Key Events in the Life of Peter — Martyred in Rome

Yesterday evening the Life group which my wife and I host completed our study of the life of Peter by considering the following.

Peter Between Jerusalem and Rome

Luke’s account of Peter’s miraculous escape from prison ends with his departing from Jerusalem and going to another place (Acts 12:17), and the only subsequent mention in Acts of Peter’s being in Jerusalem is when he spoke at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:7-11). Where was Peter between the two events and after the Council of Jerusalem? The only place that we know Peter was between the two events is Antioch in Syria where Paul confronted him for withdrawing from eating with Gentiles when representatives of James arrived (Galatians 2:11-14), and the only places which the Bible indicates that Peter was after the Council of Jerusalem are:

– Corinth in modern Greece, Paul’s noting that some members of the church there said that they followed Cephas or Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12)
– the five areas in modern Turkey to which Peter addressed 1 Peter (1 Peter 1:1)
– Rome, which most Bible scholars think Peter was referring to when he spoke of writing 1 Peter from Babylon (1 Peter 5:13)

Thus Peter seems to have been just as active a witness for Jesus Christ after he left Jerusalem following his escape from prison as he had been before that.

Peter’s Martyrdom

Jesus hinted that Peter would be martyred when he told him in their last recorded conversation, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18, ESV).

According to tradition Peter was crucified in Rome shortly after the great fire of Rome in 64 A.D. for which the emperor (Nero) blamed the Christians. The strongest evidence to support this tradition is found in Clement of Rome’s First Letter to the Corinthians, which was written about 96 A.D.:

By reason of jealousy and envy the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church were persecuted, and contended even unto death…. There was Peter who by reason of unrighteous jealousy endured not one [or two] but many labors, and thus having borne his testimony went to his appointed place of glory. (5:2-4)
Unto these men of holy lives [Peter and Paul] was gathered a vast multitude of the elect, who through many indignities and tortures, being the victims of jealousy, set a brave example among ourselves. (6:1)

According to the apocryphal Acts of Peter, written about 200 A.D., Peter started to leave Rome in order to escape death but met Jesus entering the city:

And when he saw him, he said: Lord, whither goest thou thus (or here)? And the Lord said unto him: I go into Rome to be crucified. And Peter said unto him: Lord, art thou (being) crucified again? He said unto him: Yea, Peter, I am (being) crucified again. And Peter came to himself: and having beheld the Lord ascending up into heaven, he returned to Rome, rejoicing, and glorifying the Lord, for that he said: I am being crucified: the which was about to befall Peter. (XXXV)

The Acts of Peter also records Peter as telling his executioners to crucify him head-downwards:

“I beseech you the executioners, crucify me thus, with the head downward and not otherwise” (XXXVII).

Tradition says that this was because he felt that he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus was.

Also according to tradition Peter was buried on Vatican Hill. In the 1950s bones were found in a grave underneath the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, and in the 1960s some were identified as being from a 60-70-year-old first-century man. In 1968 Pope Paul VI announced them to most likely be relics of Peter, but others (including the archaeologist who headed the excavation of what is known as Saint Peter’s Tomb) are not convinced.

Online Resources

(General Articles on Peter)
– https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Peter-the-Apostle
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter

(Sources of Quotations in Article)
– http://wwvv.earlychristianwritings.com/text/lclement-lightfoot.htm
– http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/actspeter.html

Clement was an early bishop of Rome and his letter to the Corinthians can be relied upon as a
source of history and doctrine. Acts of Peter was written much later and can’t be relied upon, but the two incidents cited above from Acts of Peter are widely accepted.

1 Peter 5

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 5. Our study of it consisted of our reading the passage and discussing the following questions: Chapter Five Review Questions 2-15 in Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/) and DIG questions 2-4 and REFLECT questions 2-3 on 1 Peter 5 in The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988). Mark Copeland gives permission to users of the website to use the material there freely, and Serendipity House gave me permission to reproduce material from it for small group use.

