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What is the difference between a functional church and a hierarchical one? Is shepherding just a pastor's job or is there work we should all be evolved in? In this episode, we examine Peter's exhortation to the elders in the churches and what it means to truly shepherd the flock of God.

Jesus warned his disciples that the world would hate and persecute them because of their proclaimed faith in him. How is it then that the regular insults of life can cause a crisis of faith in "prosperity gospel" Christianity, let alone actual persecution? Join us as we examine the hard and glorious realities of following Christ in a world at loggerheads with him and how we can trust our Faithful Creator in the midst of suffering.

The love of Jesus, poured out in blood on Calvary's hill, surely covered a multitude of sins. How can our love do the same? Join us as we explore this rich verses in 1 Peter and learn of the power of love and need for faithfulness.

1 Peter 4:6 states that "the gospel was preached even to those who are dead." Are these dead the "spirits in prison" that Christ preached to? Is there a second chance at salvation in Hades? Who are these dead that "might live in the spirit"? Join us as we look into these verses in their cultural and literary context and find encouragement for our walk with Christ today.

"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking" (1 Pet. 4:1) How exactly are we to weaponize our thinking in the cause of Christ? Join us as we discuss the role of suffering in the life of the disciple and how and who it is that empowers us to walk in transformed kingdom life.

What does Noah's flood and Christian baptism have to do with each other? Who are the spirits in prison that Christ preached to and what was his message? Join us as we discuss the most controversial verses in 1 Peter and learn about the practical impact of water baptism in spiritual warfare.

Peter wrote to the congregations in Anatolia to encourage them in their time of suffering and strengthen them for the trials yet to come. In the powerful and challenging episode, we examine what it means to have "unity of mind" toward one another and how we are to respond when the world reacts with hostility toward our faith in Christ.

In the Greek text of this section of 1 Peter, the apostle writes nearly four times the words in encouraging and instructing the wives as he does the husbands. Why is that? Join us as we examine the cultural context of mixed-faith marriage in the early Gentile church and what it teaches us about our walk with God in trying circumstances.

In this powerful episode, we look to Christ's example in suffering and unjust treatment in order to follow in his footsteps and live to righteousness.

If modern English Bible versions translated 1 Peter 2:18 as "Slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect..." it would be jarring to modern ears and sensibilities. But it was to slaves that Peter was writing and his encouragement to them in their day teaches us much about the Lord we are following, the Righteous One who suffered for us, and exposes our need to be more concerned about our character than we are about our circumstances. Join us as we learn about slavery in the ancient world, its practice in the Western Hemisphere, and its presence with us today.

The Apostle Peter was writing from Rome to congregations composed primarily of people in the lower strata of Greco-Roman society who were about to face an escalation of hostility toward them because of their faith. His encouragement and direction to them on how to keep, carry, and proclaim the faith are as applicable to day as they were then. Join us as we take a deep dive into 1 Peter 2:1-17.

In this episode, we step behind the English version into some of the nuances of the Greek text of 1 Peter 1:22-25. Join us as we examine what it means to be purified, learn of the baptismal undercurrent of being "born again," and look into the imperishable truth of the gospel.

In this episode, we begin to unpack the initial truths and promises of this encouraging and practical epistle. Who are "the elect exiles of the Dispersion"? What is the imperishable seed through which we have been born again? What is holiness and how do we walk in it? Join us as we learn the apostles' doctrine from Peter.

In this episode, we begin our study of 1 Peter. Join us as we dive into the historical background of the letter, the man who wrote it, the people who received it, and the major themes it addresses.

In this episode, we continue our examination of how Jesus shepherded Peter through denial and desertion back to loving discipleship. Join us as see that Jesus is never surprised by what we do regardless how frequently he behaves in ways we don't expect.