Bible Study on 1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3

Introduction and Big Ideas: In the third chapter of Peter’s first epistle Peter continues the theme of submitting and suffering during persecution to exalt Christ. Peter picks up where he left of in Chapter 2 by continuing the theme of submission but now how it is applied in family live v.1-7. In this section Peter also gives instruction on the different roles of the husband and wife as well as give instructions on what Godly adornment is. Next Peter calls the Church to love one another and to live in unity v8-12. In v 13-17 Peter explains how a Christian enduring suffering points the world to our hope in Christ. Finally in v18-21 reminds us what Christ’s suffering achieved for us as well as point out how the story of Noah points us to Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.

Submission and the Conduct of Godly women V.1-6
V.1-2 In these verses Peter continues the theme of submission. In chapter 2 we saw how we were to submit to our civil authorities and in the work place (slaves to masters). Now the theme of Godly submission is applied in family. The different roles of men and women in a marriage relationship are seen here. Peter instructs women to be submissive to their husbands to win those who are not obedient to the word. This probably then refers to women be submissive to their unsaved husbands. This is because Peter is trying to motivate their submission in order to be a good testimony to win their husbands to obedience to the word. If the husband was saved then the woman would have a different motivation for submission. It would be to be a picture of Christ and the Church;the woman being the Church and submitting to the headship of Christ (see Eph 5:22-32). Peter’s instruction of wives’ submission to unsaved husbands makes sense in the greater context suffering and submitting to shine Christ to the world which is what Peter has been talking about all throughout the epistle to encourage the persecuted Church.

V.3-4 Next Peter describes how women are to adorn themselves. There is a contrast of physical adornment a spiritual adornment. Peter says do not be only concerned about your outward adornment but more importantly inner adornment of character which is precious in God’s sight. V.4 talks about having an incorruptible beauty. This is a reminder that physical beauty fades and that the less corruptible inner beauty is to be more valued and is less vain (see Prov 31:10-31 especially note v30). Peter says the women are to put on the adornments of a gentle and quiet spirit. 2 Tim 2:8-14 has more on how woman are supposed to adorn themselves as well as their role in the Church.
Application question: Which is more visible to the world your physical adornments or spiritual? When people see you do they see someone trying to attract the attention to their outer beauty or their inner beauty? What does your actions show which is truly more important to you to be seen as precious in the sight of man or God?

V.5-6 Peter then instructs women to follow the example of Godly women who came before them. He uses Sarah as an example.

Instructions to Husbands v.7
v.7 Husband likewise must submit but in a way appropriate to his role as the leader. This includes taking care of the needs of his wife. This is includes being a servant-leader to her like Christ was to the Church. Eph 5:25-31 has more on a how a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church. Interesting to note that the way a husband treats his wife affects his prayers. Peter warns the husband that his prayers could be hindered if he does not honor his wife. It is likely that Peter is referring to the prayers for an unsaved wife and that the husband’s bad testimony could be what hinders his prayers for his wife’s salvation.

Questions for Discussion: Do these passages have any significance on for the Christian single? Why or why not? Should these Biblical marriage roles affect the behavior of the Christian single?

Called to be a Blessing and to Inherit a Blessing
V.8-12 Here Peter encourages the Church to love one another and live in unity. We are to be of one mind, having compassion for one another, love as brothers, being tenderhearted, courteous, Returning blessing for cursing and not evil for evil. This principle is seen all through out scripture such as in the Sermon on the Mount in Matt 5:44. Peter reminds us that were called to love one another because we called to be a blessing and to also to inherit a blessing. He then cites Ps 34:12-16 as evidence of this. This section of the Psalm provokes our motivation to righteousness knowing that the Lord’s eyes are on the righteous and his ears open to their prayers. The Lord blesses those who seeks him in righteousness but opposes those who do evil.
Exercise: Let’s review Psalm 34. Why would Peter use it here to motivate unity and love? How and why does this Psalm motivate us to serve the Lord?
Application Question: What does it look like in a church when the body of believers are loving one another in unity and not repaying evil for evil? What is the significance of Peter telling the Church not to repay evil for evil when it is going through persecution? What can we learn from this?

