Sunday
May 19
1. A TRUE CHRISTIAN DESCRIBED
a. How does Peter depict a true Christian? 1 Peter 3:8.
“The value of courtesy is too little appreciated. Many who are kind at heart lack kindliness of manner. Many who command respect by their sincerity and uprightness are sadly deficient in geniality. This lack mars their own happiness and detracts from their service to others.”—Education, p. 240.
b. Which uniquely Christlike attitude does Peter especially emphasize? 1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:44.
“All are to be treated with refinement and delicacy, as the sons and daughters of God.
“Christianity will make a man a gentleman. Christ was courteous, even to His persecutors; and His true followers will manifest the same spirit.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 489.
“This religion teaches us to exercise patience and long-suffering when brought into places where we receive treatment that is harsh and unjust. . . .
“There is constant need of patience, gentleness, self-denial, and self-sacrifice in the exercise of Bible religion.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 248.
Monday
May 20
2. WATCHING OUR WORDS
a. What important principle did Peter re-emphasize as the condition of a happy life here, as well as in the life to come? Psalm 34:12, 13; 1 Peter 3:10.
“Satan is working in every church to spoil the flock of God. . . . I am instructed to say to every soul who professes to be a follower of Christ, ‘Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips, that they speak no guile.’ Through self-exaltation Satan works to ruin the soul, and his working may be seen in every church. My brethren and sisters, keep strict guardianship over your spirit. Guard your words, lest Satan lead you to repeat his own history.”—The Upward Look, p. 114.
b. Give examples of people who violated this principle, and how it caused embarrassment and disgrace, especially for the one who spoke them. 1 Samuel 14:24–27, 43–45; Esther 6:6–10.
“Let not one word of fretfulness, harshness, or passion escape your lips. The grace of Christ awaits your demand. His Spirit will take control of your heart and conscience, presiding over your words and deeds. Never forfeit your self-respect by hasty, thoughtless words. See that your words are pure, your conversation holy.”—Child Guidance, p. 219.
c. How will violation of this principle hinder many from being entrusted with eternal life? 1 Peter 3:10 (last part) compared to Revelation 14:5; 21:27.
“When these tea and coffee users meet together for social entertainment, . . . their tongues are loosened, and they begin the wicked work of talking against others. Their words are not few or well chosen. The tidbits of gossip are passed around, too often the poison of scandal as well. These thoughtless gossipers forget that they have a witness. An unseen Watcher is writing their words in the books of heaven. All these unkind criticisms, these exaggerated reports, these envious feelings, expressed under the excitement of the cup of tea, Jesus registers as against Himself.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 423.
Tuesday
May 21
3. SEEKING PEACE
a. Of what other important principles of Christian life does Peter remind us? 1 Peter 3:11; Isaiah 1:16, 17.
b. How can we “eschew evil and do good”? Jeremiah 13:23 compared to 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; John 3:5; James 4:7.
“[Those to whom the apostle Paul is writing] must reveal in their lives the glorious change wrought in them by Christ’s transforming grace. . . . They could not change their own hearts. And when by their efforts souls were led from the ranks of Satan to take their stand for Christ, they were not to claim any credit for the transformation wrought. . . .
“The power of God is the one element of efficiency in the grand work of obtaining the victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. . . . Man can accomplish nothing without God, and God has arranged His plans so as to accomplish nothing in the restoration of the human race without the cooperation of the human with the divine. The part man is required to sustain is immeasurably small, yet in the plan of God it is just that part that is needed to make the work a success.
“The great change that is seen in the life of a sinner after conversion is not brought about by any human goodness.”—God’s Amazing Grace, p. 319.
c. What hope and promise is given to those who have yielded themselves to the transforming power of the Gospel, yet are still being defeated by various temptations? 1 Peter 3:12; John 14:13, 14.
“By faith and prayer all may meet the requirements of the gospel. No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act before passion can dominate over reason or iniquity triumph over conscience. Temptation, however strong, is never an excuse for sin. ‘The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.’ Cry unto the Lord, tempted soul. Cast yourself, helpless, unworthy, upon Jesus, and claim His very promise. The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time of temptation.
“Have you fallen into sin? Then without delay seek God for mercy and pardon.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 177.
Wednesday
May 22
4. FEARLESSLY DOING GOOD
a. What practical advice given by Peter, if followed, can help us solve many problems in relationships? 1 Peter 3:13; Proverbs 15:1.
“Words spoken in reply to one who is angry usually act as a whip, lashing the temper into greater fury. But anger met by silence quickly dies away. Let the Christian bridle his tongue, firmly resolving not to speak harsh, impatient words.”—Messages to Young People, p. 136.
b. What should be our course with people who cannot seem to be softened regardless of our gentle caution with them? 1 Peter 3:14, 16, 17.
“Jesus Himself never purchased peace by compromise. . . . The servants of Christ are called to the same work, and they should beware lest, in seeking to prevent discord, they surrender the truth. . . . Real peace can never be secured by compromising principle. And no man can be true to principle without exciting opposition. A Christianity that is spiritual will be opposed by the children of disobedience. But Jesus bade His disciples, ‘Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.’ Those who are true to God need not fear the power of men nor the enmity of Satan. In Christ their eternal life is secure. Their only fear should be lest they surrender the truth, and thus betray the trust with which God has honored them.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 356.
c. What is to be the source of all our good works and kind words?1 Peter 3:16 (first part); Acts 24:16; Hebrews 9:14.
“In the Word of God we read that there are good and bad consciences, and the fact that your conscience does not condemn you in not keeping the law of God, does not prove that you are uncondemned in His sight. Take your conscience to the Word of God and see if your life and character are in accordance with the standard of righteousness which God has there revealed.”—The Review and Herald, September 3, 1901.
Thursday
May 23
5. KNOWING WHEREIN WE STAND
a. What are the main reasons why we are to study God’s word daily? Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:11; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:15.
b. In what great danger are many today who claim to believe in the present truth? Hosea 4:6.
“Are the youth in a position where they can with meekness and fear give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of their hope? I saw that the youth greatly fail of understanding our position. Terrible scenes are just before them, a time of trouble which will test the value of character.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol.1, pp. 507, 508.
“The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God. . . .
“We are not safe if we neglect to search the Scriptures daily for light and knowledge. . . . There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.”—Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 359.
“Many look to their ministers to bring the light from God to them. . . . Such lose much. If they would daily follow Christ . . . they might obtain a clear knowledge of His will, and thus be gaining a valuable experience. For want of this very experience, brethren professing the truth walk in the sparks of others’ kindling; they are unacquainted with the Spirit of God and have not a knowledge of His will, and are therefore easily moved from their faith. They are unstable, because they trusted in others to obtain an experience for them.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 644.
Friday
May 24
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is my attitude toward my spouse, children, brethren, and coworkers?
2. Name some key steps to strengthen us on how to control our tongue.
3. What should I do if defeated by a temptation?
4. Explain the difference between good works and kind words coming from a pure conscience vs. selfish motives in an attempt to build a good reputation.
5. How can I obtain a deeper understanding of the beliefs I profess?