Vision

To build disciples who represents Jesus to everyone, everywhere with everything

Overview of 1st Peter

Go to Right Now Media and watch a Video Overview of 1 Peter. If you do not have access to it, visit our website and register.

Read 1 Peter 2:11 – 3:7

• What do these passages tell us about God?
• What do these passages tell us about you and your life?
• What did you like about this passage?
• What did you not like about this passage?

When we think of serving God we often limit our scope to serving within the various church ministries.  1Peter challenges us to look outside the four walls of the church to the community at large. Our Christian life is to be lived amongst those who do not yet know Jesus so that in some way we may have a positive influence on their lives and the community at large.  In this way people may see Christ reflected in us and be drawn to Him.  Peter addresses three specific relationships that Christians are engaged in – how to relate to secular authorities, how to relate between a servant and master (in our context the relationships at work) and how to relate within marriage.

Discuss one or more of the following questions.

1. 1 Peter 2:11-12 is an introduction to this passage.
   Briefly share a positive experience where your Christian presence in the community led someone closer to Christ (Verse 12).
   Briefly share a negative experience where your Christian presence caused angst within someone and you were reminded that you are a ‘foreigner and exile’ who is not of this world (Verse 11).
   How can we keep these two truths in tension?
2. 1 Peter 2:17 gives us a hierarchy of relationships: Honour all fellow human beings (as created in the image of God), honour our leaders, love your fellow believers in Christ but God alone is to be feared in reverent awe.
   Looking at our society today, in what areas can we be involved in within the community without any conflict with our Christian values?
   What areas are in conflict, where we need to make a choice to differ?
   How can this be done that remains true to the relationships outlined above?
3. Using Jesus Christ as our example, Peter reminds us that unjust suffering for being a Christian is part and parcel of our calling. Thus suffering for Christ should not be considered a unique experience. The Greek word used here is πάσχων (paschon). It never refers to suffering due to illness anywhere in the New Testament. Nor does it refer to suffering because of our own stupidity or wrong choices. It always refers to persecution due to being a follower of Christ.
   Have you factored this into your commitment to follow Jesus?
   Even if we haven’t experienced this kind of persecution first hand what are some ways that can help us instil this attitude into our lives as we follow the ‘suffering servant’ Jesus Christ?
4. Choose one of:
   1. Share a time where you have been ‘picked on’ in the workplace simply for being a Christian or for having different values.
      What was your initial response?
      How were you able to overcome feelings of revenge?
      When would it be appropriate to put in a complaint to higher authorities?
      When is it time to ‘shake the dust off your feet’ and resign?
   2. If you are a Christian boss or business owner, in what ways have you been an example for Christ in the way you treat your employees?
      Share a time when you have not been the best boss. How did you rectify the situation?
      What is a step you can take in order to be better in this area?
5. Peter’s call for wives to submit to their husbands in 1 Peter 3:1-6 is in the first century Greco-Roman context between a believing wife and unbelieving husband in order that they may win them over by their conduct.
   In what ways can we support people in our Life Group who have spouses who do not yet believe in Jesus?
   How can we as a Life Group be examples for Christ to the unbelieving spouse?
6. 1 Peter 3:7 addresses the husband. He is told to respect his wife and, in contrast to the household code of the day (which would normally endorse the husband’s rule of the wife), calls them ‘joint-heirs’.
   Husbands, how do you show respect to your wife?
   Wives, is this how you would like to be shown respect or is there another way which is more important to you?
   Share with your husband. How can you both teach your children these values of mutual respect?
7. If you are a single mum or dad, how can you instil these values of respect and mutual submission into your children so that they would expect it from their future partner and have the life skills to succeed in this area?
   Where can they get the examples or role models to emulate?
8. One of the ways that our church engages in the community is through the Love Loud campaign, which will be coming up on Saturday 1st or 8th December after our Church Camp.
   As a Life Group, pencil these dates in your diary and begin to pray for the organising team, our Clayton community and us to be prepared by the Spirit of God.

• Is there a truth that God wants you to obey?
• What will you do to obey this? I will…