1 Peter 1:3-9
Devotion by Tina Miller
Sermon by Rich Lanning
11/30/2025
Gather
4 index cards for the introductory activity.
Background
This week begins our Advent series. Advent means “arrival.”
Ask: Whose arrival are we thinking about?
We are thinking about the first arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ when he came as a baby to live among us and save us, but we also are looking forward to his next arrival when he comes as King to reign in his everlasting kingdom where there will be no more sin and no more pain or death.
Introduction
Write the letters from the word HOPE on individual index cards. Hide the four cards around the room. The children must find the cards. Whenever they find one, have them tell something they are hoping for. After the four have been collected, sort them out to spell the word HOPE.
The first theme for the weeks of Advent is hope.
You’ve told us what you are hoping for. Do you know of anyone else who is hoping for something? Do you know someone who is suffering some kind of trouble? Let’s see what the Bible tells us about hope.
Pray
“Gracious Father, as we open your word, shine the light of your truth into our darkness. Give us eyes to see the glory of Christ and to grasp the hope of our salvation through Jesus Christ, our living hope. Amen” (from Pastor Rich)
Looking into the scripture passage
Read: 1 Peter 1:3
Ask: What kind of hope did God give us? How did we receive it? Have we done anything to deserve this hope?
Our hope comes through God’s ABUNDANT mercy.
Ask: Could we be very hopeful if we had to earn/deserve it? Why not?
Since we continually fall short of God’s glory, we would be without hope if it weren’t for Jesus.
Ask: Why do you think Peter called it a “living hope?” [You may need to read the verse again.]
This hope came through the resurrection of Jesus. Since he is alive, so is our hope.
Read: 1 Peter 1:4-5
Our hope is an inheritance
Ask: What is an inheritance? Our hope is what kind of inheritance? Where is it? Is it safe there? Can anything happen to it? Is it better than the present you are hoping to get for Christmas?
Read: 1 Peter 1:6-9 and 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Ask: How does this hope make us feel? [We rejoice] But what if we’re going through troubles? Can we still rejoice in hope then? Why?
The troubles we endure here will end, but the glory we will experience with Jesus will last forever! We can’t even imagine, but we get to hope.
It is important for children to realize that you/they are not wishing for these things to be true. Hoping = wishing. Our hope is in the almighty, eternal God who always keeps his promises. It is the assurance of things not seen (Heb. 11:1)
Apply the passage
Activity 1 Read these verses and talk about the hope they offer.
John 14:2-3
1 Corinthians 15:20-24
Revelation 21:1-6 and 22:1-5
Activity 2 Make a “hope” Christmas card for those people you talked about who are undergoing trouble and need encouragement to hope. Put HOPE on the outside and write one of the verses above in it along with a message of love and care.
Memorize
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3
Practice the verse
Divide the verse into four sections, and write one on the back of each of the index cards from the opening activity. Take turns hiding and finding them to put together to complete the verse (you might want to do this once a day until everyone has had a turn and/or the verse is memorized). This connects to the idea that we hope in what we cannot see.
Extra Stuff
Dig Deeper (for older kids and parents)
Read and discuss Romans 8:18-25
Songs to sing
“Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” (Keith and Kristyn Getty)
“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” (traditional carol)