Suffering for Righteousness vs. Rightly Suffering
V.13-17 Peter here contrast suffering for good and evil. Saying that you are blessed when you suffer for righteousness’ sake (again possibly quoting the Sermon on the Mount Matt 5:10). He also says not to fear suffering for the sake of righteousness quoting Isaiah 8:12 knowing that you do not need to fear people when you fear the Lord. In v.15 says sanctify the Lord in hearts. This is necessary when going through suffering to worship the Lord no matter what you go through. Then he says to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you. How will people know that you have hope is the way you act during suffering! That points to Christ! People will wonder how you endure and Peter says to be ready to answer them with meekness and fear. Finally Peter says do not let your suffering be in vain by suffering for wrong doing.
Application Point: The way we respond to suffering reveals whether we have hope and what our hope is in. If we can still glorify God in our suffering the world will wonder why which gives us an opportunity to share that the hope we have in Christ. Can people see the hope that is in your life? Are you ready to explain it when you have the opportunity?

Christ’s Suffering and Noah’s Ark Pointing to Christ
V.18-21 This is difficult passage to interpret especially v19. In v.18 Peter again points us to value of suffering by reiterating that Christ suffered for our sins and that brought us to God and made us alive by the Spirit. Then v19 talks about preaching to spirits in prison who were disobedient in the days of Noah. John MacArthur offers the explanation that this refers to Christ proclaiming his triumph over the fallen angels with his death. This makes sense because Christ would not be offering salvation to spirits in prison. Then Peter goes on to explain how the story of Noah’s Ark points to Christ. In the story of Noah we have a few being spared God’s judgment being saved through water. This is an antitype (NKJV) to Baptism that saves us from God’s judgment now. This is baptism in Christ not the literally water, Peter makes this extremely clear in v21b. v22 Tells us that Christ in now seated in power at the right hand of God having made everything subject to him. The story of Noah helps emphasizes that Christ’s suffering saved the world from judgment helping us understand the magnitude of the Christ suffering. This all fits nicely with Peter’s theme of enduring suffering to exalt Christ.

Wrap Up and Review: Peter is constantly reminding us of two ‘S’-words we don’t want to hear: submission and suffering. Yet both are unavoidable for the Christian. So will we do each to the glory of God? Will we willing submit when we may not necessarily want to? Will we let God shine in our unsaved world through our submission to authorities? How about our adornment? Are we more concerned with making the outer physical adornment or the inner adornment which is precious in God’s sight? Finally how are we going to react when face with suffering? Are we going to realized we are blessed when we are suffering for the sake of righteousness? Will the world see that we have hope as we go through the troubles of life? And if so will we be prepared to share that hope with them? Let us make the most out of two unpopular words: suffering and submission in order to exalt our a great ‘S’-word; that is the Savior!

Alistair Begg

This is the first time I am writting about my day and not a reflection or Bible study. It so exciting I can't help myself. Today I met ALISTAIR BEGG!!!!! Here the story. I am on Spring Break and did not have to work today so I decided to do some exploring. I needed to go to Christian Book Store but I decided to go to Parkside's Book store since today I had the time and did not want to go to closer one. So I decided to finally go to Parkside. I always wanted to go having heard Truth for Life on the radio.

(this first paragraph that is above I wrote Tuesday the day it happened but the next two I added tonight since I didn't finish the post)

Anyway I go to the store which was amazing in itself. Definately one of the best Christian bookstores Ive been in. They had stuff on Theology, Church History and academic stuff it was not all Christian Living like most Christian bookstores. Anyway as I was leaving in walks Alistair Begg along with 5 other guys in business suits! I was like holy cow! I can't believe it! Its Alistair! Really for a second I did not know what to do! I was star struck. He is definately a man I greatly admire for his Biblical expository skills. Part of me was like I can't meet him I too nervous. Then I am like NO I got to. But I am like what do you say to Alistair Begg? So anyway I walk over and introduce myself and tell him that I listen to him on the radio and appreciate his Biblical teaching. Then Alistair and I had a breif bit of small talk. He was so cool! I must have been a dork. Picture a star struck fan meeting a big celebrety and that was basically me. Anyway he made small talk with me about college basketball(he likes U of Kentucky because UK looks like United Kingdom). Then he ask me a few questions about me like where I am from and what I do etc. He also invited me to the good friday service (which I did end up going to which was awesome) I was really impressed with him and how he made a little bit of time to have small talk with me when he was clearly in the middle of something. What a cool guy! Meeting him was definately the highlight of my Spring break!

