1 PETER 3 WEDNESDAY CLASS
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ONE BENEFIT OF OUR CURRENT SITUATION
The Benefit of being with Family more:
We are experiencing a very strange and difficult situation with the Covid19 pandemic. Many of us have never be through anything quite like this. It is very interesting having to practice quarantine, social distancing and doing so many things that we usually do in person via video and the internet. We are not getting out as much, school are closed and our children at home and we are not able to meet in large groups. So many things in our daily lives are different or at least being done differently than what we are used to.
Some of things that we are experiencing are inconvenient and annoying, while others are extremely difficult. No matter how difficult, God can bring good things out of terrible situations that are beneficial to us and His purposes. One of the benefits of being with our families more, as many of us are, is that our family relationships are growing closer (Or at least have the potential to.)
As we begin to study 1 Peter chapter three, we find God’s instruction for how wives and husbands are supposed to treat each other. Considering God’s instructions for marriage in this section we are reminded that God is the creator of family and very concerned about each and every one.
AND THE FAMILY
AND THE FAMILY
hold much truth that speaks to marriage and in turn the family. Through verses one through seven, God gives instructions for both wives and husbands in how they are to not only treat each other in marriage. But these verses also reveal why living out God’s will in marriage should be done and what benefit will result.
The first section, verses one through seven can be broken up into two parts: commands for wives (verses 1-6) and for husbands (verse 7).
Before reading the first section discuss the following questions regarding the family:
Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE HEALTH OF THE MAJORITY OF FAMILIES IN OUR CULTURE?
Q: WHAT FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIFFICULTIES AND BREAKDOWN THAT FAMILIES ARE FACING TODAY?
Q: WHAT PART DOES THE HEALTH OF THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP PLAY IN THE HEALTH OF THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE?
Q: WHAT IMPACT DOES THE MARITAL RELATIONSHIP HAVE ON THE CHILDREN?
READ TOGETHER :
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
Context: In chapter three, Peter’s main focus going into this section is still submission, which we saw last week in Christians being subject to governing authorities () and slaves to masters (;18). This is why he states in verse one, “likewise” or “in the same way” (NIV). So “likewise” as Christians were to be submissive to authorities and slaves to masters “wives…submit yourselves to your own husbands.”
So “likewise” as Christians were to be submissive to authorities and slaves to masters “wives…submit yourselves to your own husbands.”
In verse seven he will say, “likewise,” or “in the same way,” again in addressing husbands and their responsibility to their wives. Just as the wife needs to be submissive her husband, the husband needs to be understanding and honor the his wife.
In a similar way as Christians were to be submissive to authorities and slaves to masters. Later he will say, Likewise, or in the same was, or in other words; just as the wife needs to be submissive, the husband needs to be understanding and honor the wife.
GOD’S WILL FOR WIVES
GOD’S WILL FOR WIVES
SUBMISSION TO THEIR HUSBANDS
SUBMISSION TO THEIR HUSBANDS
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
Q: I
God’s command for wives to be submissive to their husbands is not a popular idea in our culture. One reason for this is that there is that it is believed that this command is oppressive and implies that women are inferior to men.
But when you really examine what it means to be submissive these things, neither of these beliefs prove true. Adversely, submission in the home is practical and even necessary for peace.
Ultimately submission is God’s will for how wives are supposed to live within their marriage relationship. As with all of God’s commands, submission is wise for a number of reasons.
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS TOGETHER: take a few moments to discuss these questions with one another while considering verses one and two.
Q; What does it really mean to be submissive?
Q: How would you respond to the idea that wives submitting to their husbands is oppressive, unfair or that it implies that women are inferior?
Q: How is submission in the home practical and necessary to maintain peace?
Q: What reasons does our text, and other scriptures give for wives to submit to their husbands?
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
1 Peter 3:1-2
Q: What specific conduct is pointed out as being powerful in influencing unbelieving husbands to become followers of Christ? Why do believe these are so important?
For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
1 Peter 3;
Q: What does Sarah’s submission to Abraham teach about true submission?
Q: Why would God consider submission to be beautiful?
BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT
BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
1 Peter 3:3-
God desires all of us to be much more concerned with our hearts and how we behave than how attractive we are on the outside. We should be less concerned with the outward adornment as the inner person. If the inner person and actions are not beautiful it does not matter how pretty we are on the outside.
likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
Q: Do you believe that this is an needed truth for today and if so why?
1 Tim
Q: How can we make sure we place our identity in Christ rather than the outward appearance of our bodies or our lives?
a. Don’t worry so much about the outward adornment as the inner person. If the inner person and actions were not beautiful it does not matter how pretty you are on the outside
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
1 Sam
Peter addresses Christian wives in the first six verse of chapter three, particularly those who had married unchristian men before deciding to follow Christ. Then in verse seven God addresses Christian husbands in how they should treat their wives.
If God looks at the heart we should all be asking “does the Lord consider
GOD’S WILL FOR HUSBANDS
GOD’S WILL FOR HUSBANDS
1 Peter
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Peter’s culture devalued women to a great degree. It would have been easy for husband in that day to neglect, mistreat or be unconcerned with the needs of his wife. These instructions show both how scripture holds women in a place of honor,and would have made the marriage stand out as a unique example of Christ’s love for the church.
HUSBANDS LIVE WITH YOUR WIVES IN AN UNDERSTANDING WAY
HUSBANDS LIVE WITH YOUR WIVES IN AN UNDERSTANDING WAY
Q: what does it mean for a husband to live with His wife in an understanding way?
