Author: Stan

A Study Of
1 Peter
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
(1 Peter 4:12-13)
Questions prepared by Stan Cox

Table of Contents
Introduction & Greeting (1:1-2) 4
A Heavenly Inheritance (1:3-12) 4
Living Before God Our Father (1:13-21) 5
The Enduring Word (1:22—2:3) 6
The Chosen Stone & His Chosen People (2:4-10) 6
Living Before the World (2:11-12) 7
Submission to Government (2:13-17) 7
Submission to Masters (2:18-25) 8
Submission to Husbands (3:1-6) 9
A Word to Husbands (3:7) 9
Called to Blessing (3:8-12) 10
Suffering for Right and Wrong (3:13-17) 10
Christ’s Suffering and Ours (3:18—4:6) 11
Serving to God’s Glory (4:7-11) 13
Suffering for God’s Glory (4:12-19) 14
Shepherd the Flock (5:1-4) 14
Submit to God, Resist the Devil (5:5-11) 15
Farewell and Peace (5:12-14) 16
In the preparation of this booklet, a deliberate effort has been made to ask questions that will lead to discussion and class participation. Study of the material is essential, and an appeal to the context is important as the questions are answered. Please consider this, and seek to make practical applications of the material found in 1 Peter.

Introduction & Greeting (1:1-2)
Who are the “pilgrims of the Dispersion”?
Does verse 2 describe predestination? What is predestination, and what do sanctification, obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus have to do with it?
A Heavenly Inheritance (1:3-12)
Explain the phrase “begotten again”.
What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ have to do with our “living hope”?
Explain Peter’s characterization of the Christian’s inheritance.
What kind of trials does Peter refer to in verse 6? Tested by fire? (7)
Consider verse 8 in light of Jesus words to Thomas (John 20:29).
Discuss the part the prophets of God played in the revelation of God’s scheme of redemption.
Living Before God Our Father (1:13-21)
What does it mean to gird up the loins of your mind?
Are you resting your hope fully upon grace? What can we do to heed Peter’s exhortation in this?
Explain the basis of God’s call for us to be holy. How do we determine what is holy, and what is not?
Consider what it means to conduct yourself here in fear.
Why is the blood of Jesus special, in comparison to other things that are ineffective in redeeming man?
How can we correlate the phrase “aimless conduct” with the life we lived before becoming a Christian?
Discuss the concept of foreordination (20).
The Enduring Word (1:22—2:3)
The word “Since” is used. How does obedience to the truth lead to love for the brethren?
Are there other places where the Word of God is referred to as seed?
Define and consider each of the sins in (2:1) we are told to lay aside. How is this to be done?
What does the word “pure” (“sincere”, KJV) mean in 2:2?
Why should a desire for the word follow the graciousness of the Lord?
The Chosen Stone & His Chosen People (2:4-10)
Discuss Jesus as a chosen stone, a “chief cornerstone”. What is significant about this description of Jesus?
To whom is Jesus considered precious? Who is described as rejecting the stone?
How is Jesus a “stone of stumbling”?
Discuss the significance of each of the clauses describing the faithful in verse 9 and 10.
Living Before the World (2:11-12)
Identify some “fleshly lusts” that we are to abstain from.
How do those who “speak against you” glorify God “in the day of visitation”?
Submission to Government (2:13-17)
Recognizing our responsibility to submit to civil law, is there a limit to this responsibility?
Explain how liberty can be used as a cloak for vice.
Consider the call to “honor the king” in light of our country, and our freedom of speech and constitutional liberties. What are the limits for the Christian?
Discuss the calls to “Love the brotherhood.”; and “Fear God.”
Submission to Masters (2:18-25)
What is fair about the call to submit even to masters who are harsh?
Discuss the difference between suffering despite righteous action, and suffering because of doing evil. Can you give examples, considering the Employer/Employee relationship?
Explain how we are to follow the example of Christ, considering the context. What does it mean that He “committed Himself to Him who judges righteously”?
Discuss the phrase, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”
Submission to Husbands (3:1-6)
This call for submission is specifically to women with husbands who are not Christians. How can this be a challenge?
Consider the effectiveness of a quiet, godly influence.
Does verse 3 condemn makeup, jewelry or styling of hair? If not, why not?