It was funny driving home I called all my freinds to let to let them know I met ALISTAIR BEGG!!! Then I had to laugh at myself realizing how star struck and excited I got for meeting a Pastor. It made me wonder how many other people would react that way to meeting a Pastor. Anyway that I guess I can add him to the list of famous preachers and great expositors of God's word that I met. The list so far is Al Mohler, Alistair Begg, Dave Mullins, Chris Thornesberry, and Keith Missel.

Bible Study on 1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2

Introduction and Big Ideas: Peter having redirected the persecuted church’s attention back on the greatness of their salvation in Chapter one now instructs them on how to live it out. In chapter 2 Peter reminds them that they are a holy and separated people. Since they are holy they are to act that way. Peter shows them that obedience is a way to show Godliness. Important things to remember from this chapter are growth and maturation through the word of God v.2. We are a holy people v.4-12. We are to submit as did Christ v.13-25.

V.1-3 Peter tells us to grow by desiring the pure milk of the word that we may grow by it. He also says to put away sin (malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander)
Application: To grow as believers we need God’s word just as a babe needs milk. As well as taking in milk to grow we need to get rid of the things that may stunt our growth. Like in Peter’s list of sins to put away. Think Milk does the body good so does the word our soul. Smoking will stunt a teen’s growth so will sin our spiritual growth. Got Milk?
Other verses to look at when consider the extreme importance of scripture to a believer are: Psalm 1, Psalm 19:7-9, 2 Tim 3:16,17 and Heb 4:12

V.4-8 Christ is the living stone. He was rejected by men but accepted by us and is our corner stone and we are like him. See Eph 2:40. The stone that is Christ causes two reactions either it will be a stumbling block to those who do not believe but to those who believe in it will not be put to shame. In this section Peter reminds us that we are holy and separate by our reaction to stone. He also says that we are like the like the living stone built together for a spiritual house to be a holy nation. Peter here sharply contrast us from unbelievers because we are living stones placed on top of the Cornerstone fitted together for a temple to be a holy priesthood in. The unbeliever on the other hand is not joined together with the Cornerstone but stumbles because of it. In v6 Peter is citing Isaiah 28:16 and in v7 he is citing Ps 118:22. This contrasts the holiness of the believer to the sinfulness of the unbeliever and motivates us to as believers to live holy so that contrast is seen in the world.

V.9-10 These 2 verses describe how we are changed people. We were changed by God’s selection of us and his mercy given to us. We are a chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, a people for God’s procession. All these new things that we are in Christ all have the clear Old Testament parallels to what Israel was to be to God. All this that we might be witnesses (“proclaim the excellencies of him who called you”).

V.11-12 These 2 verses are the application last two. Since we are holy nation and separated people we are supposed to act like it. We are not to live by the flesh like the Gentiles but make our good deeds known among the unbelievers that they may glorify God. Also see Matt 5:14-16

This next section of the focuses on submitting from 1 Peter 2:13-17 focuses submitting to the government. 1 Peter 2: 18-25 focus on slaves to their masters and 1 Peter 3:1-7 spouses submitting: Wives to husbands and husbands to Christ. Submission allows us to be a humble suffering servant like Christ (see Isaiah 53 and Phil 2) It also allows to be blameless to the world and its authorities allowing us a better witness.

V.13-17 Here Peter tells us for the Lord’s sake to be subject to human institutions in every level of government. See Romans 13:1-7. We do this knowing their authority comes from God. In our submission to the government silences would-be critics. Keep in mind Peter is telling them this in light of Roman persecution. In v16 we have the reminder to limit our liberty for the purpose of being a greater servant. In v17 we have 4 short instructions to follow to help achieve this:
1. honor everybody
2. Love the brotherhood
3. Fear God
4. honor the Emperor (keep in mind he is persecuting them)

V.18-25 Now the idea of submission is applied to slaves to their masters. This is a hard thing to do but Peter reminds us this is what we have been called to do. He also says it is no credit to one who sins but it is a gracious thing to suffer unjustly in the sight of God. Peter says this what Christ himself did when he died for our sins when he himself was completely innocent (see 2 Cor 5:21). Here Peter is also quoting heavily from Isaiah 53 describing how Christ was suffering servant. Submitting gives us the opportunity to be Christ-like when Christ who did not need to submit to anyone ( 1. He is God and sovereign over everything and 2.was sinless so his submission to suffering was not for his own punishment). Submissive suffering spotlights the special super Savior. (a little alliteration to help us remember what submission can do).