1 Peter 5:1-14 (ESV)

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, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; 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. 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. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

2) How does Peter identify himself as he exhorts the elders? (1)
Peter identifies himself as a fellow elder, a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed. “Elders” were not the older people in the church, but the leaders of the church. “A witness of the sufferings of Christ’ more likely refers to one who testifies to and participates in the sufferings of Christ rather than to an eyewitness of those sufferings. “A partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed” may refer to Peter’s witnessing the transfiguration of Jesus as well as to his sharing the glory which all Christians share (4:14) and which will be fully revealed in the end.
3) What is the duty of the elders? (2)
The duty of the elders is to shepherd the flock of God that is among them. In verses 3-4 Peter lists specific instances of what shepherding ought to involve and not involve.
4) How were they to serve as elders? (3-4)
As elders they were to serve as overseers, not under compulsion but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, and not as lords but as examples. Scot McKnight applies Peter’s injunction to today’s pastors in his commentary on 1 Peter in Zondervan’s The NIV Application Commentary series (pages 268-274).
5) What reward can elders look forward to when the Chief Shepherd appears? (5)
The elders can look forward to receiving the crown of glory that will never fade away when the Chief Shepherd appears. The “crown” is the glory of being accepted by God rather than a physical crown.
6) What twofold duty is enjoined upon those who are younger? (5)
Those who are younger are to are enjoined to be subject to the elders and to be clothed with humility toward one another. Although some versions (including NASB, NIV, and NLT) have “young(er) men,” Peter was probably addressing all younger members of the house churches.
7) What were they commanded to do in relation to God? (6-7)
They were commanded to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and to cast all their anxieties on Him.
8) Why were they to do this? (6-7)
They were to do this so that God might exalt them in due time and because He cares for them. Although “in due time” may be general (in God’s own timing), more likely it refers to God’s vindication of His people in the final day of salvation as in 1:5, 7, 13, and 2:12.
9) Who is their adversary? What is he doing? (8)
Their adversary is the devil, who is prowling about like a lion seeking someone to devour.
10) What should they do in regards to their adversary? (8-9)
In regards to their adversary they should be sober-minded and watchful and resist him, standing firm in the faith.
11) What should encourage them in their suffering? (9-10)
What should encourage them in the faith is knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by their brothers throughout the world and that after they have suffered a little while God will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish them.
12) By whom has Peter penned this epistle? (12)
Peter penned 1 Peter by Silvanus (Silas), a faithful brother. Although this may mean that he helped Peter write 1 Peter, it may just mean that he was the one who delivered the letter.
13) What has been Peter’s purpose in writing this epistle? (12)
Peter’s purpose in writing 1 Peter was exhort them and to testify that that this is the true grace of God.
14) Who sends them greetings? (13)
“She who is in Babylon,” whom Peter says is chosen with them, and Mark, whom Peter describes as his son, send them greetings. “She who is in Babylon” probably refers to the church in Rome.
15) What final charge does Peter give? What final prayer? (14)
Peter charges them to greet one another with a kiss of love and prays, “Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups Questions

DIG, 2. What connections do you see between submissiveness, humility, and anxiety? What anxieties do people face? What would replace their fears as they followed verses 6-7?
If people would summit themselves to and be humble toward God, He would ease their anxiety and bring them peace.
DIG, 3. What sources of opposition has Peter spoken of already (2:12, 13-14, 18; 3:1, 16; 4:3-4)? How do these relate to verse 8 here?
Peter has already spoken of unbelievers making false accusations against them, unbelieving masters being harsh to their Christian slaves, unbelieving husbands opposing the faith of their Christian wives, and their being verbally abused for not sharing in activities associated with pagan worship. Verse 8 suggests that Satan is behind these activities.
DIG, 4. Given that Babylon was one of the main enemies of Israel in the OT and that Peter is writing from Rome, what does he mean by verse 13?
In verse 13 Peter says that the church in Rome sends greetings to the recipients of the letter.
REFLECT, 2. What leadership responsibilities do you have? (We all have some!) How do you score on Peter’s leadership test? How can you improve your score?
REFLECT, 3. In your life, where is the “lion” (v.8): (a) Just looking at you? (b) Nibbling at your heels? (c) Chewing you up? How can your group help you resist him? What in this letter has helped?

1 Peter 4:12-19

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 4:12-19. Our study of it consisted of our reading the passage and discussing the following questions: Chapter Four Review Questions 10-17 in Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/) and DIG question 1 and REFLECT question 3 on 1 Peter 4:12-19 in Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988). Mark Copeland gives permission to users of the website to use the material there freely, and Serendipity House gave me permission to reproduce material from it for small group use.

