Pride and Worry

1 Pe 5:5-7

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

• At what point in life ...
  - do children begin to believe they are smarter than adults?
  - do younger adults begin to realize the wisdom of age and experience?
  - Is the generation gap a cultural thing or a human thing? Why do you think so?
  
• What does it mean to "clothe yourselves in humility toward one another"?
  
• What is implied by the command to clothe yourself?
  
• Why is humility an essential Christian quality for church life and growth?
  
• Why is God opposed to the proud?
  
• Is this opposition just toward pride against God?
  
• What are the dangers of pride?
  
• Is humility a prerequisite for receiving grace? Why?
  
• Why does God consider humility necessary before giving Him your worries?
  
• How much humility is required to let God handled your worries?
  
• How willing are you to suffer (physical or emotional) if God allows it?
  
• Why is humility necessary to trust God with your entire life?
  
• Why is this strong statement about pride and humility given after so many about suffering?
  
• In your daily life, are you more afraid of physical or emotional suffering?
  
• What fears keep you from doing all that you know you should for Christ?
  
• How does pride impact your fears?
  

Instructions to elders

1 Pe 5:1-4

5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, [1] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; [2] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Footnotes
[1] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you

• What is your understanding of an elder's functions?
  
• What does it mean to shepherd?
  
• What does the phrase "the flock of God" say to you?
  
• How does an elder exercise oversight? What does it look like?
  
• Why might a man be compelled to exercise oversight involuntarily?
  
• Why is it God's will that oversight be performed voluntarily?
  
• How might an elder receive "sordid gain"?
  
• How is not getting money related to eagerness?
  
• How might an elder "lord it over" the flock?
  
• What does being an example accomplish among the flock?
  
• How effective will an elder be if the flock does not want to be overseen?
  
• What is your role in regard to your elders?
  
• Why did Peter wait until he had discussed suffering many times before talking to elders?