Rock Solid Hope 4 - Hope in Submission and Suffering

Rock Solid Hope - A Study of 1 Peter Lesson 4 - Hope in Submission and Suffering

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and temporary residents in the world, to abstain from the desires of the sinful flesh, which war against your soul. 12 Live an honorable life among the Gentiles so that even though they slander you as evildoers, when they observe your noble deeds, they may glorify God on the day he visits us.

1. If you move somewhere, and you know you’ll only be there temporarily, what concerns become less important?

2. If you move somewhere, and you think the move will be more permanent, what concerns become more important?

3. Peter says that wherever you find yourself in life in this world; you reside; but you remember that your residence is temporary.

Given this outlook, what concerns become more important?

4. What concerns become less important?

5. Sinful desires wage war against your soul. What exactly is the enemy trying to accomplish in this soul-war?

6. What are his war strategies, tactics, and weapons? What are yours?

7. The early Christians were a new and different cultural group. As a result, they were at times slandered as evildoers. What’s the most natural response when being slandered?

8. How does this actually work: You are slandered, but the one who slanders you ends up glorifying God one day?

1 Peter 2:13-17 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the king as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those who have been sent by him to punish those who do what is wrong and to praise those who do what is right. 15 For this is God’s will: that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Do this as free people, and do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but use it as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

9. If a person submits to someone else; doesn’t that by definition mean they are less free than they were before?

10. Agree or Disagree: Freedom means you have no restrictions on doing what you want.

11. Verse 16 says that you are free people. What are you free from?

12. Why shouldn’t you use your freedom as a cover-up for evil?

13. Agree or Disagree: Serving God is the truest and deepest form of freedom.

14. So, practically speaking, how do you submit to government authorities in your day to day life?

1 Peter 2:18-20 Slaves, submit to your masters with total respect, not only to those who are good and kind but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this is favorable: if a person endures sorrows while suffering unjustly because he is conscious of God. 20 For what credit is it to you if you receive a beating for sinning and patiently endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is favorable with God.

15. Submitting to a boss, even if and when they are harsh. How in the world can we do this?

16. Suffering for doing bad v. suffering for doing good are totally different. What kind of credit is Peter talking about in verse 20?

1 Peter 2:21-25 Indeed, you were called to do this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you would follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit a sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23 When he was insulted, he did not insult in return. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself carried our sins in his body on the tree so that we would be dead to sins and alive to righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

17. Jesus endured so much suffering, and all of it undeserved on a level we can’t comprehend. Through it all he did not retaliate, though he could have. How did he do it?

18. Why did he do it?

19. Jesus is the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul, and also the example that you are to follow. Which is more important: having a rescuer, or having an example?