Peter Study 4
Read aloud 1 Peter 1 Peter 3:8-18
1. What jumps out at you as the greatest challenge from these verses? Why?
2. Evil begets evil. Describe where you see this truism at work in our world today. Peter suggests an alternate response that should provide a ‘circuit breaker.’ He suggests doing good (blessing). Similarly, Paul: Romans 12:9-21. Why doesn’t repaying evil work? How can seeking to do good heal? What does this mean for us in our daily lives ... and why is it seemingly so hard to do?
3. Read 1 P 3:18. How can remembering the example of Jesus help us in the above matter? Share how recalling this image when you are wronged can be beneficial.
4. It is difficult to apply this command to all the various complex circumstances in our world. Should Christian’s be in the military? Is there such thing as a ‘just’ war? When should I use force to prevent evil? Whilst these are important questions, the vast majority of this command should be applied to our everyday interactions with those around us. So, what might the Spirit be calling you to adjust or repair in light of these words?
5. Verse 19 describes Jesus descending into the depths to make a proclamation to the spirits. This is a tricky passage. It suggests that Jesus has authority over all the heights and ‘depths’ and that his victory is declared and available to all creation. We might not fully grasp how it all works out, but Peter is confident that Jesus is truly king over all.
Pray for each other before you leave.
1. What jumps out at you as the greatest challenge from these verses? Why?
2. Evil begets evil. Describe where you see this truism at work in our world today. Peter suggests an alternate response that should provide a ‘circuit breaker.’ He suggests doing good (blessing). Similarly, Paul: Romans 12:9-21. Why doesn’t repaying evil work? How can seeking to do good heal? What does this mean for us in our daily lives ... and why is it seemingly so hard to do?
3. Read 1 P 3:18. How can remembering the example of Jesus help us in the above matter? Share how recalling this image when you are wronged can be beneficial.
4. It is difficult to apply this command to all the various complex circumstances in our world. Should Christian’s be in the military? Is there such thing as a ‘just’ war? When should I use force to prevent evil? Whilst these are important questions, the vast majority of this command should be applied to our everyday interactions with those around us. So, what might the Spirit be calling you to adjust or repair in light of these words?
5. Verse 19 describes Jesus descending into the depths to make a proclamation to the spirits. This is a tricky passage. It suggests that Jesus has authority over all the heights and ‘depths’ and that his victory is declared and available to all creation. We might not fully grasp how it all works out, but Peter is confident that Jesus is truly king over all.
Pray for each other before you leave.
Peter Study 3
Read aloud 1 Peter 2:11-21
1. Peter names the followers of Jesus "foriegners and aliens". Have you ever felt like an outsider for following Jesus, what values do you hold that make you different?
2. Verse 13 asks us to submit to every human authority. When is it hardest to submit to human authority?
3. Has there been times when your attitude toward "human authority" did not point people toward Jesus ?
4. When is it acceptable to ignore, challenge or go against those in authority around us?
5. What does it mean for you that people might see through your example to God? What parts of your life does this idea make you want to change or adapt.
6. Jesus is the ultimate example of foreigner for us, leaving the riches of heaven to live among us. How has his example revealed God to you?
Pray for each other before you leave.
1. Peter names the followers of Jesus "foriegners and aliens". Have you ever felt like an outsider for following Jesus, what values do you hold that make you different?
2. Verse 13 asks us to submit to every human authority. When is it hardest to submit to human authority?
3. Has there been times when your attitude toward "human authority" did not point people toward Jesus ?
4. When is it acceptable to ignore, challenge or go against those in authority around us?
5. What does it mean for you that people might see through your example to God? What parts of your life does this idea make you want to change or adapt.
6. Jesus is the ultimate example of foreigner for us, leaving the riches of heaven to live among us. How has his example revealed God to you?
Pray for each other before you leave.
Peter Study 2 - Please ask if you require this study.
Peter Study 1
1. Read aloud 1 Peter 1:13-25
2. Name as many images that Peter draws upon to describe the new life with God. Which images seem most significant to you and why?
3. Verse 13 Do you routinely find yourself ‘setting your hope’ on the ‘glory’ (shorthand for the new transformed body and location that you inherit in the age to come) that is coming to you? If so, how? If not, why not? Why does he want them to get into the habit of doing this?
4. Troy described holiness more as a kind of life. It has to do with confirming ourselves toward God’s intended purposes for our bodies and behaviour now that we believe. First, how does this happen in a person’s life? i.e. adopting God’s nature? Second, can you share which parts of your life God has been ‘making holy’ as you have come to know him and obey him?
5. verse 22 Peter wants Christian’s to love one another deeply from the heart. Someone once said that they were glad they had to love rather than ‘like’ others, as if liking was harder. But let’s get honest, what does it mean to love deeply and how can we really do that?
Pray for each other before you leave.
2. Name as many images that Peter draws upon to describe the new life with God. Which images seem most significant to you and why?
3. Verse 13 Do you routinely find yourself ‘setting your hope’ on the ‘glory’ (shorthand for the new transformed body and location that you inherit in the age to come) that is coming to you? If so, how? If not, why not? Why does he want them to get into the habit of doing this?
4. Troy described holiness more as a kind of life. It has to do with confirming ourselves toward God’s intended purposes for our bodies and behaviour now that we believe. First, how does this happen in a person’s life? i.e. adopting God’s nature? Second, can you share which parts of your life God has been ‘making holy’ as you have come to know him and obey him?
5. verse 22 Peter wants Christian’s to love one another deeply from the heart. Someone once said that they were glad they had to love rather than ‘like’ others, as if liking was harder. But let’s get honest, what does it mean to love deeply and how can we really do that?
Pray for each other before you leave.