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?

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?

Angry wirh a brother

Matthew 5:21-26

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

• What is the connection between murder and anger?
  
• Why is anger such a dangerous emotion?
  
• Why is God concerned even about the words we speak in anger?
  
• Why would Jesus jump from your anger to your wrongdoing?
• How is forgiveness connected to anger?

Harold's Musings:
I have been dwelling on anger for several days and some of you are probably getting angry about it. :-) I have fought against my anger for decades. Only once in my life have I been so angry that I truly could not see straight. I had been callously and intentionally wronged by a lab instructor. I did not do anything wrong as a result of my anger, but oh did I feel like doing something. This passage is part of the "you have heard but" series of lessons Jesus is delivering. Each of these YHHB lessons starts with an action that God had forbidden and Jesus "kicks it up a notch" by talking about the underlying attitudes. So often when we get angry, we neglect the wrongs we have done to others. We focus on the injustice shown to us while ignoring the injustice we have shown others. So as the week comes to a close, who are you angry with? Who is angry with you? Ouch!

Anger and Satan's Opportunities

Ephes. 4:26-27

26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Ephes. 4:31-32

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

• Why do you think God made us with the capacity for anger?
• How does anger give the devil opportunity?
• Why does God want things resolved quickly?
• What other "wrongs" does your anger hang out with?
• How can you be tender-hearted and forgiving along with being angry?
• Why is it easier to get (and stay) mad than to resolve and forgive?
• How do you feel about facing the anger of God?

Harold's Musings:
It has been said that there is little that God created that Satan cannot distort for his schemes. If you think about it, it is sort of intimidating. Food, sex, anger, love, grace, and the list goes on. All of them have been used by Satan in his plans. Anger has the potential to be one of the most dangerous. Murder, domestic violence, child and animal abuse, gossip, slander, factions, and the list goes on. When Satan uses food against me, the hurt is generally limited to me. When he uses anger, others suffer and those hurts are usually slow to heal. Remember: Satan is out to take you down, roaming around looking. You have Jesus on your side. Anger will happen. Sin from the anger does not have to happen.

Teach, not quarrel

2 Tim 2:22-26

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

• According to this passage, how is a Christian supposed to respond when challenged about their belief in Christ?
  
• How is correcting with gentleness different from winning an argument?
• Who has the power to change the heart of your "opponent"?
• Who are you actually struggling against when you are being opposed?
  
• What sort of foolish controversies have you seen cause discord in the church?
• How can a person pursue peace and controversy at the same time?
• How do you feel when you win an argument? When you lose?
• Are the challenges you think you face more about Christ or matters of opinion?

Harold's Musings:
Yet another passage that I don't remember being taught when I was growing up. I grew up in a time and place where debates were prized and defending the faith meant winning the argument even if the loser was hurt in the process. How many churches have been split over foolish controversies? God only knows. As I study God's Word I find new (to me) insights and possible ways to change. When I tell someone what I found and they disagree with my view, deep within me is an ego that wants to prove I am right. Those feelings have little to do with peace, kindness, gentleness, and love. They are about self. Why do I keep bringing up these difficult passages? Maybe so I will do better.

Don't judge, help

Gal. 5:26-6:5

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

• What is the motivation for your temptation to judge others?
• What is your first thought when you see someone sinning?
• What is your first thought when you find out someone is caught in sin?
• What should you do when these situations occur?
  
• Why does God warn you about being tempted when you try to help a fellow Christian in sin?
• How often do you compare your actions to the actions of others, whether good or bad actions?

Harold's Musings:
I wonder what the ratio is between the number of lessons/sermons I have heard about the fruit of the Spirit and this passage that follows it. Probably fairly high. The fruit of the Spirit can be abstract. This passage is nothing but real. It uncovers our pride of being righteous and tells us not to be that way. I have grown much less judgmental about others sins as I realize how often I have failed God. I have a ways to go. It is so easy to be aloof around those who are caught in 'bad' sins, avoiding the person like a Pharisee would. It is so easy to proclaim some Bible verse to them, wielding it like a sword. It is messy to embrace the person, to admit that you have sinned, to tell them to call you any time, to just be there. Lord, forgive us of our arrogance.

Do you have a reason?

1 Peter 3:13-16

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.

• How zealous are you for what is good?
  
• When you are attacked and suffering, how can you not be afraid and troubled?
  
• What does it mean to "in your hearts honor Christ the Lord"? How would this be evidenced?
  
• Is the hope that is in you evident to others around you? If so, how? If not, why not?
• How would you give a reason for the hope you have?
  
• How prepared are you today to make a gentle, respectful defense of your life in Christ?
  
• Why should you be careful in how you discuss Christ with non-Christians?
• How might your response to attacks put your attackers to shame?

Comments:
It is interesting to me how I have heard this passage slashed about over the years. To some, the word defense means to debate, argue, quarrel, or just get angry. Yet the passage ends with the attacker being ashamed for their actions, not licking their wounds. Somehow our desire to do good because Christ is our Lord is to be motivated by the hope that we have. That is the core reason. We are not doing good just to do good. We are doing good because of the hope we have. Isn't that what the passage shows when you read it carefully. My fears are frequently attached to momentary hopelessness. I'm afraid I'm going to miss a plane because there is liitle or no hope of making it to the gate on time. This connection between fear and hope needs to be considered more. I suspect our non-gentle responses are motivated by fear. What do you think?