By Albert Brookhouse

Outline | Skit | “Not Knowing Who You Are”

1 Peter Outline

Our identity in Christ alone = Endurance for exiles

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ONE SENTENCE THEME 

God gives exiles a new identity through Christ and a future so they can endure,belong, and hope. 

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FLOW OF THE TEACHING (1 Hour) 

1. Identity Given (1 Peter 1–2) 

2. Faith Tested (1 Peter 3–4) 

3. Hope Secured (1 Peter 5) 

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INTRO  

Peter writes to believers who feel displaced, pressured, confused.He  starts with reminding them of the work done on the cross and God’s faithfulness . Peter is familiar with suffering and God’s faithfulness through his own experience.Acts 4:1-3; 12:4-6 

Ephesians 1-3: chosen, redeemed, and sealed ,Colossians3:1-4 Raised with Christ, seated at the right hand of God, hidden with Christ in God

1. IDENTITY GIVEN (Ch. 1–2) 

A. Born into a Living Hope (1:3–9) 

  • God caused us to be born again 
  • Into a living hope 
  • Through the resurrection 
  • Into an untouchable inheritance 

Cross References: Romans 8:17; Exodus 19:5-6

B. Set Apart to Be Holy (1:13–21) 

  • Exiles don’t blend in 
  • Their hope is set fully on grace 
  • Their lives reflect the God who called them 

Cross References: Exodus 19:5-6; Romans 12:1-2; Titus 2:11-14

C. A New People With a New Name (2:4–10)

Identity Titles: 

  • Living stones
  • Chosen race
  • Royal priesthood
  • Holy nation
  • God’s possession  

Cross References: Ephesians 2:19-22; Isaiah 28:16 (direct quote 1 Peter 2:6)

Big Point: Identity in Christ. Without Christ as the foundation (all eyes on Him)–without that–suffering crushes you. With it, suffering refines you. See 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:4; Joshua 1:9

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2. FAITH TESTED (Ch. 3–4) 

A. Faith in Relationships (3:1–12) – 

  • Marriage: A gentle and quiet spirit wins over outward adornment; it’s the heart that matters. Verse 2 – respectful: reverence, high regard; pure, chaste, modest, innocent, blameless before your husband. Ephesians 5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-25
  • Community: 1 Peter 3:8; Romans 12:15-17
  • Enemies 1 Peter3:9-14

B. Faith in Suffering (3:13–22) 

  • Suffering is not God’s absence
  • Psalm 23:4
  • It becomes a witness 
  • Christ suffered first
  • Cross references: Romans 8:31; Hebrews 13:6; James 1:2-4

Jesus the perfect example of how to suffer in a way that speaks FAITH (Isaiah 53:3-7). Suffering as a witness: 1 Peter 4:15-16

Quick glance at 1 Peter 3:20-21: See Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12, Titus 3:5 Regeneration by the Spirit ( not water)

C. Faith That Chooses God’s Will (4:1–11)

  • Exiles reject old passions 
  • They live for God’s will 
  • They use their gifts to serve 

Cross References: Romans 6:11-14; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

D. Faith in Fiery Trials (4:12–19) 

  • Trials are not strange 
  • They refine 
  • They prove faith genuine 

Cross References: James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-13

3. HOPE SECURED (Ch. 5) 

A. Shepherds Who Lead Like Christ (5:1–4) 

  • Not domineering 
  • Not greedy 
  • But willing, humble shepherds 

Cross References: Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Timothy 3:3; Jeremiah 3:15

B. Exiles Who Stand Firm in Grace (5:5–11) 

  • Humble yourselves 
  • Cast anxieties 
  • Resist the devil 
  • Stand firm 
  • God restores and strengthens 

Cross References: James 4:10; Philippians 4:6-7; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:13-17; Psalms 23:3; 40:1-3

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CLOSING  

Identity in Christ through faith produces hope.

Exiles who keep their eyes on Jesus — become unshakeable.

1 Peter Skit

Opening 

Peter, sitting at table prayerfully going over notes, Silvanus comes into room  

They greet each other, Silvanus sits at table picks up his pen, looks at Peter  

“Where do we begin?” 

Peter 

(Slow and thoughtful) 

“We need to remind them of the faithfulness of God” 

Pause. 

