Living in Exile for Dummies
I. Remember WHO and WHOSE You Are (I Peter 1:1-2:10)
A. Those ADOPTED by God (1:3-4, 14, 17)
B. Those CALLED out of DARKNESS (2:9; Eph. 5:8-11)
C. Those who have RECEIVED MERCY (2:10; Luke 6:36; Matt. 18:23-35)
D. Those who are EXILES (1:1; 2:11, Phil. 3:20, James 1:1)
II. Watch Your WALK (2:11-15; Ps. 1)
A. WAGE the Right WAR (2:11; Eph. 6:11-13)
B. LIGHT up the WORLD (2:12-15; Eph. 5:8; Matt. 5:14-16)
III. Watch Your HEART (2:16-17; Matt. 23:25-26)
A. Beware the SELF–JUSTIFICATION of the Heart (2:16; Jer. 17:9)
B. A Different Kind of FREEDOM (1:18; 2:17; Rom. 6:19-23; I Cor. 6:19-20)
1. You are Free to LOVE the CHURCH
2. You are Free to WORSHIP GOD
3. You are Free to HONOUR AUTHORITY
IV. Living in BABYLON (5:13)
A. EXILES with a PRIESTLY Calling (2:9-11; Jer. 29:7)
B. SOLDIERS in a HOLY Battle (2:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:3-4)
C. FREE CITIZENS with a Higher LOYALTY (2:16-17; John 17:14-18)
Questions for Further Reflection
1. Kids’ Question: Can you imagine living in a different country? What would it be like? What would you like about that? What would you dislike?
2. What are some core aspects of your identity? How do you know these things to be true of yourself?
3. Do you see the language about being exiles as positive, neutral, or negative? In otherwords, is it good news that we are exiles? What impact does this news have on our lives?
4. Where do you find the most conflict in your life? Is it with other people? Sinful desires? Authorities?
5. Have you ever been accused of doing wrong when you were legitimately doing the rightthing? How did you handle that?
6. Considering how deceitful our hearts can be, how do you insure that you don’t use your freedom as a cover-up for evil?
7. Which of Peter’s instructions do you find the most difficult: Love the brotherhood, fear God, honour the king?
8. What part of the biblical image of a priest seems most difficult to live out in Babylon? Is there anything about the image that you find to be freeing or life-giving?