Society was very stratified in the ancient world in which Peter lived. The ruling elite had what today might be called a “commanding presence.” Around them were clustered people of lower rank, and the lowest rank of all belonged to a slave. Humility was the proper attitude of those of lower rank toward those of … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Peter 5:3 and Matthew 20:24-28. What crucial principles of Christian leadership are found in these texts? In Greek, the key word in 1 Peter 5:3 is katakurieuontes. The same word also is found in Matthew 20:25 and means to “exercise dominion” or to “lord it” over someone. Thus, the instruction to elders given … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Peter 5:1-4. What attitudes should leaders bring to their roles in the church? How can these principles apply to any of us, regardless of our role? Peter begins his instructions to elders by observing that he himself is a fellow elder. He then notes two things about himself: he is a witness of … Continue reading –>
Look up the following texts: Acts 6:1-6, Acts 14:23, Acts 15:6, 1 Tim. 5:17, 1 Pet. 5:2. What insights do these verses give us regarding the challenges facing the early church and the role of its leaders? A large group of people becoming believers and joining the church is a great blessing from God. Yet, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Pet. 5:1-10, Acts 6:1-6, Jer. 10:21, Matt. 20:24-28, Prov. 3:34, Rev. 12:7-9. Memory Text: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV). Studies of growing churches almost always highlight the importance of effective leadership. This leadership takes its vision from God and … Continue reading –>
Sunday’s study talked about the persecution Christians faced. Here is a fuller excerpt from the letter written to the emperor about what Christians suffered in those early centuries: “… the method I have observed towards those who have been denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they … Continue reading –>
As we have seen, Peter was writing to believers who were suffering for their faith. And as Christian history has shown, things only got worse, at least for a while. Surely many Christians in the ensuing years found solace and comfort in what Peter wrote. No doubt, many do today, too. Why the suffering? That, … Continue reading –>
Compare 1 Peter 4:17-19 with Isaiah 10:11-12 and Malachi 3:1-6. What are they saying in common? In all these passages, the process of judgment is portrayed as starting with the people of God. Peter even links the sufferings of his readers to the judgment of God. For him, the sufferings that his Christian readers are … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Peter 4:12-14. Why does Peter say that they shouldn’t be surprised at their suffering? See also 2 Tim. 3:12, John 15:18. Peter makes it clear that to suffer persecution for being a Christian is to partake of Christ’s suffering. It is not something to be unexpected. On the contrary, as Paul would write: … Continue reading –>
Read through 1 Peter 3:13-22. How should Christians respond to those who would bring them suffering because of their faith? What is the connection between the sufferings of Jesus and the sufferings experienced by the believers because of their faith? When Peter says, “if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed” (1 Pet. … Continue reading –>