1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

10) What should be our reactions to any fiery trial that may come our way? (12-13)
We should not be surprised by any fiery trial that comes our way but should rejoice that we are sharing Christ’s sufferings.
11) What do those who suffer for Christ have to look forward to? (13)
Those who suffer for Christ can look forward to being glad and rejoicing when his glory is revealed.
12) Why is one who suffers for Christ blessed? (14)
One who suffers for Christ is blessed because the glorious and divine Holy Spirit will rest upon him or her.
13) For what reasons should a Christian not suffer? (15)
A Christian should not suffer as a murderer, a thief, a doer of any other kind of evil, or as busybody in other people’s matters.
14) How should one react if they suffer as a Christian? (16)
If a person suffers as a Christian, he or she should not be ashamed but should glorify God as a Christian (or in the name of Christ, it’s being unclear whether “that name” refers to “Christian” or “Christ”).
15) Upon whom does the judgment of God begin? Who will face the greater judgment? (17)
The judgment of God begins with the household of God. Those who do not obey the Gospel will face greater judgment.
16) Who will be “scarcely saved”? (18)
The righteous will be “scarcely saved.” (In our discussion of how this could be, I shared what I could remember of what one of my commentaries said about the difficulties in their being saved: “the difficulty of forming a plan of salvation…the difficulty of bringing those who are saved to a willingness to accept of salvation…the difficulty of keeping them from falling away amidst the temptations and allurements of the world…the difficulty of rescuing them from the great enemy of souls” [Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1962 reprint, page 1432].)
17) What should those who suffer according to the will of God do? (19)
Those who suffer according to the will of God should entrust their souls to God, their faithful Creator, and to doing good.

The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups Questions

DIG, 1. In what sense is the Christian’s sufferings part of Christ’s sufferings? Why should the Christian find joy in this?
When Christians suffer for being Christians, they can feel an identity with Christ in his suffering. They should find joy in this both because they can look forward to rejoicing when his glory is revealed and because their suffering is evidence that they belong to him.
REFLECT, 3. We Christians are not persecuted a great deal by our government. What form, then, does your suffering for Christ take? Has such suffering purified, changed, molded, or matured you? How?
Although we agreed that we Christians are not persecuted a great deal by our government, we noted that our present Prime Minister discriminated against us last year by not allowing churches to receive assistance in providing students with summer work unless they professed agreement with government policies on abortion, etc. Our suffering for Christ mainly takes the form of ridicule of our beliefs. The rest of the question is personal.

1 Peter 4:1-11

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 4:1-11. Our study of it consisted of our reading 1 Peter 4:1-11 and discussing the questions asked about it in Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988). Although I quote from the ESV throughout the article, we used the NIV in our study and the Executable Outlines questions given below are based on the KJV. Serendipity House gave me permission to reproduce material from Serendipity Bible for Study Groups for small group use, and Mark Copeland gives permission to users of the Executable Outlines website (http://executableoutlines.com/) to use material from it freely.

1 Peter 4:1-11

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, 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.
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. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We were originally scheduled to discuss Review Questions 2-9 on 1 Peter 4 in Executable Outlines and DIG question 1 and REFLECT question 2 on 1 Peter 4:1-11 in Serendipity Bible for Study Groups. However I let the group know ahead of time that instead we would discuss all of the Serendipity Bible questions on 1 Peter 4:1-11. Below are all the questions that we were scheduled to discuss and that we actually discussed and what I can remember of what we said in discussing the Serendipity Bible DIG questions.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

2) What two reasons are given for us to have the “mind of Christ” regarding suffering? (1)
3) How should one live in whatever time they have left in the flesh? (2)
4) What sins are mentioned as being “the will of the Gentiles”? (3)
5) How do people in the world react when you no longer do such things? (4)
6) To whom shall they have to answer? (5)
7) Why was the gospel preached to those who are dead? (6)
8) In view of the end of all things being at hand, how should we live? (7-10)
9) How should one speak? How should one serve? Why? (11)