Give examples of an incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Note how God sees such a woman.
Sarah is named as an example of a submissive woman. Can you name others? How do we deal with society’s opposition to these words?
A Word to Husbands (3:7)
What does it mean to “dwell with them with understanding”?
How do you give “honor to the wife”?
How is a wife a “weaker vessel”?
How would a violation of these admonitions hinder a husband’s prayers?
Called to Blessing (3:8-12)
How does the following contribute to being of one mind —having compassion; love; tenderheartedness; courtesy?
Discuss how we can return evil/reviling with blessing.
What does “you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” mean?
List the obligations given to the one who would see good days, given in verses 10 and 11.
Suffering for Right and Wrong (3:13-17)
Peter doesn’t directly answer the question he asks in verse 13. So, who is he who would harm you if you do good?
How can it be a blessing to suffer for righteousness’ sake?
How can we manage not to be “afraid of their threats, nor be troubled”?
How does God’s instruction to be ready to give a defense (15) relate to your response to persecution?
What does it mean to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”?
How does it shame someone who would defame you as an evildoer?
How could it be the will of God for a righteous man to suffer?
Christ’s Suffering and Ours (3:18—4:6)
What does it mean that Jesus was “put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit”?
Who are the “spirits in prison”, and when did Jesus go and preach to them?
What does it mean that Noah and his family were “saved through water”?
What is an “antitype”? Explain how baptism “now saves us”.
What does Jesus ascension have to do with his authority?
Consider that Christ’s suffering is the reason we should no longer live in sin. Why is that?
Define these terms: * Lewdness - * lusts - * drunkenness - * revelries - * drinking parties - * abominable idolatries -
Why do people speak evil of the Christian who refuses to sin with them? How can we help young Christians with this?
Explain verse 6. What does it mean that the gospel was preached also to “those who are dead”?
Serving to God’s Glory (4:7-11)
Since 2,000 years have passed since the writing of Peter’s letter, explain the phrase, “the end of all things is at hand”.
Why is it important to be serious and watchful in our prayers? How does that impact our readiness for the end?
How does love cover “a multitude of sins”?
Explain the benefits of love, hospitality, ministry to one another; and how it impacts our readiness for the end.
How is it being a good steward to minister to one another?
How does verse 11 correlate to the concept of authority? And, how does this ensure that God is glorified?
Suffering for God’s Glory (4:12-19)
Why should we not be surprised if we are persecuted?
Discuss how it is a blessing and cause for rejoicing to suffer. How can we develop the mindset to consider it so?
Can you list any Bible characters who glorified God because they suffered as a result of their faith?
In the context of verses 17-18, what does it mean that the “righteous one is scarcely saved”?
How does the faithfulness of God as Creator impact our ability to tolerate suffering for Christ?
Shepherd the Flock (5:1-4)
In what way was Peter an elder?
Define and explain the terms Shepherd and Overseer.
How might an elder serve for dishonest gain?
Contrast the idea of being “lords over” and “examples”.
Submit to God, Resist the Devil (5:5-11)
What does the phrase, “all of you be submissive to one another” entail?
Supply other verses that discuss the importance of humility. How do we exhibit a spirit of humility in our relationship to other men?
How do we cast “all our care upon” God? How will that impact our heart?
Define “sober” and “vigilant”. How does this help us resist the devil?
What does Peter’s description of the devil reveal about our adversary?
Do the words “knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood” have an impact on the idea of resisting the devil?
Does our suffering help to perfect and establish us?
Farewell and Peace (5:12-14)
Peter says that we stand in the “true grace of God”. In what way is this so?
Who is this person: “She who is in Babylon”?
How are we “elect together” with other Christians?
Discuss the ramifications of Peter’s instruction, “Greet one another with a kiss of love.”
Notes
Notes

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