Wrap Up and Review: 1 Peter 2 calls us to holy living to glorify God and letting that shine in an unsaved world. This chapter gives us 3 things do to be the type of Christians that affect a lost world: 1) In order to do that we need to be a growing believer we need to avoid sin and to be taking in the milk of the word. Stop and check yourself. How often are you taking in scripture? Remember milk does the body good! It is something we need daily to have a strong spiritual body. 2) Also remember we are holy and set apart and therefore need look and act like we are. Can those around us tell we are a holy, royal, priesthood? 3) Lastly, as Savior submitted, so we are to submit to point to our Savoir and to be blameless in the world. Can people see that when we are purposely limiting our freedom it is because we are obeying God and not man? Applying these three truths will help mature us as believers, bring glory to God, and help us shine in the darkness of a lost world.

Standing Outside the FIre

“Life is not tried, it is merely survived If you're standing outside the fire”
-Garth Brooks

I love the Bible and like Country Music! And if you are anything like me you think about the spiritual implications of Country Music!

I hear these lyrics by Garth Brooks every now and then and it always makes me think of my walk with God.

This chorus reminds me of the truth that walking with God is not always easy. But when we see him the most glorified is when are going through the hardest things. And this scripture comes to mind: 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Fire hurts! It burns and its hott! Hotter than John dressed like a cowboy! But look what its does! It shows you the genuineness of your faith! And it may be found to result in the praise and glory and honor and at the revelation of Jesus Christ. That’s something to get fired up about! Truly life is not tried its merely survived standing out side the fire.

But fire hurts…it also takes faith to jump in it. So we tend to avoid it. Taking the risk of going through the fire scares us. We are afraid we are going to get burned! So we tend to play it safe. It kinda makes sense too. Who wants to get burned? But is that the way you want to live your life? Afraid of the heat? When you see Jesus do want to hear: “ Adequate job, fair and mediocre servant. You played it safe.” I don’t think so. We only get one shot at this and I do not want to get by with a C because I stood outside the fire to save myself some burning.

But when life gets tough what do we do? We often run but then we miss out on opportunity to glorify God. But if we endure we have a much greater reward. Speaking of Fire lets go to our old friends in the Veggie tales. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, talk about being thrown into the fire!(Dan 3) Well we know the story. They were thrown into Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace for refusing to worship the Golden Image. But what happened? They were not consumed! Not only that they had an encounter with God in the furnace! And God was glorified in a pagan nation!

Guess what? Shadrach, Meshach and Abedengo are not the only ones who get to experience God in the fire. In my own life I know the fire has often been a meeting place with God. That’s where we experience his glory the most and take him for granted the least. Then all who around you seeing how you endure the fire will also like Nebuchadnezzar also realize it was the hand of your God that brought you through! And just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abedengo we also will not be consumed by the flames of life when we have our faith in the God who will deliver us. Isaiah 43:2,3 confirms this :When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

So are you ready to see God glorified in a new way in your life? Fight the fear of flames with Faith and turn up the heat! When if comes to God don’t sell yourself short and be left out in the cold.

Garth Brooks was right when he said:
“Life is not tried, it is merely survived If you're standing outside the fire”

Bible Study on 1 Peter

Hey to Anyone in Kent area you should really come to this cool Bible at Mondays 7PM in the Student Center.

Heres the the outline I made for the Bible Study we did on 1Peter1. If you can not go then just enjoy the outline. Oh yeah and feel free to pray for it that it would be a good witness to the campus. Anyway here it is:

1 Peter1

Rejoicing In Suffering!