The Serendipity Bible for Study Groups Questions

OPEN. Are you more of a doer, thinker, lover, pray-er, or sleeper?
DIG, 1. Imagine a specific compromising situation that Peter’s readers (and you) may be encountering: What accusations are being made? What should be the focus of the readers’ attention, instead?
Peter’s readers may have been accused of not being sociable or of various crimes (such as cannibalism) because they no longer participated in the activities listed in verse 3. Peter H. Davids says that the last activity listed, lawless idolatry, gives not just another activity but also the context in which the others took place. “Family religious celebrations, guild feasts…, and civic festal days might all include such things’ taking place in the temples of the various divinities.… The Jews had long noted and detested this connection of vice with idolatry…, but it was not an issue with them since they were considered a colony of a foreign nation within the Greek cities and so were permitted to follow their own customs and laws. These Christians, on the other hand, had been part of the culture, so their nonparticipation was a change in behavior and thus quite noticeable” (First Epistle of Peter, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1990, page 151). They should focus their attention on doing God’s will instead.
DIG, 2. How are the realities of judgment (vv.5-7) and Christ’s glory (v.11) to influence our daily behavior?
Because the final judgment is imminent we should be “self-controlled and sober-minded” so that we will be effective in prayer.
DIG, 3. What does this redemptive love look like in action (vv. 8-11)? How would this benefit suffering people?
Redemptive love involves loving one another, being hospitable (providing board and lodging to travelling Christians), and using their gifts (including preaching/teaching and serving) to minister to others.
REFLECT, 1. What thinking hinders your prayer life? Conversely, what helps?
REFLECT, 2. Which commands in vv. 7-11 do you need to pay special attention to this week?
REFLECT, 3. What is one gift that you think each group member has? How could that gift be used to show love?

1 Peter 3:8-22

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 3:8-22 guided by Peter Chapter Three Review Questions 9-23 in Mark Copeland’s Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/).

1 Peter 3:8-22

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.”

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.
18 For Christ also suffered 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 he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because 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.

I indented verses 10-12 to show that they are a quotation, of Psalm 34:12-16. Although as usual I quoted from the ESV throughout the article, the questions are based on the KJV and we used the NIV in our study.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

Mark Copeland gives permission to users of Executable Outlines to use the material in it freely.

9) What duties do we as brethren have to one another? (8)
Brethern are to be like-minded, to be sympathetic, to love one another, and to be tenderhearted and humble.
10) How are we to respond when mistreated by brethren? Why? (9)
When mistreated by brethern, we are to respond with blessing so that we may inherit a blessing. This echoes what Jesus said in Luke 6:27-28, ““But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
11) What proscription is offered for those who would love life and see good days? (10-11)
Those who would love life and see good days should keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech and should turn from evil and do good.
12) What is said of the righteous? Of those who do evil? (12)
Of the righteous it is said that the eyes of the Lord are on them and His ears are attentive to their prayers, and of those who do evil it is said that the face of the Lord is against them.
13) What is the general principle regarding persecution? (13)
If you do good, you will not be harmed. We recognized that although this is a general rule, Christians are sometimes persecuted despite their doing good.
14) What is said of those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake? (14)
Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are said to be blessed. [This echoes what Jesus said in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Peter could be referring to a blessing now or in the end time.]
15) How should one prepare themselves for possible persecution? (15-16)
We should prepare ourselves for possible persecution by honouring Christ as Lord in our hearts, by being ready to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give a reason for our hope, and by having a good conscience.
16) If we maintain good conduct, what will happen to those who defame and revile us? (16)
If we maintain good conduct, those who defame and revile us will be ashamed both because our good conduct shows that their accusations are groundless and in the coming judgment.
17) If we suffer according to God’s will, what is better? (17)
If it is God’s will, it is better for us to suffer for doing good than to suffer for doing evil.
18) Who also suffered for righteousness’ sake? For what reason? (18)
Christ suffered for our sins that he might bring us to God.
19) Though put to death in the flesh, what was He able to do by the Spirit? (18-19)
Though Christ was put to death in the flesh, he was able by the Spirit to preach to “the spirits in prison.”
20) When were such “spirits” disobedient? (20)
These “spirits” were disobedient in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. We considered different interpretations of what incident verses 19-20 refer to: Christ’s preaching through Noah to the wicked people of his time; Christ’s preaching between his death and resurrection in the place where fallen angels are imprisoned to the angels who married human women in Noah’s time (Genesis 6:2; 2 Peter 2:4); and Christ’s preaching between his death and resurrection in the place where unbelievers are imprisoned giving them a second chance for salvation.
21) Of what is the salvation of eight souls through water a “type”? (21)
The salvation of Noah and his family through water is a type of baptism.
22) How does baptism not save us? How does it save us? (21)
Baptism doesn’t save us by the washing of dirt from the body. It saves us as the appeal of a good conscience to God through the resurrection of Jesus. We considered whether baptism is necessary for salvation and its importance if it isn’t necessary.
3) What was the final outcome of Jesus who suffered for righteousness’ sake? (22)
The final outcome for Jesus is that he has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand and that angels, authorities, and powers have been made subject to him.

1 Peter 3:1-7

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 3:1-7. Our study of it consisted of my commenting on the status of wives among Jews and among Gentiles in Peter’s day, our reading 1 Peter 2:13-3:7, our discussing 1 Peter Chapter Three Review Questions 2-8 in Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/), and our reading Ephesians 5:21-33 and comparing Paul’s advice to husbands and wives with Peter’s advice to them.