Q: What can husbands do to follow this command more effectively?
Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
Q: How would the kind of love God calls husbands to have for their wives lead them to “live with (their) wives in an understanding way?”
HUSBANDS HONOR YOUR WIVES
HUSBANDS HONOR YOUR WIVES
In the context wives should be held in honor “as the weaker vessel.” This did not mean they were weaker intellectually or spiritually but only physically, as “vessel” is often used for the physical body in the New Testament.
Wives were to be seen as heirs with Christ just as they were. In God’s eyes they were equally valuable as His daughters. They should be honored as such. In this God places the highest value on women no matter in what place culture puts them in.
Q: what does it look like when a husband honors his wife? How does this happen through his words and actions?
Considering the fact that the wife is a child of God and a fellow heir of heaven. If the husband takes advantage of, mistreats, does not respect his wife then he could hardly be pleasing in God’s sight.
This is evident as well in how the husbands prayers would be hindered if He did not honor his wife as God commanded. When a husband treats his wife with anything less than respect he is sinning.
Husbands could improve their relationships with their wives by asking them what they could do to make them feel honored and respected.
After instructions for wives and husbands Peter widens the scope of God’s instruction to all of Christ’s followers with the phrase “finally, all of you.” The instructions that follow apply to who we are to be even when we are mistreated or suffer.
GOD’S WILL FOR US, EVEN WHEN WE SUFFER
GOD’S WILL FOR US, EVEN WHEN WE SUFFER
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:8-12
Q: If the instructions to wives and husbands would bring good influence and peace in the home, what would these things instruction bring to the church and its influence on the world?
The list of attributes in verse eight are so important because these things impact how we treat everyone we come in contact with.
“Have unity of mind.
If we have the same mind and same goals then we will be in harmony with one another and accomplish what God has called us to.
Being of one mind is one of the things Paul talks in regards to unity in the church. Unity is one of the biggest themes in regards to the church because it was so vital.
b. Being of one mind is one of the things Paul talks in regards to unity in the church. Unity is one of the biggest themes in regards to the Church because it was so important.
Read together , and
Q: In the following verses what would the church be able to accomplish if they were of one mind?
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
Have “sympathy”.
i. ; both talk about one mind…unity in purpose is important…when we remember that we are fighting side by side for the gospel and not one another…
2. Be “sympathetic”.
a. This comes out in verse 10 “whoever desires to love life and see good days, keep his tongue from evil…”
The Greek here is ‘sympathes.’ Defined it is; “showing, having, or resulting from shared feelings, pity, or compassion.’ We understand that this means that when someone hurts, we hurt with them and it leads us to be responsive to their needs.
b. We understand that this means that when someone hurts, we hurt with them and it leads us to be responsive to their needs.
Jesus is our High Priest and is sympathetic to what we go through and is responsive to our needs. We take so much comfort in this truth and allow Him to be our example.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
i. () Jesus is our High Priest and is sympathetic to what we go through and is responsive to our needs. We take so much comfort in that as well.
Q: How can we grow in being sympathetic towards others?
c. Think of a time when a bro. or Sis. In Christ came to your aid because they sympathized with you... It is one of the greatest blessings to know someone knows where you are…
Have “brotherly love.”
When I read brotherly I automatically think of the love that I have for my physical brothers and how my love for my spiritual siblings compares.
b. When I read brotherly I automatically think of the love that I have for my physical brothers and how my love for my spiritual siblings compares.
b. If our attitudes are in the right place then our tongues will be in the right place and our actions.
Q: How should our love for our spiritual family compare with our physical family?
ii. Unfortunately, that is what happens sometimes…this love is supposed to bring good…
Q: What good will come from brotherly love?
Brotherly love bring with it a sacrificial devotion and closeness that makes the relationship more of a bond than just acquaintances.
Have “a tender heart” or compassion
Being tenderhearted does not sound like a very manly thing. We might say someone is tenderhearted when they cry easily, or are “soft,” but it is something we all need.
C. Peter’s message would help the church to have what it has always needed; unity.
Q: What commands will we not be able to fulfill if we do not have a “tender heart?”
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Q: How deep should the emotional bonds in the body of Christ be?
c. There is an emotional bond that should be there in the body…
Have “humility” (Greek; “Humble minded”)
Q: Why is humility so necessary for there to be peace? When have you seen a lack of humility hurt the peace in a group of people?
a. There is not likely going to be peace if there is not humility. Jesus had to keep the peace between His followers even because they were not as humble as they should have been, even though they were walking with the Lord.
i. Who was one of the ones who seemed to be least humble? The one who later wrote this epistle; Peter…God can change us even with the attitudes that we struggle with…
1. Jesus prayed that His followers be unified so that the world would know that they were his disciples.
b. When there is no humility in the church the same will result. There will be insisting on our way, thinking we are more important than we are then there is rudeness, lack of service, ect.
i. “Love does not insist on its own way.” And neither does humility…
What not to be; Do not be vengeful V9
“Do n
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
b. The unbelieving world needed to see Christ’s love through them regardless and stooping down to the level of other who did evil against them would not help them to be different it would only make them look just like everyone else.
c. Hence, ,
a.
2. It is also true in any relationship as within the church.
Q: How does this make for peace?
a. To use the analogy of a fight…if one person hits another but the other person does not hit back, is it a fight? No, it is not. How much peace is accomplished this way?
Q; What do we do when we are wronged? Do we completely ignore it?
Read together ,
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
SUGGESTED PRAYER