To-do list, pt. 1

1 Pe 4:7-9

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

• Why is it valuable to remember that the end is at hand?
  
• Why is it dangerous to believe that you have tomorrow?
  
• How would you change your life if you knew you had a week to live?
  
• According to the Holy Spirit through Peter, what should you do knowing that the end of things is near?
  
• What do you think God considers self-control and a sober mind to be?
  
• How do these two things influence prayer?
  
• Why is it important to have self-control and a sober mind to pray?
  
• When have you prayed without self-control and a sober mind?
  
• What type of love are you to have for one another?
  
• What is the difference between a earnest love and toleration?
  
• How earnestly do you love fellow Christians?
  
• How does love cover a multitude of sins?
  
• Whose sins are covered?
  
• What does it mean to be hospitable to one another?
  
• How hospitable are you?
  
• What stands in the way of your hospitality?
  
• How likely are you to complain about being hospitable?

You are different

1 Pe 4:1-6

4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, [1] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Footnotes
[1] 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you

• What is the "same way of thinking" that you are to arm yourself with?
  
• What does "arm yourself" imply?
  
• How does suffering in the flesh relate to sin?
  
• How does God want you to live your life in the flesh?
  
• How much of "what the Gentiles want to do" have you done previously?
  
• Why does the changed life of a Christian surprise non-Christians?
  
• What friends did you lose when you became a Christian?
  
• How different is your life from that of the world?
  
• In what ways do/did you suffer for not "pursuing a course" of sin?
  
• What assurance and encouragement is there in knowing that God is the judge of all?
  
• What is the purpose of the gospel and why is it preached?
  
• How does verse 6 indicate the gospel is about more than conversion?
  
• When you look at your life in the flesh...
  - how different is it from the world around you?
  - how different is it from living in the spirit according to God's will?

Christ suffered to save you

1 Pe 3:17-22

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered [1] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which [2] he went and proclaimed [3] to the spirits in prison, 20 because [4] they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Footnotes
[1] 3:18 Some manuscripts died
[2] 3:19 Or the Spirit, in whom
[3] 3:19 Or preached
[4] 3:20 Or when

• How does your suffering for doing right compare to that of Christ?
  
• Why did Christ die for sins?
  - To whom did He bring you?
  - What happened to his flesh?
  
• How does knowing (but not understanding fully) that Christ preached to the spirits in prison affect you?
  
• How does the salvation of Noah encourage you today?
  
• How does baptism now save you?
  
• Through what does baptism save?
  
• What appeal is made to God in baptism?
  
• Why would people resist such a simple, yet profound response to Christ's death?
  
• Where is Christ now and how did His suffering get him there?
  
• Who is subject to Christ?
  
• How does this encourage you?

Suffering yet again

1 Peter 3:13-17

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

• Why is Peter dwelling on suffering?
  
• How does this epistle go against the flow of "good-time gospel"?
  
• How is this epistle good news?
  
• Who is there to harm you if you are trying to do good?
  
• Who or what do you fear that keeps you from doing right?
  
• Who or what intimidates you and troubles your Christian walk?
  
• Why is it important to clearly recognize Christ as your Lord in your heart?
  
• What does it mean to have a Lord and Master?
  
• Who is competing for lordship of your heart?
  
• How are you as a Christian supposed to act when challenged about your life?
  
• How ready are you to defend the hope that you have?
  
• How ready are you to be gentle and reverent in your defense?
  
• How does your behavior in Christ put those who intimidate you to shame?
  
• If it is God's will that you suffer, what should be the reasons?
  
• How have you suffered for Christ's sake in the past week?
  
• What "questionable" enjoyment have you given up for Christ's sake?
  
• When have you left your comfort zone to do right?

Guidelines for Christian life

1 Pe 3:8-12

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 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. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 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.”

• What does it mean to have "unity of mind"? How often are you concerned about your mind being united with other Christians?
  
• What does it mean to have "sympathy"? How much sympathy do you have?
  
• What does it mean to have "brotherly love"? How much brotherly do you have?
  
• What does it mean to have a "tender heart"? How tender hearted are you?
  
• What does it mean to have a "humble mind"? How humble in mind are you?
  
• For what purpose were you called? What will you get?
• Why would God want you to not return evil and/or insult others?
  
• How often do you bless those who annoy or even persecute you?
  
• Which is more important to you: getting back at someone or having God on your side?
  
• What does knowing the face of the Lord is against evildoers help?
  
• How does your righteousness influence your prayers?

Husbands

1 Pe 3:7

7 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 [1] of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Footnotes
[1] 3:7 Some manuscripts since you are joint heirs

• What does it mean to live in an "understanding way"?
  
• How do women think differently from men?
  
• How are women emotionally different from men?
  