Status of Wives in Peter’s Day

I read and commented on the introduction to 1 Peter 3:1-7 in the LifeChange study guide to 1 Peter (Colorado Springs, CO: NacPress, 1986, pages 73-74). According to it women were under their husbands’ authority in both Jewish and Roman law but even more so under the latter, Jewish law letting wives own property and setting limits on divorce, physical abuse, and adultery by husbands bur Roman law not doing so. It also notes that wives usually followed the religion of their husbands but that, in contrast to the practice among Jews, a pagan husband often allowed his wife to practice her own religion as well.

1 Peter 3:1-7 (ESV)

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.

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 of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

Mark Copeland gives permission to users of Executable Outlines to use the material in it freely.

2) What are wives told to be in regards to their husbands? Why? (1)
Wives are told to be submissive to their husbands so that if their husbands aren’t Christians the wives’ behaviour might win them to Christ.
3) What does Peter hope the unbelieving husbands will observe in their wives? (2)
Peter hoped that the unbelieving husbands would observe reverence toward God and purity in their wives.
4) What should not be the focus of their adornment? (3)
The focus of their adornment should not be external: arranging the hair, wearing gold jewelry, and wearing fine clothes. We agreed that Peter didn’t forbid these but just discouraged their becoming the focus of the wives’ adornment.
5) What should be the focus of their adornment (4)
The focus of their adornment should be their inner self, “the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.”
6) What other women so adorned themselves and were submissive to their husbands? (5-6)
Holy women of God in the past who trusted in God, specifically Sarah, adorned themselves by submitting to their husbands. We agreed that Sarah’s referring to Abraham as her lord or master in Genesis 18:12 doesn’t mean that women have to address their husbands as lord or master.
7) How are husbands to treat their wives? (7)
Husbands are to treat their wives with understanding and to show respect to them because of their being physically weaker and being fellow-Christians.
8) Why should husbands treat their wives so kindly? (7)
Husbands should treat their wives so kindly so that their prayers not be hindered. We understood their prayers to be hindered to refer both to their attitude when praying and to God’s attitude toward their prayers.

The Serendipity Bible for Study Groups Questions

We were scheduled to discuss the following questions on 1 Peter 3:1-7 from Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988) except for DIG, 2, my having permission from Serendipity House to reproduce material from it for small group use. but didn’t. However I’m including them here for your consideration. Feel free to share your answers to the questions here.

DIG, 1: How is submission here similar in purpose to that in 2:13-15? What qualities are singled out? What does Sarah’s example add?
DIG, 2: In what way are husbands to treat their wives?
REFLECT, 1: Married or not, what qualities here would you like to build into your friendships with the opposite sex?
REFLECT, 2: What would a marriage built on mutual submission actually look like?
REFLECT, 3: Is Peter advocating that spouses stay in cruel situations? Why or why not?

Peter and Paul on Wives and Husbands

We compared what Peter told wives and husbands here to what Paul said to them in Ephesians 5:22-33. We noted that Peter spoke mainly to wives but Paul spoke mainly to husbands and that Peter’s emphasis was practical but Paul’s emphasis was theological. We speculated on why the difference, attributing them to background and marital status, Peter’s having been a working man (a fisherman) and married but Paul’s having been a rabbi and unmarried. I’d appreciate your sharing here your thoughts on why the difference.

1 Peter 2:11-25

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 2:11-25. Our study of it consisted of our reading the passage and discussing the following questions: Chapter Two Review Questions 11-25 in Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/) and DIG questions 1-3 and REFLECT questions 1-3 on 1 Peter 2:13-25 in Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988). Mark Copeland gives permission to users of the website to use the material there freely, and Serendipity House gave me permission to reproduce material from it for small group use.

