First Peter Chapter 4

THEMES

Overarching Theme: Living God’s way in a challenging world

Chapter Four Theme: Stewards of God’s grace


BACKGROUND

In a chapter that once again focuses extensively on suffering, Peter raises the question of living lives that can face the scrutiny of God’s judgment. He speaks of the need for us to be faithful stewards of God’s grace. 


Make sure you watch the video that looks at 1 Peter chapter 4.

Also have a Bible ready in front of you.


Verses 1-6

Peter rightly observes that suffering can move a sufferer's thinking away from living frivolously, resulting in a change that may surprise those who hold to their old ways. He says that all will have to give account and implies that those who have died, having previously come alive in the spirit by responding to the gospel, will live on. 

Questions

  • If we see those who have suffered giving up a frivolous lifestyle, how should that challenge us?

  • Is there anything in these verses that makes you think we should make preaching the gospel more of a priority?

Verses 7-11

Here the encouragement is to think ahead to the end of the age, and to live with this in mind. Peter lists: being alert to pray, loving generously, offering hospitality, speaking God' s words and serving each other as faithful stewards of God’s grace.

Questions

  • How does thinking ahead inspire you?

  • Do you find the idea of being a steward of God’s grace inspiring?

Verses 12-16 

Peter urges his readers not to be surprised when suffering comes, but to rejoice, knowing they are suffering as Christians and not for wrongdoing.

Questions

  • How should we care for those who are suffering now for being Christians?

  • What can we learn from their lives?

Verses 17-19

Peter sees God’s judgment in the church as something already happening, providing opportunity for ongoing correction. He uses Proverbs 11:31 to spur his readers on, not to endless introspection but to continue doing good.

Questions

  • How positively do you view God’s judgment?

  • How do you balance self-examination alongside the need to press on?


KEY TAKEAWAYS

Peter sees a positive side to both suffering and judgment. With this in mind, taking these lessons to heart can be a source of strength for us.

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PRAYER & REFLECTION

Spend some time praying as an individual or a group about the topics in this chapter. When you’re ready, you may want to pray this prayer.

Sovereign Lord,

Arm us with that fortitude Jesus showed on earth.

Give us grace to stand firm among those who cling to their past lives, 

forgetting they must give an account.  

Inspire us with our future hope that we might be alert to pray,

showing a generosity in love while being quick to serve 

 as faithful stewards of your gracious gift of life.

Thank you that you watch over your church,

bringing correction as we seek to build together.

In the midst of suffering help us to commit to you, 

to be praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters,

and looking to you to strengthen us never to falter in doing good.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen