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Home Group Notes - 1 Peter

We are starting a new series in home groups on 1 Peter, probably written during the 60’s AD. During most of the 1^st century AD there was not widespread persecution of Christians, but some faced opposition from family and the authorities and some were tortured and killed. The early part of the reign of the emperor Nero was a time of relative stability, but towards the end of his life he became more erratic and there seems to have been some persecution of Christians in 64 AD, after the great fire of Rome. Traditionally both Paul and Peter were martyred around this time.

The theme of this letter is hope. In the face of persecution, political uncertainty and, in human terms, a precarious future, Peter writes to give confidence to believers scattered around various parts of Asia Minor (present day Turkey). We may not suffer persecution, but none of us is exempt from difficulties in life. Peter reminds the believers of what they have received from God, what hope they have for the future and how they should behave in the midst of difficult times.

How are the believers whom Peter addresses ‘strangers in the world’ (v1)?

In what ways are we ‘strangers in the world’?

What are the consequences of the new birth we have received (v3-9)?

What help does Peter give to those suffering ‘grief in all kinds of trial’ (v3)?

What have we learned in difficult times that has strengthened our faith?

How did Peter’s readers come to know about Jesus (v10-12)? How did we learn about God’

How should we respond to the gift of salvation described in the first part of the chapter (v13-16)?

Think about what you have to do tomorrow. How can we be holy in all we do?

How should a holy life affect our relationship with one another (v22)?

v17 reminds us of v1. How and why do we seek to live as strangers?

What do v18-25 tell us about what Christ has done for us?

You are on a train and the person sitting next to you is reading this passage. They ask if you can explain it to them. Which three points would you pick out of the passage as the most important?

Notes

v1 Some of the names in the introduction are places visited by Paul on his missionary journeys.

v2 This verse brings together the three persons of the Trinity, who all work to bring about our salvation. The Father chose us before we chose Him; Jesus the Son died for us; the Holy Spirit brings us the benefits of salvation and sets us apart for God’s service.

v6 Christians would not worship the Roman gods, so were seen as atheists, and would not worship the emperor as a god, and thus were seen as traitors. This made them unpopular and handy as scapegoats.

v20 Christ’s death was not an afterthought. The plan was set in motion by the eternal God long before the world was created.

v24,25 Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8. Everything in this life will eventually fade away. Only God’s will, word and work are permanent.

What does it mean to ‘grow up in your salvation’?

How can we help each other to grow as Christians?

What images does Peter use for our growth as individuals and as a group?

How might the five sins listed in v1 hinder our relationships with other Christians?

How can we as a church live up to the calling Peter describes in v9-10?

What does it mean to be a ‘chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation’?

What is Peter referring to when he speaks of the stone in v6-8? How might this encourage us?

Does the reference to ‘strangers’ in v11 add anything more to what we said about this in chapter 1?

How could we put v12 into practice in our daily lives?

Why might Christians be reluctant to grow up?

How might this passage encourage them to grow?

v2 The Greek word for ‘spiritual’ may also be translated as ‘of the word’. Hebrews 5:12 contains the same idea and the Old Testament speaks of the Word of God as spiritual food (e.g. Psalm 19:10, 119:103).

v4-10 Spiritual growth is for the individual and for Christians as the church. The purpose of stones is not to be kept in isolation, but to be joined into a building. But then Peter switches images, for the church is not just standing there, but is actively working and worshipping, so we are to be a holy priesthood.

v6-8 The reference to stones reminds Peter of Christ. However people respond to Jesus, God’s purposes are fulfilled in him. Peter combines two prophecies: Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22, which Jesus applied to himself in Mark 12:10. Peter also quoted it in Acts 4:11. Jesus is both the foundation on which the Church is built and the capstone (or keystone) into whom the Church grows.

v9-10 In contrast to those who do not believe in Christ and stumble, Christians have inherited the privileges promised to the people of Israel in the Old Testament. The privileges of being a chosen people bring with them the responsibility of telling the world what God has done.

(Notes taken from New Bible Commentary)

How would you define ‘submission’?

Is it right to submit ourselves to the government in all matters (v13-17)?

Can we apply the instructions to slaves to any area of modern life (v18-25)?

What can we learn from Jesus’ example?

What reasons does Peter give for the advice in verses 1-7?

Do these principles have any modern relevance or do they reflect a culture which is now gone?

