6 day plan

The Bible for all Australians

Day 1 of 6

NIV

1 Peter 3:15-16

15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Series Introduction

For the next seven days we will be reading the Bible with Bea Wickham from Scripture Union Australia, who partner with Bible Society Australia through our Scripture Grants program. As we read through Scripture together, Bea encourages us to consider again the Good News of the gospel, and how and why we should share Jesus with others. Bea reflects on the importance of sharing the Bible with all around us, from all backgrounds and cultures.

Reflection:

In 1 Peter 3:15, when you read the sentence “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you”, what first comes to mind? Have a think about it. Do you consider how to explain the first time you believed in Jesus? Or do you try to put into words the joy that comes from the Lord which the world cannot offer? Maybe you consider writing out your testimony so you can recite it on command. These are the things I thought of as a young Christian, but I never really considered the second part of the sentence: “to everyone who asks you”. The first question we should ask ourselves is, do people ask me about the hope I have in Jesus? If not, why not?

When talking to others, how many questions deep do they need to get before discovering you’re a believer of Jesus? How quickly will they realise when they ask you about how you spent your weekend, or week, or year? Does your character stand out amongst the crowd, or your standards go against the grain of the world’s standards? If it’s obvious, they will ask.

Recently, at a Scripture Union Family Festival, a couple of ladies wanted to reach out to the mother of a child in the kids’ program and talk with her about Jesus. They didn’t know how to begin the conversation. To their surprise, the mother approached the two women of her own accord and asked, “why do you talk about Jesus so much?” Their hope in Jesus was obvious, so they were asked about it. It’s one thing to be sure in our hearts, it’s another to be able to articulate it in words.

If we’re faithful and revere Christ as Lord in our hearts, people will ask why. What would your answer be?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, reveal to me the things I could do differently in my life to bring your gospel to others. Gift me with the courage to speak up about my relationship with you, help me not to fear rejection from anyone except you. Grant me wisdom and guide me today. Amen.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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6

1 Peter 3:1-22

1Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,

“Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep their tongue from evil

and their lips from deceitful speech.

11They must turn from evil and do good;

they must seek peace and pursue it.

12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.