V 1,2 Peters’s greeting and audience. Audience: persecuted gentile believers. Probably during Nero’s persecution
Note: stress of election in opening. Foreknowledge and to the elect.

V3-9 Rejoicing Salvation during and though persecution.

V3-5 Reasons to rejoice
We have a inheritance from God’s mercy that is
Imperishable -
Incorruptiable-
Undefiled-
Does not fade away-

6-9 We have trials with a purpose!
V7 Purpose of our trials

V 10-12 We Have An Amazing and Special Salvation!
we live in a time were we see what salvation is. This is a blessing not even the old testament prophets fully new though they wanted to.
-Why does Peter mention this here?

V 13-20 In Light of this Great Salvation don’t Be Discouraged but Be Holy!
In this section Peter tells though we suffer in light of our salvation we should not revert to our pagan life style but continue in holiness and glorify God.
Application Points:
1 Be prepared for action
2 be sober minded
3 set hope on the grace that is to be revealed to us
4 Be holy as God is holy

V22-25 Born Again Not of Perishable Seed But of Eternal Seed!
V22 Love one another our of a pure heart since:
Ours salvation is built on the living, eternal, word of God. We have a secure salvation that enables us to love, be holy, and rejoice.

The Blessing : 1 Peter 1 shows us that through persecution, trials, and sufferings we have reason to praise Christ because of our salvation. We also know our sufferings are temporary and have a purpose.

Studying Suffering

Suppose a Christian could be a perfect Christian would they still suffer?
See 2 Tim 3:12, 1 Peter 4:16, Luke 9:23 taking up your cross hurts
Matthew 10:16-24 serving Jesus may bring suffering
Heb 11:36-39 suffering will come to the faithful

The Good news In Suffering

-Phil 3:10
Suffering helps us identify with Christ

-2 Cor 12:7-10
Reveals the sufficiency of God’s Grace and the Power of Christ

-1Peter 1:7
Reveals genuineness of faith

-James 1:2-5
produces steadfastness, gives wisdom?

-2 Cor 1:3-7
helps us be prepared to minister to others who suffer like us

-1 Cor 4:7-12
The life of Christ is seen

Suffering is Temporary!!!!!!!
1Peter 1:6 a little while
2Cor4:17 our afflictions are slight and momentary

Other thoughts:
Suffering is not outside God’s sovereignty
Romans 8:28

Finals Thoughts:
As Fire refines gold so does suffering our faith. Though suffering hurts, it is very short compared to eternity. Suffering provides an opportunity to glorify God through faithfulness resulting in a closer walk with Christ, and matures us and prepares us to serve others. Suffering will come but will take the opportunity to learn from it and glorify God in it or will it be wasted on us in lack of faithfulness?

My Books

What are my 4 books you might be wondering? Well, I hope this is review but I am happy to tell you and give you a short discription.

Random Theology
-This is will be my first book Its Random Theology as opposed to systematic theology. The main feature of this book is my theological and biblical research, obsevation, interpretation, and application of the precurse curse which is found in Gen2:18. Other chapter include: So we are going to marry a lamb, The Errors of Despensationalism, and My Sixth Point of Calvinism.

Kids Are Stupid
-In this book I recall my experiances in my three years of Counseling at a Christion summer camp. I try to understand why kids think its logical to see if an electric fence is on by touching it and how do kids mistake a bunny for a Coytote.

The Interpretations of What Girls Say and What It Really Means
-This book obviosly is very theoretical. But I have found that when girls say something it often has nothing to do with its common meaning. For example I explain why "freind" is the worst "f-word" in the book.

My Refections on Life
-This is my newest book. It also doubles as my first country album. It has my general observations and reflections on the vanity and frustrations of life. Think Toby Keith meets Solomon's Ecclesiastes. The most interesting chapter and first number 1 single is "When A Persian Goes Country You Know Something Aint Right. Its Awesome!" The tittle of the one may get shortened to the "Balad of a Persian Cowboy."

Ok there are my 4 books. So tell me which you want to know more about? Just leave a post and what ever gets the most interest I will post an except from that book.

My books will some day will be found at all good book stores and most bad ones too. Oh yeah and I am pretty sure the precurse curse is what Ill do my disertation on. It will also probably make an appearance in my 3rd book as well as first.