How can we apply these verses to our marriages or other relationships?

What should be the hallmarks of our behaviour to one another (v8-12)?

To submit – to yield, resign; to subordinate; to subject; to refer for decision, arbitration, etc;

(Chambers Dictionary)

‘Submission is voluntarily co-operating with anyone out of love and respect for God first, and then secondly out of love and respect for that person. Submitting to non-believers is difficult, but it is a vital part of leading them to Jesus Christ. We are not called to submit to non-believers to the point that we compromise our relationship with God, but we must look for every opportunity to serve humbly in the power of God’s Spirit.’ (Life Application Bible)

As God’s people Christians know that they are only passing through this world, but their conduct should show that they are citizens of a better country. This good conduct is expressed by submission to the demands of human institutions. It is striking that Peter is probably writing the time of the emperor Nero and aware of what opposition to the divine claims of the emperor may cost. He still regards the state as appointed by God to maintain moral values. The practical outworking of this view is seen in v17. Show respect to all people, with a special relationship of love to those within the Church; approach God in an attitude of worship and the emperor with respect.

Peter follows these principles with advice to two groups of people whose inferior position in the ancient world could make life very difficult for them: slaves and women. Peter stressed the equality of men and women as joint heirs of God’s grace (v7), while maintaining the wife’s subordination to her husband. Verses 1-6 seem to be addressed to wives married to unbelievers, v7 appears to assume that the husband shares his Christian faith with his wife.

The word ‘example’ in v21 is used only here in the New Testament. It comes from the outline drawings of letters to be copied by a pupil, like the dots for children to join up when they are learning to write.

v8-12 give more general advice on behaviour among the believers, which should be one of blessing, calling down God’s power and love on all people, even those who wish to do us harm.

What does Peter tell us about living through times of suffering?

What does it mean to set apart Christ as Lord in your heart?

How can the way we live provide an opening for sharing the Gospel?

What reasons can we give for the hope we have?

What does the passage tell us about the meaning of Baptism?

How can Christ’s suffering help us in difficult times?

What do verses 18-22 tell us about what Christ has achieved?

‘The end of all things is near.’ Do we believe this and what difference should it make to our lives?

What practical advice does Peter give the church and how can we put these into practice at St Barnabas (v7-11)?

Notes

3v18-20 It is not easy to follow Peter’s argument here, but his aim seems to be to show that there can be a purpose to suffering. Peter acknowledges that sometimes suffering may be the will of God. Jesus’ suffering and death had a purpose: first, he opened the way to God for human beings; secondly, he was able to preach to those who apparently would not have had the opportunity to hear the gospel otherwise. The meaning of ‘preaching to the spirits in prison’ is a matter of some debate. The most usual interpretation is that Christ, between his death and resurrection, announced salvation to God’s faithful followers who had been waiting for their salvation during the Old Testament era. We refer to this every week in the creed when we say ‘ He descended to the dead’. This may be reflected in the verses in Matthew 27:52, 53 about the dead being raised at the time Jesus died. A few commentators think the passage says that Christ’s Spirit was in Noah as he preached to his contemporaries imprisoned by sin.

v20 The reference to Noah parallels his salvation through the waters of the flood with the experience of baptism.

4v1-2 In suffering, therefore, the believer may be brought closer to Christ, by sharing with him in his sufferings.

4v6 Peter says that the gospel has been preached even to the dead. This may be another reference to Jesus between Good Friday and Easter Day. The Good News was first preached by Jesus, when he was on earth, but it has been operating since before the creation of the world and affects all people. However, it could be a reassurance to believers about those who died before Jesus returned, as in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Why should Christians expect to suffer for being Christians?

What kind of judgment is referred to in v 17?

When choosing people for leadership positions in the church, what qualities should we look for?

What challenges and encouragements does Peter offer in v5 –11?

Why should we live this way?

How should we relate to a) those in leadership in the church, b) other Christians

and c) to God? Why?

How can we resist the devil?

Has anything particular spoken to anyone in the group from these studies in 1 Peter?

5v13 Babylon has normally been understood to stand for Rome. Just as the nation of Israel had been in captivity to Babylon, so Christians were strangers in their own lands.

Mark, also called John Mark, travelled with Paul and Barnabas. He may have been with the disciples when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:51,52). Traditionally Peter was Mark’s main source for his Gospel.