1 Peter 3 “1 Peter” Class Discussion for June 23, 2020 Opening Prayer
Wives and Husbands + Read 1 Peter 3:1-7 These verses can be challenging for many of us because of the culture we live in. However, Peter gives these words of encouragement for the benefit of both wives and husbands as they live according to God’s order of creation.
What responsibilities does God give to wives? Why is the inner beauty of a Christian wife more important than her outward beauty? Read Proverbs 31:10-12, 17, 20, 26-28, 30. These verses demonstrate just how precious a faithful wife is and how God can use her to be a light to her husband.
What responsibilities does God give to husbands (see verse 7)? Read Ephesians 5:22-33 for a more detailed description of a husband’s responsibilities toward his wife. What does Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross teach us about the way husbands are to love their wives?
Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake + Read 1 Peter 3:8-17 How are we to respond to those who oppose us and cause us trouble for our faith? What is our natural reaction to these people? Who enables us to respond appropriately when this happens?
Read 1 Peter 3:15. What are we as Christians called to do according to this verse and how are we supposed to do it? Why is it important for us to be prepared to share our faith with others?
Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake (continued) + Read 1 Peter 3:18-22 In this section, Peter points us to Jesus’ passion to give us confidence that God will vindicate us after our sufferings, just as He raised Jesus from the dead. 1 Peter 3:19 is an important verse for our faith, for we confess in the Apostles’ Creed that Jesus “descended into hell.” For what purpose did Jesus descend into hell?
Peter draws a connection between the great flood during the days of Noah and Christian baptism. In what ways are they alike? Read Titus 3:4-7 and 1 Peter 3:21. What does God do for us in baptism according to these verses?
Closing Prayer Sources + The Lutheran Study Bible (ESV), Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 2009.