1 Peter 2:11-25 (ESV)

11 Beloved, I urge you has 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.

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor 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 of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

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. 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.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

11) What is our duty as sojourners and pilgrims in this world? Why? (11-12)
Our duty as sojourners and pilgrims in this world is “to abstain from the passions of the flesh [and to] keep [our] conduct among [unbelievers] honorable” so that they will glorify God on the “day of visitation,” which we understood to be the day of judgment. “Beloved” marks the beginning of a new section in the letter; it also occurs in 4:12. Copeland views 2:11-12 as expressing the theme of 1 Peter.
12) What is our duty towards the governments of men? Why?
We are to “be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution” so that our doing good will “put to silence the ignorance of foolish people,” which may refer to accusations that unbelievers might ignorantly make about Christians, which in Peter’s day included such charges as that they practised cannibalism when they celebrated the Lord’s Supper. We also read what Paul wrote on submission to governing authorities in Romans 13:1-7 and noted that there are exceptions as Peter and the apostles told the Sanhedrin in Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than men.”
13) How are we to use our freedom in Christ? (16)
We are to use our freedom in Christ “as servants of God” and not “as a cover-up for evil.” Being free in Christ doesn’t license us to do as we please.
14) What four admonitions summarize our duties to others? (17)
“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” We are to respect everyone, but to love fellow-Christians. We are to respect rulers, but to reverence God.
15) What is the duty of servants to their masters? (18)
Servants are to submit themselves to their masters with respect. We also read what Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians on this (Ephesians 6:5-8). I suggested that Peter’s and Paul’s advice to servants/slaves applies to employees’ relationship to employers today.
16) What is commendable before God? (19-20)
It is commendable before God if a person endures suffering though doing good because he is mindful of God.
17) To what have we been called? (21)
We have been called to follow in the steps of Christ, who suffered for us.
18) How did Jesus suffer wrongly and bear it patiently? (22-23)
“When [Jesus] was reviled, he did not revile in return [and] when he suffered, he did not threaten” because he entrusted himself to God who judges justly.
20) What good did Jesus accomplish by suffering such abuse? (24-25)
Jesus bore our sins on the cross so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.

Serendipity Bible for Study Groups Questions

DIG, 1.With government persecution, why is submission to authority a concern for Peter (vv. 12-14)?
Submission to authority is a concern to Peter because he fears believers might retaliate when persecuted and cause disrespect towards themselves and God.
DIG, 2. What does Peter mean by “submit” in this context? What equivalent verbs do you see?
“Submit” means to respect.
DIG, 3. How does their relationship with God influence their regard for human authority?
Their relationship with God should influence them to respect human authority because it is God’s will that they respect human authority
REFLECT, 1. What “authorities” are over you? How do you apply verses 16-17 in those relationships?
We included both secular and religious authorities in discussing this question.
REFLECT, 2. Peter wrote to a people who had no civil or employee rights. How would his advice be different to people in a country (or position) where their legal rights were being violated by authority gone bad (see Ac 16:35-37)?
We read Acts 16:35-37 before discussing this question.
REFLECT, 3. How could Jesus’ example help you face hardships you can’t change? How do yoy know when to submit and when to resist?
This is a personal question.

1 Peter 2:4-10

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 2:4-10. Our study of it consisted of our reading the passage and discussing the following questions: Chapter Two Review Questions 5-10 in Mark Copeland’s Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/) and DIG question 1 and REFLECT question 3 on 1 Peter 2:4-12 in The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988). Mark Copeland gives permission to users of the website to use the material there freely, and Serendipity House gave me permission to reproduce material from it for small group use.

1 Peter 2:4-10 (ESV)

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. 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,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
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.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

5) What kind of stone is used to describe Jesus? (4)
Jesus is described as “a living stone” and as “rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.” He is solid like a stone and thus good for building on, and he is living rather than inanimate or dead. Also men rejected and crucified him, but God views him as precious and raised him from the grave.
6) What two metaphors are used to describe Christians? (5)
Two metaphors used to describe Christians are “living stones, being built up as a spiritual house” and “a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” As living stones Christians form a temple in which God can dwell as He did in the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament. As priests they offer sacrifices to God as priests did in the Old Testament. We discussed Romans 12:1, Philippians 4:18, and Hebrews 13:15-16 in considering what “spiritual sacrifices” are.
7) What prophecy foretells the laying of a chief cornerstone in Zion? (6)
Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation.”
8) What is Jesus to those who believe in Him? To those who do not believe? (6-8)
Jesus is “a cornerstone chosen and precious” to those who believe in him and “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense” to those who do not believe. We discussed how Jesus is a cornerstone to believers and how he is a stone of stumbling to unbelievers.
9) What is the appointed end of those who do not believe and are disobedient? (8)
The destined end of those who are disobedient to the message is to stumble. I noted that some Bible scholars believe that “what they are destined for” is to disobey the message and stumble.
10) How are Christians described by Peter? What is their duty? Why? (9-10)
Christians are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession”; we discussed the meaning of each of the terms. Their duty is to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light.” The reason is that “[they] are God’s people [now that they] have received mercy.”

