THEMES
Overarching Theme: Living God’s way in a challenging world
Chapter Three Theme: Heirs together of the gift of life
BACKGROUND
In this chapter Peter digs deeply into the question of suffering for doing good, but starts by addressing wives and husbands. There are challenging statements throughout the chapter, creating plenty of discussion points.
Make sure you watch the video that looks at 1 Peter chapter 3.
Also have a Bible ready in front of you.
Verses 1-6
Peter empathises with wives married to unbelieving husbands, urging them to submit to their husbands, bearing in mind the way we relate to the One who is the Shepherd and Overseer or our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Peter believes that this could lead to their husbands being won over, not by showy dressing but through the kind of quiet spirit that God values. He uses Sarah as an example, and makes a telling comment about not giving way to fear.
Questions
How secure would someone have to be in their relationship with God to adopt this submissive approach?
What are the characteristics of inner beauty compared with outward beauty?
How might ‘not giving way to fear’ be linked with having ‘a quiet spirit’?
Verse 7
Peter’s counsel to husbands is no less challenging, advocating consideration and respect, acknowledging physical weakness without being demeaning. Being heirs together of the gracious gift of life sets a context for unhindered prayer partnership.
Questions
Would it be appropriate to encourage husbands to adopt a quiet spirit? If not, why not?
What does it mean to be heirs together of the gracious gift of life?
Verses 8-18
Peter follows his specific exhortations with a list of qualities we all should exhibit. He speaks of meeting insults with blessing and backs this up with a quotation from Psalm 34:12-16. He notes that challenges come even to those eager to do good and urges a ready response given with fearlessness, gentleness and respect . Once again Jesus is held out as our example.
Questions
How should we develop the qualities listed in verses 8-9?
What should we have in mind to say to those who ask about our hope?
How can Christ’s suffering inspire us despite its uniqueness?
Verses 19-22
Here Peter presents baptism as a pledge to God empowered by the resurrection. He also speaks of Christ’s ascension where angels, authorities and powers submit to him. He contrasts this with insubmissive spirits that Peter sees Jesus addressing between his death and resurrection. The victory of the cross would certainly have been an affront to them, even while it was clearly delighting heaven.
Questions
What can we learn from a comparison of submissive and disobedient spirits?
How does verse 22 help us appreciate heaven’s joy at the ascension?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Once again there is much in this chapter about having a testimony in suffering. There is also specific teaching here that is relevant to marriage. We need to see this as a chapter in which Peter reveals the breadth of his pastoral concern and sheds more light on water baptism, which he so strongly advocated when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:38).
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PRAYER & REFLECTION
End your time as a group, or individually, in a time of prayer. If it is helpful, below is a written prayer you can use as a reflection on Peter’s thoughts shared in this chapter.
Sovereign Lord,
You know the desire of our hearts is to please you in all that we do.
We ask you to guide us in all our relationships,
so that we may show gentleness and respect.
We long to be like-minded with one another,
living as heirs together of the gracious gift of life.
Make us sympathetic, compassionate, loving and humble,
able to meet insults and rejection with acceptance and blessing.
Help us to look with fresh eyes at Christ’s victory on the cross,
and to rejoice with heaven in his resurrection and ascension
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen