Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the epistle of 1 Peter. I feel a great sense of urgency to publish them because I’m not sure how much time we have left on this big, blue marble. Thank you for reading them. I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, early summer 2010, things are still looking pretty bleak with the economy and unemployment, and BP is taking a lot of heat over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 5 of 1 Peter. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
5:1 – Based on this verse, what might the “qualifications” be for an elder in this area at this time? Would you be considered an elder?
5:2 – What are the tasks of a shepherd? What are the duties of an overseer?
We are to be eager to serve, not serve grudgingly. Which category does your attitude about service fall into? For me, it depends on the service. Often, I serve with a dutiful attitude? Do you have any advice to help me become more eager to serve?
5:3 – What does it mean to “lord” something over someone? According to various dictionaries, it means to dominate another person or to consider yourself better than someone else. We shouldn’t do this.
We are to be examples to others. What kind of example are you setting? Do you think this responsibility is reserved for leaders? Or should all Christians try to set a good example?
5:4 – Obedience to these directives means that we will receive the crown of glory from Christ when He returns.
5:5 – To whom does this verse apply? Personally, I believe it applies to everyone. We should all submit to the authorities that God places over us. How do we know if God placed them there? If they’re there, God placed them there!
We are supposed to have humility toward one another. What do you think this means? How do you live this command? See Proverbs 3:34 for the original verse that is quoted here.
5:6 – If we humble ourselves, God may lift us up.
humble – praotes – gentleness.
The devil is our enemy.
5:7 – How can you make a habit of casting your anxiety on the Lord?
5:8 – Christians are actively being hunted by the devil. Our self-control and alertness will protect us.
5:9 – What can we do to resist the devil? Are you standing firm in the faith? Are you praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world? What are you praying for them?
Check out James 4:7. In fact, memorize James 4:7.
5:10 – The reward for resisting the devil and standing firm in the faith is that God will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
5:11 – The Lord is truly powerful. It may benefit you to do a word study on “power”. It’s easy to do a word study. You can use an exhaustive concordance (or an online site like blueletterbible.com) to look up the word you want to study – in this case, “power”. Look up (or print up) all of the verses that contain the word. Read through them, take notes, pray the verses back to God. If you decide to do that, let me know what you learned.
5:12 – Peter wrote this encouraging letter with Silas’ help. What can you tell about Silas from Peter’s brief description of him, here?
5:13 – What more does this verse tell you about Peter and his companions?
5:14 – Why do you think Peter tells them to greet each other with a kiss of love?
• First Peter illustrates several life lessons for Christians. What is God teaching you in this chapter of scripture? How will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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