Week 37: Exploring James 5 and 1 Peter 1-4
In week 37 of our journey to read the New Testament in a year, we will dive into the final chapter of James and the first four chapters of 1 Peter. These passages offer guidance on living with patience, perseverance, and purpose amidst trials and call believers to embody holiness, humility, and compassion. James concludes his letter with a powerful reminder of the role of prayer and restoration within the community. Meanwhile, 1 Peter encourages us to embrace the hope and holiness found in Christ, live as a chosen people, and reflect God’s love in our relationships and actions. Together, these chapters challenge us to live out our faith with integrity and dedication.
James 5
In James 5, James warns the wealthy against oppressing others, urging patience and perseverance for those suffering injustice. He emphasizes the power of prayer in healing and restoration, encouraging believers to pray in faith and confess their sins. James ends with a reminder of God’s compassion and the importance of restoring those who wander from the truth.
1 Peter 1
In 1 Peter 1, Peter celebrates the living hope that believers have through Christ’s resurrection, assuring them of an eternal inheritance. He calls for a life of holiness, urging believers to reflect God’s character in their conduct. Trials are presented as refining processes, strengthening faith and preparing believers for the joy of salvation.
1 Peter 2
Peter describes believers as a “chosen people” in 1 Peter 2, set apart to bring glory to God. He encourages them to live honorably among non-believers, demonstrating humility and respect. By submitting to authority and following Christ’s example of suffering for righteousness, believers reflect God’s grace to the world.
1 Peter 3
In 1 Peter 3, Peter gives guidance on relationships within marriage and the broader community, advocating for mutual respect and compassion. He encourages believers to respond to persecution with gentleness and a clear conscience. Peter underscores the example of Christ’s suffering, which brings believers closer to God and demonstrates redemptive power.
1 Peter 4
1 Peter 4 calls believers to live with a sense of urgency, dedicating themselves to God’s will instead of sinful desires. Peter encourages mutual love, hospitality, and the responsible use of spiritual gifts within the church. He reminds believers that suffering for Christ brings glory and strengthens faith.
Week 37: New Testament Reading Assignment
Each week, we will read 5 chapters of the New Testament. Some people may prefer to read during the weekdays, while others might enjoy doing most of their reading on the weekends. Choose the method that works best for you!
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Week 37: Reflection Questions for James 5 and 1 Peter 1-4
Consider the following reflection questions:
James 5: Patience, Prayer, and Restoration
- What does James say about wealth and justice, and how can we prioritize fairness?
- How does he describe the role of prayer in healing, and in what ways can we incorporate prayer in times of trouble?
- Why does James encourage believers to confess their sins, and what might confession lead to in our relationships?
- What does he teach about restoring those who wander, and how can we support others in their faith journey?
1 Peter 1: Hope and Holiness
- How does Peter describe the inheritance that believers have, and how might this hope impact our daily lives?
- What does it mean to pursue holiness, and in what ways can we reflect God’s character?
- How do trials refine our faith, and where can we draw strength during these times?
- Why does Peter emphasize faith for our future, and how does this inspire resilience?
1 Peter 2: Chosen People and Humility
- What does it mean to be “chosen” by God, and how might this influence how we live?
- How does Peter instruct us to respond to authority, and how can we balance respect with integrity?
- In what ways does Christ’s example shape our response to challenges, and how might we adopt a similar attitude?
- How does living honorably among others demonstrate God’s love, and what actions support this?
1 Peter 3: Relationships and Suffering
- How does Peter describe respectful relationships, and what practices help foster harmony?
- How might responding to persecution with gentleness reflect Christ, and what inner qualities support this response?
- What does Christ’s example of suffering teach about redemption, and how might this deepen our faith?
- How can compassion and humility strengthen our community, and where can we practice these qualities?
1 Peter 4: Love, Gifts, and Suffering
- How does Peter explain living for God’s will, and how might we prioritize this in our lives?
- Why does he emphasize mutual love, and in what ways can this be practiced within our community?
- How can hospitality and using our gifts contribute to the church, and where might we offer these?
- What purpose does suffering for Christ serve, and how does it build our faith?
Reflective Prayer
Choose a few verses or topics from these chapters and pray over them. Consider using the ACTS method — Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication:
- Adoration: Praise God. What specific characteristics of God do these readings bring to mind?
- Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. What specific sins do these readings bring to mind?
- Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. What in these readings inspires gratitude?
- Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. What in these readings inspires a prayer?
If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.
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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
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