• Why is neither man's nor woman's view automatically the right view?
  
• What can a husband do to understand his wife's differences?
  
• How might a husband suffer if he "lives in an understanding way"?
  
• For Christian spouses, how does being "fellow heirs" change the marital relationship?
  
• When is any Christian permitted to
  - treat someone wrongly
  - have a selfish attitude towards someone
  - have an arrogant, bossy attitude towards some
  
• Why does being fellow heirs of the grace of life require better behavior?
  
• How might your behavior and attitude towards your wife hinder your prayers?
  

Beautiful wives

1 Pe 3:1-6

3:1 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, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 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. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

• At this point, who has Peter told Christians to be submissive, respectful, and obedient to?
  
• Why does Peter's challenge to wives come immediately after discourses on Jesus' suffering and unreasonable masters?
  
• Why does he specifically address wives of husbands disobedient to the word?
  
• What is one purpose for the wife's submission?
  
• Why might a Christian wife consider herself free from her husband's authority?
  
• How is this any different that governmental or master's authority?
  
• How is the Christian wife supposed to be attentive to beauty?
  
• Which of these things will last and grow more precious?

Called to suffer

1 Pe 2:21-25

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

• Why would God call you for the purpose of suffering for doing right?
  
• How do you feel when you think that you were called to follow Christ's example in suffering?
  
• How well do you live up to the example?
  
• How was Christ able to endure the suffering that he went through?
  
• How often do you entrust your day-to-day suffering to God?
  
• How is your day-to-day suffering similar to Christ's?
  
• How is your day-to-day suffering different from Christ's?
  
• Why did Christ endure his suffering?
  
• What was the result of his bearing your sins on the cross?
  
• What was the result of his wounds?
  
• How often does a part of you long to be straying again?
  
• What would happen if you followed those straying urges?
  
• What role does Christ play now?

Submission to bad bosses

1 Pe 2:18-21

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

• How were free-in-Christ servant/slaves supposed to deal with their masters?
  
• What is different about submission with respect?
  
• How did the master's behavior change things?
  
• How do you treat your employer?
  
• How submissive are you?
  
• How submissive are the following:
  - active aggressive responses
  - passive aggressive responses
  
• How respectful is the submission you give your employer?
  
• What was the purpose for this submission?
  
• How does your conscience towards God change your work life?
  
• Why would God seem to be unconcerned about your suffering at work?
  
• Why are your to bear up under unjust suffering?
  
• When might you suffer unjustly at work?
  
• When have you been "slammed" after you did the right thing?
  
• How well do you patiently endure unjust suffering?
  
• What is essential to this type of endurance?
  
• What sort of daily suffering do you endure just because you are a Christian trying to do right?
  
• What temptations do you have to suffer through and not give in to?
  
• What activities must you avoid that your friends enjoy?
  
• What ridicule must you endure for not being like the crowd?

Submission to human institutions

1 Pe 2:13-17

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, [1] whether it be to the emperor [2] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants [3] of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Footnotes
[1] 2:13 Or every institution ordained for people
[2] 2:13 Or king; also verse 17
[3] 2:16 Greek bondservants

• After saying that Christians are a Holy Nation, Aliens, and otherwise special people, why does Peter stress submission to human institutions?
  - For who's sake are Christians to submit?
  - Which human institutions are included?
  
• Earlier in the book Peter recognized the suffering and trials his readers have endured, very likely at the hands of human authorities.
  - Why should the readers submit to those who are trying them?
  - Why is it important for Christians to obey the law of the land?
  - Ideally, what are human authorities supposed to do?
  
• What is a Christian responsible for doing?
  - Why should a Christian strive do right and not evil?
  - How might a Christian use their freedom to as a covering for evil?
  - Is it ever right to lie or be dishonest in order to do good?
  
• What did it mean to be a bondservant?
  - How can Christians be both bondservants and free?
  
• Why does God want you to ...
  - honor all men
  - love the brotherhood
  - fear Him
  - honor earthly leaders (kings, etc)
  
  

Sojourners and exiles

1 Pe 2:11-12

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

• How much do you feel at home in this world?
  - How strong is your desire to get back to your homeland?
  - How does your desire to fit in here compare with your desire for heaven?
  
• Why did Peter use such strong terms when describing problems with the flesh?
  - What imagery comes to mind when you read "wage war"?
  - How do passions of the flesh wage war against the soul?
  
• Why are you to have good behavior?
  - How do you feel when you realize that it is important what non-Christians see in you?
  - How do non-Christians slander Christians as evildoers today?
  - When will your good deeds before non-Christians produce their results?
  - How does doing things for God's glory compare with doing things for yours?
  

