Be Hopeful (1 Peter): How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times

This newly released book (June 1, 2009), Be Hopeful (1 Peter): How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times (The BE Series Commentary) is a 100% Bible study book. It's not filled with fluff. It's a sound book of definite hope, backed with Scripture references multiple times on a page. It's easy to read, yet, I found myself going back to re-read a page, to grasp it even better. "This confident hope gives us the encouragement and enablement we need for daily living. It does not put us in a rocking chair where we complacently await the return of Jesus Christ. Instead, it puts us in the marketplace, on the battlefield, where we keep on going when the burdens are heavy and battles are hard. Hope is not a sedative; it is a shot of adrenaline, a blood transfusion. Like an anchor, our hope in Christ stabilizes us in the storms of life (Heb. 6:18-19), but unlike an anchor, our hope moves us forward, it does not hold us back." I absolutely loved the way the author, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, internationally known Bible teacher and former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, digs through the book of I Peter, verse by verse, as though he is walking along side of Peter. Be Hopeful is filled with historical and spiritual insights along with study questions at the end of each chapter. Dr. Wiersbe shows insights of Peter's message that was one of hope, and how to have joy, despite the coming persecution for Believers, and is still very relevant for Believers today. Be Hopeful is one of eight in this "BE" series and have been recently revised with updated content for today and new study questions for each chapter.

Another great bible study in the "Be" series. Mr. Wiersbe is a great commentarian and has written some excellent devotionals. This one on First Peter is welcome. That book of the bible is so full of rules and references about submission and suffering that it can be quite daunting to find the hope. This bible study definitely helps to clarify many points in the book. I liked how it went verse by verse and then had the overview of the chapter at the end of each study section rather than taking one theme and picking and choosing the verse. This is definitely a study/commentary about 1 Peter alone. It is a good study for individual or small groups.

Be Hopeful by Warren W. Wiersbe is part of his renowned and wonderful Be series digging deeply into each book of the Bible. Be Hopeful focuses on the book of 1 Peter. The book offers historical and spiritual insight while going through the book verse by verse and really breaking it down for readers. Each chapter ends with study questions for further reflection. Peter's message in this book was one of hope, despite the coming persecution he foresaw for followers of Christ, and every word of it is still relevant for believers today. It's an excellent study, and I hope to read more of the series.

"Be Hopeful" by Warren Wiersbe is one of the most unique books I've read. It is labeled a commentary of 1 Peter, but it is unlike any commentary I've ever seen - maybe I need to read more of these. Rather, it reads like a Bible study. It's loaded with thought-provoking study questions for personal reflection of group discussion, so it would be a great way to study 1 Peter alone or with a group. And the best part is that this book is part of a series of "Be" commentaries. I will definitely be on the lookout for these books.

As I read the new testament books of the bible and study carefully what it says and how to apply it to my life I usually turn to Warren Wiersbe for a great commentary and devotional. 1 Peter can be a bit overwhelming with all the references to submission and to suffering and rejoicing. Weirsbe's comments added clarity and devotional insight to a topic that is hard to grasp without time and repetition on the truth therein. If you are going to be using 1 Peter in group study I would highly recommend this BE HOPEFUL as a valuable resource for all. God Bless You as you study and apply! 4 stars not 5 because i would have liked MORE of it!!!