Suffering for Christ’s Sake (Continued)
Consider the following questions when it comes to our suffering for Christ’s sake.
(1) How does Peter describe the suffering of his readers? (v. 12)
(2) Why does he say that we shouldn’t be surprised? (Col. 1:24; Phil. 3:10)
(3) Not to be surprised is one thing, but how can we rejoice in our suffering? (v. 13)
(4) How and when will Jesus’ glory be revealed?
(5) Why does Peter also say that we are blessed if we are insulted for Christ’s sake? (v. 14)
(6) Peter knows that there are times our sufferings are
self-inflicted (v. 15).
a. Have you ever suffered not for Christ’s sake? What was the reason?
b. Have you ever suffered for Christ’s sake? How different did you (or should you) feel?
c. Why? (v. 16)
(7) God will judge (vv. 17-18)
a. Judgment will begin with God’s household (v. 17a).
- The timing: Does Peter refer to the future final judgement or judgment that has already begun?
- What do you see historically as the judgment (which echoes the judgment that began within the sanctuary according to Ezek. 9) that has befallen on the apostate church?
b. Judgment of the non-believers (vv. 17b-18)
- Peter is quoting from Proverbs 11:31: How will the righteous be saved? (3:18; Tit. 3:5)
- What is the judgment that will come upon all who do not believe the gospel?
(8) There are those who “suffer according to God’s will” (v. 19).
a. What should they do?
b. Why does Peter urge us to “continue to do good” while in suffering?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
5:1-4—Instructions to the Elders
(1) Peter prefaces his instructions to the elders of the churches with three things (v. 1)
a. What are the three points?
b. What is the significance of each?
(2) His instructions to the elders are basically framed in pairs of contrast (vv. 2-3):
a. The flock and the shepherd: (v. 2a)
- Whose flock is the church?
- Since the flock is God’s and not theirs, what are their role and their duties?
b. Proper attitude: (v. 2b)
- What should their attitude be as caretakers?
- What should their attitude not be?
c. Motive of serving: (v. 2c)
- What shouldn’t they pursue?
- What should they pursue?
d. Approach: (v. 3)
- How should they treat those entrusted to them?
- What shouldn’t they do to them?
(3) What should one of the motivations to persevere serving as faithful elders be? (v. 4)
5:5-9—Instructions to the Rest
(4) Peter has a special instruction to the younger ones in church (v. 5a).
a. What is meant by “in the same way”?
b. Why do the younger ones need to be reminded to submit to the elders?
- Are the younger ones by nature not submissive to authority figures?
- Or because elders are not perfect?
(5) Instructions to all include:
a. To humble ourselves (vv. 5b-6)
- What analogy does Peter use to urge us to be humble? (v. 5b) How meaningful is it?
- What reason does he give? (Prov. 3:34)
- How does God show favor to the humble and when? (v. 6)
b. Cast all anxiety aside (v. 7)
- Is it easy to do?
- What reason does Peter give to encourage us?
c. Be alert and of sober-mind (v. 8)
- When Peter urged us to be alert and of sober mind in 1:13, what was the context of his instructions?
- What is the reason Peter gives us in 5:8?
d. Dealing with our enemy, the devil (vv. 8-9)
- What is meant by “to resist him”? (v. 9a)
- How effective will this strategy be according to James 4:7?
e. How might the awareness that believers around the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings help us in times of sufferings? (v. 9b)
5:10-14—Benediction and Greetings
(6) How meaningful is this benediction to those who are suffering? (v. 10)
(7) How meaningful is it to you?
(8) What part does Silas (the close companion of Paul) play in this letter? (v. 12)
(9) Babylon was already an uninhabited ruin (TNTC, 33), why does Peter use it to refer to where he is (Rome)?
(10) As we come to the end of the letter, take a bit of time to reflect on your notes or scan through the letter once again, and see what might the key messages be to you and how you may apply them to your life.