God. As our verse today reminds us, this takes being alert and fully sober.
Maybe one of the ways we struggle with our learning and focus has to do with the age old belief that true Christians get up early and study their Bibles before starting the day. Though it isn’t wrong to read our Bibles in the morning if we aren’t fully awake we are not going to get much out of what we read. Starting the day in the Word can be a way of jump starting our focus to be on God for the whole day but it isn’t the only time to read and study the Bible.
Each of us knows the time of day we are most clearly thinking. Some are sharp in the morning, others are sharper in the evening. The key is remembering there isn’t a one fits all studying plan. As some kids learn better in a quiet environment and others can learn with the world noisily rushing on around them, we have different learning styles. Morning or evening, background music or perfect silence, it isn’t the atmosphere that matters, it is the subject being studied.
It is so easy to become trapped with the form of the activity instead of the actual studying. Peter knew the struggles of learning Christ’s ways more than most. Peter had walked with Jesus through three years of ministry and no one seemed to misunderstand things Jesus was saying more than Peter, but he didn’t stop asking questions. Jesus knew the heart behind Peter’s questions. He knew Peter was really wanting to know more about His teachings and the reason behind them.
Jesus did get frustrated with Peter’s questions a time or two but it was because of the truth behind the question. When Peter asked questions which were trying to understand what Jesus was teaching, Jesus willingly answered, but when the disciple’s questions were showing a distrust or doubt that Jesus was the promised Messiah he was rebuked by Christ. Jesus welcomed honest questions which would help Peter’s growth of faith but He wouldn’t allow Peter to get sidetracked by doubt the enemy was planting in Peter’s heart. Jesus welcomes our questions too, as long as they are questions for growth.
Making It Personal
Has your personal Bible study struggled because of trying to do someone else’s method? Do you know what your personal study environment is? How intentional are you about making time to study?
Making It Personal Kids
What surroundings make it easier for you to study? Do you ask questions to help you grow more in your knowledge of Jesus and His teachings? Is there something you want to know about today?
Closing Prayer
Father, we know we don’t always ask the correct questions. Give us the desire to know the things You want us to know and to do the work of studying to learn all we can. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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