The Church in the Later First Century

AD 63Paul martyredunder Nero (?)

Nero

AD 66-73Jewish revolt against Rome

AD 70Titus destroys Jerusalem temple

Arch of Titus—Soldiers with booty from Jerusalem temple

Hebrews

In the orbit of thePauline churches

Heb 13:23-24

Early manuscript of Hebrews 1

Setting of Hebrews

Phase 1: Proclamation & Conversion (2:3-4)

Setting of Hebrews

Phase 1: Proclamation & Conversion (2:3-4)

Phase 2: Persecution & Solidarity (10:32-34)

Setting of Hebrews

Phase 1: Proclamation & Conversion (2:3-4)

Phase 2: Persecution & Solidarity (10:32-34)

Phase 3: Friction & Malaise (10:25; 5:11; 6:12)

1. Journey into God’s Sabbath RestHebrews 2-4

2. Journey into

the Sanctuary

Hebrews 7-10

3. Journey to Zion

Hebrews 11-12

1 Peter: Exiles, Chosen, & Holy

1 PETER 1:1 THE EXILES

Conversation: Have you voluntarily traveled to a cultural context that was very different from your own? What was that experience like?

How would it be different to be forced to go into a different culture?

Giving Background Information:Exile was a central experience in Israel’s history

(Leader describes a bit about the Babylonian exile)

The readers of 1 Peter were exiles in a different region(Leader shows location on a map)

1 PETER 1:1 THE EXILES

Exploring 1 Peter:

They were “exiles” even if they never left home. Why?

Faith can “dislocate” people socially

(Read 1:3-6; 2:12; 3:16; 4:3-4)

Conversation:

Can Christian faith make people feel out of place socially now?

Where might this occur (school, work, extended family)?

Why might this occur?

How does this feeling of being “out of place” affect people?

1 PETER 1:1 THE CHOSEN

Conversation:

1 Peter 1:1 also says that readers are “chosen.”

When kids are playing a game, they sometimes choose teams.

How does it feel not to be chosen (until you are the only one left).

What would it mean for someone to say “I choose you”?

Exploring 1 Peter

Read 1 Peter 2:4-10. How many times is “chosen” used?

What does it mean to be “chosen” in this context?

1 PETER 1:1 THE HOLY

Conversation:

These same passages also talk about being “sanctified” or “holy.”

Most people would like to be called “successful” or “skilled” or (what would some other words be?)

Would most people like to be called “holy”? Why or why not?

Giving Background Information

To be “holy” or “sanctified” in the biblical sense is to be “set apart,”

to be “extraordinary.”

Exploring 1 Peter

(Now ask what 1 Peter says makes people truly “extraordinary.”

A leader would identify key passages to get at this.)