Grace Group Lesson 04/17/2024
GRC Grace Group 04/03/2024
Suffering: A Light to the World
1Pet. 2:18 ¶ Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
1Pet. 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1Pet. 2:20 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.
1Pet. 2:21 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.
1Pet. 2:22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
1Pet. 2:23 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.
1Pet. 2:24 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.
1Pet. 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Here is the key to understanding this passage and Peter's instructions to help the readers navigate their new life under the new King. The patriarchal system of Roman culture required all slaves and wives not only to obey but also to worship the gods of the head of the home. Peter knew this would create suspicion when these new believers gave their allegiance to Jesus. I don’t believe Peter is writing about work ethic but something more significant. Here is a quick review of a couple of the main points of the letter we have covered before we reread these instructions:
1Pet. 2:12 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.
The way we act becomes the observable introduction to our God and king. This is why Peter uses the imagery of both Temple and Royal Priests.
Temple: Temples are where the presence of God would come to be present for the benefit of the people.
Royal Priesthood: We now represent humanity before God. We do ministry work, serving those around us to reconcile them with their creator. How will those around us see these two spiritual pictures?
1Pet. 2:18 ¶ Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
1Pet. 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1Pet. 2:20 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.
1Pet. 2:21 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.
Twice, Peter states that when we serve those who unjustly hurt us and continue to do what is right despite their sinful actions, we are gracious to them. In verse 21, Peter states, “For this, you have been called.”
QUESTION: How does our suffering in verses 18-21 connect to giving others grace?
QUESTION: How would you apply this in your daily context?
1Pet. 3:1 ¶ Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
1Pet. 3:2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Giving grace, not responding with anger or violence, or even defending oneself, but giving respect in return is gracious. It can lead one to see your faith and lead them to faith in the King. Of course, this does not include abuse or unfaithfulness in the marriage. Paul clearly states that we practice church discipline in such cases.
Phil. 2:14 ¶ Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Phil. 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
QUESTION: How does this change the motivation for our obedience?
1Cor. 15:58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
According to the two previous passages, our lives are designed to live in suffering around us so that others may be drawn to the same salvation and freedom we enjoy now. Everyone has an equal mission regardless of age, job, gender, or influence. We can all lead others to Christ by living among the lost.
QUESTION: How does this encourage you?
QUESTION: What about this lesson bring fear or discouragement?
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1Pet. 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1Pet. 2:20 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.
1Pet. 2:21 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.
1Pet. 2:22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
1Pet. 2:23 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.
1Pet. 2:24 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.
1Pet. 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Here is the key to understanding this passage and Peter's instructions to help the readers navigate their new life under the new King. The patriarchal system of Roman culture required all slaves and wives not only to obey but also to worship the gods of the head of the home. Peter knew this would create suspicion when these new believers gave their allegiance to Jesus. I don’t believe Peter is writing about work ethic but something more significant. Here is a quick review of a couple of the main points of the letter we have covered before we reread these instructions:
1Pet. 2:12 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.
The way we act becomes the observable introduction to our God and king. This is why Peter uses the imagery of both Temple and Royal Priests.
Temple: Temples are where the presence of God would come to be present for the benefit of the people.
Royal Priesthood: We now represent humanity before God. We do ministry work, serving those around us to reconcile them with their creator. How will those around us see these two spiritual pictures?
1Pet. 2:18 ¶ Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
1Pet. 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
1Pet. 2:20 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.
1Pet. 2:21 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.
Twice, Peter states that when we serve those who unjustly hurt us and continue to do what is right despite their sinful actions, we are gracious to them. In verse 21, Peter states, “For this, you have been called.”
QUESTION: How does our suffering in verses 18-21 connect to giving others grace?
QUESTION: How would you apply this in your daily context?
1Pet. 3:1 ¶ Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
1Pet. 3:2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Giving grace, not responding with anger or violence, or even defending oneself, but giving respect in return is gracious. It can lead one to see your faith and lead them to faith in the King. Of course, this does not include abuse or unfaithfulness in the marriage. Paul clearly states that we practice church discipline in such cases.
Phil. 2:14 ¶ Do all things without grumbling or disputing,
Phil. 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
QUESTION: How does this change the motivation for our obedience?
1Cor. 15:58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
According to the two previous passages, our lives are designed to live in suffering around us so that others may be drawn to the same salvation and freedom we enjoy now. Everyone has an equal mission regardless of age, job, gender, or influence. We can all lead others to Christ by living among the lost.
QUESTION: How does this encourage you?
QUESTION: What about this lesson bring fear or discouragement?
Connect on GRC Chat Group!
- Signup for the GRC chat group in the app (top right corner)
- Leader can then search for and add you to the group chat
- What can you offer to the Father in praise?
- What is a sin you need to confess?
- What is a burden we can carry?
- What can we take to our Father in prayer?
Posted in Grace Group Lessons