Off the Shelf Sunday School--1 Peter 2

Live Like Servants (2:13-17)

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

 1.  Christians are told to submit to every authority instituted among men (examples?) who punish evil and commend what is good.

A. How are we to act related to government, religious and other authorities?

B. What made this difficult for believers in Peter’s day?

C. Is there a place for criticism in submitting to government? 

D. Christians should practice civil disobedience only when the government requires

     its citizens to disobey God, not when it only permits them to disobey Him. What do you think of this statement?

 E. Currently the United States government permits abortion, for example, but it does not require it. What do you think of those who bomb abortion clinics? 

 2.  Christians are called to live as servants and to respect others.  (Rom. 12:10; Eph. 5:21; Phil. 2:3). This is counter-cultural to American society which promotes  individualism through stressing the importance of individual rights and entitlements. This is evident in many popular commercials and expressions such as: “go for the gusto, have it your way, you deserve a break today, pull yourself up by your boot-straps….”

3.  How does living in God’s will silence the ignorant talk of foolish men? Doing good and being good through loving and serving others convicts others of their short comings such as a lack of integrity, lies, etc. Light exposes darkness. 

4.  In what sense are Christians free men? Christians are accepted by God through his mercy and so they are freed from trying to earn it. (1 Cor 6:20; Gal 5:13) 

5.    Peter clarifies that being free from the penalty of sins does not mean that Christians can or should do evil so that the grace of God may abound. (Rom 3:7-8; 6:15-18)

6.    Peter says that we must live as servants and show respect, love and honor for others but especially for other Christians. 

 The Attitude & Service of Slaves (2:18-25)

Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For your were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

 1. Peter begins by calling Christians slaves. This is an offensive word in America but during Peter’s time, most Christians were slaves or came from the middle or lower classes. (1 Cor 1:26-29)

2. Peter tells them to submit respectfully to those in authority regardless of how they are treated. How does this apply to us today? Are we servants of others in society? How are we to conduct ourselves?

3. It is commendable to bear unjust suffering for the sake of following God’s will. Jesus set this example for us through his life and death on the cross to fulfill the Father’s will. Jesus was insulted and rejected for righteous behavior yet he did not retaliate. (Mt 26:67) He placed himself in Father’s will and trusted him. (Mt 16:24)

4. Suffering for the sake of following Jesus is expected. (2 Tim 3:12) How does this apply to us today? Suffering for doing good fosters spiritual growth. How? (James 1:2-4)

5. Jesus is our Shepherd & Overseer. We were like sheep who strayed but have returned. (Mt18:12-14; Jn 10:14-16). Why does Peter choose this analogy? (Psalm 23) How does this help in times of trials?