Reading Plan: 

1 Peter 5 

From Scattered to Gathered 

Author: Nikki Payton 

For the past month, we have heard the leaders of our church discuss navigating our hope, integrity, and relationship with Jesus in the middle of a scattered life. We are spread out and stretched thin by the busyness of schedules, vacationing, summer projects, and kids being home from school, all in addition to the general uncertainty and unpredictability of life. The Book of 1 Peter gives us so many major truths we can take into our next series. 

In Chapter 5, Peter, with the assistance of his secretary, Silas, concludes his letter (1 Peter 5:12). Let us just pause for a moment and celebrate Peter and Silas' art and commitment to crafting a handwritten letter a millennium before any advanced technology was available. They used simple raw materials: a metal stylus dipped in soot for ink and papyrus paper. While papyrus was a definite advancement from Moses' stone and clay tablets, papyrus was equally difficult to work with. The stylus would often get caught in the fibers, which created tiny holes that slowed the scribe's writing. Exposure to harsh natural elements, travel, and extensive use from handling quickly compromised the integrity of both the paper and ink. Peter and Silas' labor of love would travel through "the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia," – hundreds of thousands of square miles, according to Pastor Blake Houston (1 Peter 1:2). 

In this concluding chapter, the theme shifts to responsibility, obedience, and leadership. Peter is tapping into his memories with Jesus as he implores the leaders of the house churches. 

“Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:2-3) 

Shortly after Jesus' resurrection, he takes an opportunity to prepare Peter for his future ministry. He asks Peter three times. "Do you love me, Peter?" Each time Peter answers, “yes.” Jesus commands Peter all three times to feed His sheep (John 15: 17-21). In the above verse, we see Peter making the same appeal to church leaders – to feed Jesus' sheep.

After urging the flock to be respectful and obedient to their elders, Peter concludes with a beautiful prayer and rolls up the scroll for dispersion: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen."

During the summer semester, as we rest from House Church gatherings, may we embrace Peter’s challenge and continue to care for those in our flock. May we stay vigilant against the enemy’s schemes by standing firm in our faith and casting all anxiety on God until we are together again, and may we trust that in due time, we’ll receive “the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

Reflection: 

• The end of June is an excellent mid-semester check-in point to build your House Church relationships. Host a dinner at your home, or simply meet up with some of your House Church family to discuss what God has taught you through this series.
  
• We have learned from Peter the fine art of letter-writing and how words across time and geographical boundaries can impact others. Write an old-fashioned letter with stationery and an envelope to a long-distance friend, and share with them what you have learned from this series.
  
• Prayer: Father, thank You for protecting Your Word through the ages, so that we may have a beautiful gift: a complete, beautifully compiled, organized love letter of Your salvation plan for us from Genesis to Revelation. I pray that we never take our precious freedom to read Your Word for granted. Impress within us a desire to reach those who thirst for understanding. In our Savior's dear name, Amen. 

Family Application: Humility is the way of Jesus.  

Author: Cooper Herrington

• For the past few weeks, we have been reading through 1 Peter. Today is the last chapter in 1 Peter. This chapter tells us about being a leader. When we read these verses, we have instructions for the type of leader God wants us to become. 
• Who is the best leader you know? What makes that leader great? I bet what a lot of those people have in common is humility. Great leaders are great because they make the people around them better. A great leader is great because everything is not about them. When great leaders lead, they help other people become great too. When everything is not just about us, it is called humility.  
• Humility is one trait of a great leader. The greatest leader of all time is Jesus. Once He humbly washed his disciples' feet (John 13). Even though Jesus was the leader of the group, He served the disciples. What is one way you can be humble and serve others today?   
• Prayer: God, You are so good to me! Thank You, Jesus, for showing me the type of leader You want me to become! God, send me one person I can serve today. Amen.