Harold's Musings
Sojourner is a word that I seldom use. The dictionary states it means "to stay as a temporary resident". Exile means "the state or a period of forced (or voluntary) absence from one's country or home". So we are to consider ourselves to be only temporary residents who are living a forced absence from our home. We might even be considered migrant workers, people who left their home to travel somewhere to work. I don't think of myself this way often enough. How about you?

You are special

1 Pe 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

• How does our culture influence our understanding of v. 9?
  
• What does it mean to be a chosen race?
  - What are the distinguishing characteristics of this race?
  - How often do you consider yourself chosen?
  
• What does it mean to be a royal priesthood?
  - How often do you consider yourself royalty?
  - How often do you consider yourself to be a priest?
  
• What does it mean to be a holy nation?
  - Who does this refer to?
  - How often do you consider yourself holy?
  
• What does it mean to be a people for God's own possession?
  - How often do you consider yourself owned by God?
  
• How often do you consider yourself to one of the people of God?
  
• How often do you recognize the mercy you have received?
  
• What is the purpose for your being these things?
  - What changes did God make in or provide for you?
  
• If you realized your position in Christ more frequently, how often would you proclaim God's excellencies?
  

Corner stones and stumbling stones

1 Pe 2:6-8

6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,” [1]

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Footnotes
[1] 2:7 Greek the head of the corner

• What is the foundation that your life is built upon?
  
• If pieces of your life were removed,
  - which one(s) would cause you to crumble
  - which one(s) would cause you to shake and tremble
  - which one(s) would cause you to breath a sigh of relief
  
• How does your belief in Christ support the various aspects of your life?
  
• Which parts of your life are not based on your belief in Christ?
  
• How is your trust in Christ evident in your life?
  
• How precious is Christ to you?
  
• How is belief and disobedience related?
  
• How is disobedience to God's word like stumbling over Christ?
  
• When has Christ been offensive to you?
  
• Why is it difficult/impossible to truly believe God's word and consistently disobey it?

A Holy Priesthood

1 Pe. 2:4-5

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

• What is a living stone?
  
• Who was the first living stone?
  
• Who are living stones now?
  
• Why are living stones needed?
  
• What are the living stones being used to build?
  
• Which is more beautiful in God's eyes?
  - a huge, marvelously designed cathedral?
  - a large functional church building
  - a living spiritual church built using living spiritual people
  
• How do you feel knowing that you are a living stone?
  - delighted that you can participate with Christ
  - pleased to be connected to other living stones in a permanent bond
  - unhappy that people seldom see the individual stones in a building
  - disappointed to be "just another brick in the wall"
  
• Who makes up the holy priesthood that serves in the spiritual house?
• What is the apparent attraction of having a few designated priests instead of all believers being priests?
  
• How would your daily life be different if you realized your priesthood?
  
• What are the spiritual sacrifices that you as a priest are to offer? [Consider Rom. 6:11-13, Rom. 12:1-2, Heb. 13:15-16]
  
• What makes your spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God?
  
• Through what means are you sacrifices offered to God?
  
• Why do we have such a tendency to focus on the physical when God focuses on the spiritual?

Harold's Musings:
If I could just keep this passage in the front of my mind all day every day, I would be more content with my walk here on earth. This passage sums up what should drive a Christian's attitude and actions. My self-image would not be fragile and prone to being hurt. My every action would be a priestly service towards God. What a challenge we have!

Hungry babies

1 Pe 1:25-2:3

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 2:1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

• What information do you hunger for?
  
• How hungry are you for the following [0 not hungry - 5 famished]
  - news about your family
  - sports news
  - economic news
  - national news
  - international news
  - hobby/special interest news
  - new book
  
• How does the eternal, unchanging, abiding nature of God's word influence its attractiveness to you?
  - How often do you read other information more than twice?
  - How might the Bible's familiarity cause it to be less interesting?
  
• What does your being born again require you to put off?
  - How likely is a newborn baby to act like the list in v. 1?
  
• If you have been born again through the living word of God, why would you crave God's word?
  - How does God's word help you "grow in respect to salvation"?
  - How does tasting the Lord's kindness increase your appetite?

The Word of God

1 Pe 1:22-25

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for

“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

• How did you obey the truth?
  
• How have you purified your souls?
  - What is at least one reason for purifying your soul?
  
• How fervent and sincere is your love for one another?
  - Why is it important that your love come from the heart and not just the head?
  - Why was the purification necessary before the love?
  
• How does being born again relate to obedience, purification, and love?
  - Why is God's word the avenue for this new birth?
  
• What is God's word?
  - How does this passage impact you if you consider God's word to be a book?
  - How does this passage impact you if you consider God's word to be Jesus?
  
• Realizing that God's word abides forever, why do we spend more time chasing temporary things?
  - How long do you read and study God's word each day?
  - Compare that time with time spent reading, watching TV, gardening, etc.