“And that they are called and chosen by God for His purpose” 

Silvanus 

“What is the Spirit telling you?“ 

Peter 

“‘To the elect exiles…’” 

Pause. 

“Yes. That’s right.” 

Longer pause. 

“They feel scattered. They feel pushed aside. But exile doesn’t mean forgotten. 

It means chosen… chosen for God’s purpose.” 

Silvanus 

(reading it back) 

“‘Elect exiles of the Dispersion…’” 

Pause. 

“That’s strong. Will they hear hope in that?” 

Peter 

“They need to. 

If they don’t know who they are in Christ… Pause. 

they won’t stand when the pressure rises.” Quiet pause. 

“And the pressure is rising.”

— 

Peter Reflects 

(Slow the pace here) 

Peter 

“I remember when I lost focus on Jesus. I thought I was strong on my own… until the night I failed.” Pause. 

“But Jesus brought me back. He told me to care for His people.” 

Pause. 

“This letter must steady them.” 

Silvanus 

“You’ve carried that calling well. 

Let’s help them feel that shepherd’s heart.” — 

—

On Suffering 

Silvanus 

“This part… ‘the fiery trial.’ 

How do we address this reality?

Peter 

Pause. 

“They already feel the heat. 

I won’t pretend things are easy.” 

Pause. 

“But I want them to see the fire in a new way… not as punishment… 

but as something that shapes them. Like gold refined in the fire.”

Silvanus 

“So… suffering with purpose.” 

Peter 

“Yes. 

And suffering with Christ. 

If they share His sufferings… 

they will share His glory.” 

— 

On Holiness 

Silvanus 

“And this line… ‘Be holy in all your conduct.’

Wow. That’s a high calling.”

Peter 

(smiles softly) 

“This again requires that they trust wholly in Christ.

He is our holiness and our righteousness.”

Pause. 

“They belong to God. 

They are His people. 

They exist to show His goodness.” 

Silvanus 

“So in Christ alone.” 

Peter 

Always, without knowing Him and having faith in Him we are all lost.

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On Leadership and Humility 

Silvanus 

“And here… ‘Shepherd the flock of God.’

That sounds like your own story.” 

Peter 

(quiet laugh) 

“It is. 

I write as a fellow elder… not someone above them.” 

Pause. 

“I know what it is to fall. 

I know what it is to be lifted up again.” 

Pause. 

“I want leaders to be gentle… willing… humble.” 

Silvanus 

“And the younger ones?” 

Peter 

“They need humility too. 

All of them. 

All of us.” 

Pause. 

“Pride tears people down. 

Humility holds them steady.” 

— 

Closing the Letter 

Silvanus 

“And your final words… 

‘Stand firm in the true grace of God.’ 

That’s the center of it.” 

Peter 

(nods slowly) 

“Yes. 

If they forget everything else… 

let them remember this.” 

Pause.

“God’s grace is strong enough to hold them.” 

Pause. 

“Not their strength. 

Not their situation. 

His grace.” 

Silvanus 

“And you want me to carry this to them?” 

Peter 

(places a hand on his shoulder) 

“I trust you, Silvanus. 

They trust you , 

Carry this letter… 

and carry my heart with it.” 

Silvanus 

(gathers the parchment) 

“Then let’s send hope… 

to the scattered ones.” 

Pause. 

Scene ends.

NOT KNOWING WHO YOU ARE

Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?

This is an age-old question that people have been seeking out the answer to. Humanity has been trying to answer a heart’s cry.

Why am I here?? All of us have asked this question in some way. A search for purpose or meaning, identity and direction. 

In Genesis, Adam and Eve had purpose, they didn’t need to earn it. It was given to them by God, created in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). They were blessed by God (Genesis 1:28) they did not need to strive. I think you get the idea.

And then a choice was made outside of God’s purpose and will. 

Our purpose is to serve God, with our wholeness.  

There seems to be a rhythm or pattern in 1 Peter:

  • You are born again so live holy (1:14-16) 
  • You belong to God (2:9-10), then proclaim His Excellencies  
  • You are God’s house/Temple, offer up spiritual sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). Be holy; set apart. 

You are sojourners and exiles–so live pure and good lives in front of this world. You are not just allowed to suffer–you are called to it. 1 Peter 2:20-21; 3:14-17; 4:12-16; Hebrews 5:8