1 Peter – Study Questions #5
1 Peter CGS – Week 5
Final Notes – Things not to forget.
1 Peter 5:6-14
INTRODUCTION: The last words of any letter or any conversation are often the most important. They are often words that are going to be emphasized and even ones that have been spoken before. Verse after verse before the closing, Peter will, from multiple angles, tell these believers to stand firm, hold on, and keep going. So, what will he say in the closing? Stand firm. He doesn’t want them to forget or gloss over the critical idea. Living as members of a different kingdom is going to require them to be resolute. And that work, as he has noted and as they know all too well, is hard. But, here is the last piece of good news, they are not alone. There are those that send their greetings to this bedraggled group. They are all in this together. And they are in this with Christ, the one who brings peace. These are important things not to forget.
One of the key ideas that Peter draws on in his conclusion is the importance of the posture of humility. Again, this is something that we have heard over and over again in the letter as a whole. Humility is the key ingredient in a life that is willing to honor others so that Jesus would be exalted. From humility before others, Peter passes to humility before God: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God. ‘Therefore’ connects this statement with the quotation in verse 5: if God opposes the proud it is true wisdom to humble oneself before him. Among other things this will involve bowing to God’s wisdom, accepting the twists and turns of his providence, and entrusting all our concerns to him. Though this may well mean personal disadvantage in this life, it is always in the believer’s interest to humble himself or herself before God so that in due time he may exalt you.[1] To “be humbled” implies a decision to remain faithful to Christ even knowing that humiliation will result. The command to be humbled under God’s mighty hand is a command to accept, though not to seek, difficult circumstances as a part of God’s deliverance, neither railing against God (“Why did this happen to me?” “What did I do to deserve this?”) nor raging against those causing the difficulty, but rather blessing those who insult and injure (3:9).[2] In other words, don’t let your sufferings distract you from God’s plans.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time this week, talk about this definition of humility – Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often. Do you agree or disagree with that definition, and why? Or, who has been an example of humility in your life? What impact did their example have on you?
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.
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: Here are some questions that might help spur on discussion. [3]
- Are you willing to lose out every day because you are a Christian? Are you willing for your family to lose out too? When will that be hardest, and how will you use 1 Peter to keep you joyful?
- How has this letter enabled you to suffer joyfully, rather than seeing suffering and joy as incompatible?
- What changes to your thinking, your speaking and your conduct has the Spirit been prompting you to make as you have read through and meditated upon Peter’s words?
- If you had to summarize Peter’s letter in your own words, what key points or ideas would you include? What stood out to you most poignantly in this letter?
[1] Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 201.
[2] Karen H. Jobes, 1 Peter, ed. Robert W. Yarbrough and Joshua W. Jipp, Second Edition., Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2022), 310.
[3] Juan R. Sanchez, 1 Peter for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2016).