The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups Questions

DIG, 1. What similarities does Peter show between Christ’s experience and that of these people?
Both Jesus Christ and Peter’s readers were/are chosen by God and rejected by other people.
REFLECT, 3. How does it make you feel to be chosen, royalty, and God’s possession? When is it most difficult to remember what God has made you?
We spent considerable time discussing this question, but because what we said was personal I won’t share it here.

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 1:13-2:3. Our study of it consisted of our reading the passage and Mark A. Copeland’s summary of it in his Executable Outlines (see below) and discussing the following questions: Chapter One Review Questions 13-20 and Chapter Two Review Questions 2-4 in Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/) and DIG question 1 and REFLECT question 2 on 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 in The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988). Mark Copeland gives permission to users of the website to use the material there freely, and Serendipity House gave me permission to reproduce material from it for small group use.

1 Peter 1:13-2:3 (ESV)

3 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
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.”
1 And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
2 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.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

(Chapter One)
13) Upon what are Christians to rest their hope? (13)
Christians are to rest their hope on the grace to be brought to them at the revelation of Jesus Christ. His appearance will bring blessedness and deliverance from sin and therefore should be looked forward to.
14) As obedient children, what three admonitions are given to Christians? ( 14-17)
The three admonitions given to Christians as obedient children are to not conform to their former desires, to be holy in all their conduct, and to conduct themselves in fear. See the Serendipity Bible questions below on what it means to be holy. “Fear” here doesn’t mean dread of but respect for God.
15) What three reasons are given to obey these admonitions (14-19)
The three reasons given to obey these admonitions are that God is holy, that as Father He judges impartially according to each one’s deeds (although this may refer only to the final judgment, more likely it refers to the present as well), and that they were ransomed (NIV, redeemed; purchased at a cost) with the precious blood of Christ and not with perishable things.
16) What four things are said about Christ? (20-21)
The four things said about Christ are that he was foreknown before the foundation of the world (God knew, even chose, before creation that He would send Jesus), that he was made manifest in these last times for us, that he was raised from the dead and given glory by God, and that through him we believe and have hope in God.
17) What did God do to Jesus so that our faith and hope are in God? (21)
God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory.
18) What two reasons are given for us to love one another fervently with a pure heart? (22-23)
The two reasons that are given for us to love one another fervently with a pure heart are that we have purified our souls by obeying the truth and that we have been born again through the word of God. In their notes on 1 Peter in NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2011), Donald W. Burdick and John H. Skilton explain how although the new birth comes about by the action of the Holy Spirit, the word of God also plays a part “for it presents the gospel to sinners and calls on them to repent and believe in Christ.”
19) What is said of the Word of God? (23-25)
The word of God is said to be imperishable seed, to be living and abiding, to remain forever, and to be the good news that was preached to them. Peter H. Davids points out that the word of word of God which Peter is talking about is the Gospel “as opposed to his creative word in the beginning or the words he spoke in between through the prophets” (Peter H. Davids, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The First Epistle of Peter, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1990, page 79).
20) What is said about flesh and the glory of man? (24)
Flesh is said to be like grass, and the glory of man is said to be like the flower of grass.
(Chapter Two)
2) What must we lay aside to grow spiritually? (1)
To grow spiritually we must lay aside all malice, all deceit and hypocrisy and envy, and all slander.
3) How should we long for the Word if we want to grow spiritually? (2)
If we want to grow spiritually, we should long for the Word like newborn babies crave for milk.
4) What should motivate us to desire the Word with such longing? (3)
What should motivate us to grown spiritually is that we have tasted that the Lord is good.

The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups Questions

DIG, 1. From the five commands Peter gives in verses 13-15, how would you define “holy”?
Holiness includes both separation from the world and consecration to God.
REFLECT, 1. How does Peter’s call to holiness challenge you at home? Work? Community? Church?

Conclusion

Scot McKnight sums up 1:13-25 thus: “In summary, Peter exhorts the Christians of Asia Minor to work out their salvation by building a life of ethics that is rooted in the salvation that God has given to them and is based on the holy and loving character of God” (Scot McKnight, The NIV Application Commentary: 1 Peter, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1996, page 92). He goes on to point out the importance of a Christian’s rooting his or her ethics in solid Christian theology, expanding on this in applying the passage to contemporary life (pages 92-101).

