Leading and Following with Humility: 1 Peter 5:1-7 Sunday, June 5, 2016

CONVERSATION GUIDE:

When have you appreciated someone who acted as “not…but” Peter provides three sets of contrasts. a spiritual leader in your life? Like Hebrews 13:17, Peter wants elders to do their work with joy and not with groaning, with zeal, energy, and enthusiasm, and with humility – to be Our passage this week is sandwiched between two an example to their flock. Being an example fits paragraphs (4:12-19 and 5:6-11) which deal with well with the shepherd image as they did not drive suffering. This text is certainly not an accidental their sheep, but walked in front of them and called addition, as Peter moves into a logically necessary them to follow.6 explanation of the intra-church solidarity that is required in the face of persecution.1 The Chief Shepherd. The pay is not monetary, but an eschatological reward – a crown of glory.7 The READ 1 Peter 5:1-7. (For a biblical definition of crown gives will never wither or be forgotten. elder, read Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 5:17) Non-elders. Peter turns now to those who are not elders and exhorts them: be subject to the elders.

DISCUSS And all of you. The particular term used for “clothe” 1. How does Peter appeal to elders in verse 1? Of only appears here in the NT. Its root refers to the all the qualifications he could have appealed to, apron that a slave or herdsman tied on over his why do you think he chose these in particular? tunic to keep it from being soiled.8 This garment

prepared them for service.9 What is to be tied on? 2. What job is the position of elder compared to Humility. This is reinforced by Peter’s use of in verse 2? What makes this a fitting analogy Proverbs 3:34 (and James’ too – 4:6). for an elder? Think of at least 3 parallels.

Casting. This is not offering a new command but is 3. What 3 wrong reasons for accepting a position defining how believers are to humble themselves: in church leadership does Peter give? (v. 2-3) by casting all anxiety on God. This verb also occurs

in Luke 19:35, when the disciples toss their cloaks 4. How do verses 4 and 5 give a framework for all over a donkey for Jesus. To carry anxiety is likely to of us (whether in authority or subject to choke the fruitfulness of God’s work in your life.10 authority) to relate to one another? God’s care does not lack the power or the will to

do the very best for his own.11 5. How does the message of verses 6-7

summarize Peter’s thoughts on submission?

APPLY

1. Do you lead and follow with humility? What Fellow elder. This term is unique in the NT, but it is anxieties do you feel when submitting to similar to other compound terms that Paul uses: authority? fellow-worker2, fellow-soldier3, fellow-slave4, fellow-prisoner5. Rather than stressing authority, 2. How does this instruction about elder Peter stresses his empathy with elders in their task. relationships help you understand God as the

Chief Shepherd? Shepherd the flock. God’s exhortation to elders. The image of shepherding God’s people is an OT 3. Through Peter’s words about leadership and image, but the command to elders to shepherd is humility, what is God asking of you personally? found only here and in Acts 20:28-29. Both passages connect shepherding with watchful, energetic oversight.

6 Peter Davids, The , Page 181. 1 Peter Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, Page 174. 7 Eph 6:8, Col 3:25, Heb 10:36, 11:13, 39 2 Rom 16:3, 9, 21, Phil 2:25; 4:3, Col 4:11, 1 Thes 3:2, Philemon 1, 24 8 G. Delling, TDNT, II, 339; BAGD, Page 215. 3 Phil 2:25, Philemon 2 9 :4-15 4 Col 1:7, 4:7, Rev 6:11, 19:10, 22:9 10 Mark 4:19, Luke 21:34 5 Rom 16:7, Col 4:10, Philemon 23 11 Peter Davids, The First Epistle of Peter, Page 188. 1 Leading and Following with Humility: 1 Peter 5:1-7 Sunday, June 5, 2016

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:

MEMORIZE TRAIN There is no greater example of humility “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty than Jesus. Reflect on this for a moment by hand of God so that at the proper time he may contrasting who Jesus was from eternity past to exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because who he became at a certain time in human history. he cares for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7 No analogy can completely capture his humiliation, but to what would you compare it?

READ Look up the following verses and note How does this impact you? what each one says about leadership. Read 1 Peter 5:1-7. • 1 Timothy 3:1-4 1. How does the way elders are to lead differ • 2 Timothy 2:15 with the reasons and methods leaders in the world lead? • Luke 22:26 2. How should understanding that the flock The verb “shepherd” (Gr. poimaino) literally means belongs to God affect an elder’s service? to tend. Pastoring includes the duties of feeding, leading, guiding, guarding, and providing for the 3. What kind of things do you think an elder needs of those in the church, as a shepherd does should do to oversee the flock? for his sheep (cf. :16). 4. Are you an elder? If not, what principles Next Week: Standing Firm: 1 Peter 5:8-11 from this passage can you apply in your own life?

EXERCISE 5. How do you see pride impacting your Read each passage below and ask, relationship with God? With other people? How is pride connected to anger, • What does it say? (Comprehension) • What does it mean? (Interpretation) bitterness, envy, lust, anxiety, and other besetting sins? • What does it teach me about God and how do I respond to that? (Application)

1 Timothy 4:12 – PRAY For your Heart: Contemplate and give thanks for Acts 20:28 – the significance of your glorious new identity in Christ. Confess the alternate ways you have sought to gain an identity. Mark 10:44 – For our Church: Pray that our church family will grow together in grace to more fully appreciate and Matthew 20:25-28 – better reflect our united identity in Christ.

For our City: Pray that the Lord would open our John 10:11 – eyes to the ways his own image is embedded in all of our neighbors – Pray that we would view them and treat with the honor they are due because God Close your time today with reflection and prayer: has made them and loves them. Who is an elder (spiritual guide) in your life? How can you show your gratitude of him/her today?

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