1 Peter – Study Questions #3
1 Peter CGS – Week 3
Ethics Part 2 – Honoring others to honor Jesus.
1 Peter 3:1-4:19
INTRODUCTION: We are in our third week as we journey through the letter of 1 Peter. This letter was written to a group of Christians who were living in modern-day Turkey and facing considerable social pressure. Why were they facing social pressure? They refused to worship the gods of their culture; they had an exclusive message of salvation; they had odd customs and practices; and they believed in a God who became a man and who, rather than triumph and establish his kingdom as expected, had been killed, only to rise again (they claimed) from the dead. The Christians to whom Peter wrote were exiles in the world they once called their own.[1] And Peter affirms this exilic reality and identity for them. In other words, they are to live as exiles because, in Christ, they have a new identity that is to follow the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this larger section, Peter will pick up where he left off and apply the instructions from the opening to a new set of ethical situations. His instructions and themes won’t differ; they are to honor everyone, consider the importance of the testimony of their lives (lived experience), and keep a Christ-centered perspective on suffering. The particulars of this second section deal with marriage and suffering. Peter will dive into what marriage is supposed to look like for Christians. And, it should come as no surprise that it means to mutually honor each other in the distinct and important roles God has given to men and women. Power looks to serve in the kingdom of God, not to dominate. Then, Peter moves on to suffering and how suffering is part of the normal Christian experience. Again, we will hear that even in our suffering, Christians have different priorities, and we are able to increase in righteousness while we suffer. Our suffering isn’t meaningless because Jesus himself suffered. Staying focused on Jesus, Peter reminds us again that when we honor others, we honor Jesus.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time this week, talk about honoring others. What are the things that make it hard to honor others or easy? Do you agree with the idea that when you honor another person, you are honoring Jesus?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Some questions to help make observations of this large passage:
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: This is a large section. Here are some questions that might help spur on discussion. [2]
- What did you find hardest about this chapter, and why? Do you need to do more thinking about it, or speak to someone else about it?
- What is your relationship with authority and submission? Have you had good examples of both, or have your examples been unhealthy?
- What do you think it will take for you to embrace Peter’s, and Jesus’, view of suffering?
- How would your life, conduct and words be different if you really did not fear anything because you knew that the worst that can happen cannot happen—that you cannot lose God’s love for you?
- What stops you effectively sharing the hope that you have when you are asked to give your reasons for it—and what can you do to better prepare yourself? Or are you never asked? In which case, what does that suggest to you about how you are living, and what will you do about that?
[1] Juan R. Sanchez, 1 Peter for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2016), 15.
[2] Juan R. Sanchez, 1 Peter for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2016).