1 Peter 1:1-12

Yesterday evening the Life group which meets in my wife’s and my home continued our study of the life and writings of the apostle Peter by studying 1 Peter 1:1-12. Our study of it consisted of our reading the passage and Mark A. Copeland’s summary of it in his Executable Outlines (see below) and in discussing the following questions: the first DIG question on 1 Peter 1:1-12 in Serendipity Bible for Study Groups (Serendipity House, 1988), Review Questions 3-12 on 1 Peter Chapter One in Executable Outlines (http://executableoutlines.com/), and the three REFLECT questions on 1 Peter 1:1-12 in Serendipity Bible for Study Groups. Mark Copeland gives permission to users of the website to use the material there freely, and Serendipity House gave me permission to reproduce material from it for small group use.

1 Peter 1:1-12 (ESV)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 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. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Serendipity Bible for Study Groups DIG Questions

1. What circumstances do you think these people faced that would cause Peter to write like this? How do you account for Peter’s tone?
Since DIG, 2 was about verse 2, we limited our discussion of this question to verse 1. Drawing on a study by Scot McKnight of the meaning of “strangers” (the version of the NIV that he was commenting on has “To God’s elect, strangers in the world” instead of the ESV’s “To those who are the elect exiles of the dispersion”), I observed that it although it could be a metaphor for the Christian’s earthly existence while waiting his or her true heavenly home (the common explanation of what it means here), it could also indicate the social situation of Peter’s readers, whom McKnight describes thus: “(1) They were socially marginalized people, and (2) their faith led to an association that had no social acceptance and therefore, at the very least, exacerbated their social condition” (Scot McKnight, The NIV Application Commentary: 1 Peter, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1996, page 51). In trying to answer the second part of the question, we observed that Peter spent much of his years of ministry as a Jewish Christian living among Gentiles.

Executable Outlines Review Questions

3) What three things are said concerning their election? (2)
The three things that are said about the addressees’ election are that it was:
– according to the foreknowledge of God
– in the sanctification of the Spirit
– for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood
Note that each thing describes conversion from the angle of a different member of the Trinity.
The Father chose the addressees, the Holy Spirit set them apart, and they are to obey the gospel of Jesus Christ by whose blood they have been cleansed.
4) What has God done for us according to His abundant mercy? How was this done? (3)
According to His great mercy, God has caused us to be born again to a living hope.
He did it through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
In his comments on 1 Peter in ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Bibles, 2008), Thomas R. Schreiner says that “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” may be linked to “born again” or to “living hope” and explains that the former would mean that the new birth is possible because of Jesus’ resurrection and the latter would mean that the Christian’s hope is a future resurrection.
5) What kind of inheritance does the Christian have? Where is it now? (4)
The Christian has an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.
It is kept in heaven.
6) How are Christians kept (guarded) for their salvation? (5)
Christians are guarded for their salvation by the power of God through faith.
Thus there are two sides to Christians’ perseverance: (1) God’s power and (2) their faith.
7) In what do Christians greatly rejoice? (5-6)
Christians rejoice for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In their comments on 1 Peter in NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2011), Donald W. Burdick and John H. Skilton point out that the Bible speaks of salvation as being (1) past, when a person first believes; (2) present, in sanctification; and (3) future, as here.
8) What benefits can come out of enduring grievous trials? (6-7)
Benefits that can come out of enduring grievous trials are the testing of the genuineness of their faith and praise, glory, and honour (for them as well as for God) at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
9) Though they had not seen Jesus, what is said about Peter’s readers? (8)
Though they had not seen Jesus, Peter’s readers loved him, believed in him, and rejoiced with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.
10) What would they receive as the end of their faith? (9)
They would receive as the outcome of their faith the salvation of their souls.
11) What did the prophets of old testify about? (10-11)
The prophets of old prophesied about the salvation and grace that would come and predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
12) When these prophets wondered about they were prophesying, what were they told? (12)
When these prophets wondered about what they were prophesying, they were told that they were not serving themselves, but us (Christians), and that they were ministering things that have now been announced by those who preached the gospel. We noted that Peter says that even the angels want to look into these things. Davids notes that “the sense is not one of idle curiosity but of a longing to see the fulfillment of God’s promises” (Peter H. Davids, The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The First Epistle of Peter, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1990, page 64).

Serendipity Bible for Study Groups REFLECT Questions

1. Imagine your faith as a mountain climb, what situations in your life would be cliffhangers? Easy trails? Great views? Just walking up the path? What would you pull out of your “1 Peter pack” in these situations?
2. What aspect of your faith are you, like the prophets, struggling to know more?
3. Under what fiery circumstances has your faith become more genuine, by melting it down to essentials?