About This Guide: This weekly groups guide, “Living Hope: Words of Life for Challenging Days — Eight Weeks in First Peter,” is designed as a companion to Living Hope, our Fall 2021 teaching series, fostering discussion, study, and prayer, especially in a group setting. Join a group for a meaningful way to connect to our community.
God will lift you up
Teaching Text: 1 Peter 5:1-14
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Themes
Consider these themes and ask your group what else they see in the passage:
A vision of leaders
Power of humility
Resisting the devil
God will restore strengthen, settle establish
Presence
Thanksgiving is a season where many people prioritize time with family. To be present with each other around tables of gratitude.
Many don’t have that privilege… there are ways we can still foster human presence, which also is how God is present among his people. We are called Christ’s body, because we are his presence in our world.
Who could you serve this week and holiday season by being present? Ask someone who you know can’t be with family this week to join at your table.
Formation
Thoughts and notes you can use for discussion:
As Peter ends this letter, he is equipping. He shares some essential things for followers of Jesus about how to lead, how to be free, how to resist temptation, and how to hope.
How to lead:
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.Your qualification is what JESUS has done in you and in your life!
How to be free:
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.The freedom of humility:
He is willing to trust to Father to give what he needs.
We hear so much of humility within early Christian writing that it’s easy to forget that, until this strange movement of Jesus and his followers, nobody outside a narrow strand within the Jewish tradition had regarded it as a virtue. Something has happened to generate an entirely different way of going about things. (NT Wright)
Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less. (C.S. Lewis)
Humility is a clear recognition of what and who we are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be. (Bill Wilson)
The freedom of casting your cares:
How to resist temptation:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.Be alert and sober:
Awake and aware vs. exhausted and numbed - know we have an enemy.Resist the enemy in faith:
Look to example of Christ in this.
The word Peter uses is far more than simply ‘eat’; it implies that the lion will simply gulp you down in a single mouthful. No time to protest or struggle. You’ll be gone. (NT Wright)
How to hope:
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.Restore, strengthen, settle, establish
God says: What’s been lost I will give back, where you are weak I will make you strong, what has been shaken I will settle, what has been questioned and doubted I will establish.
Whatever you are facing GOD WILL BRING YOUR THROUGH!!!
Love
Read these notes and discuss the questions below:
This is a season where gratitude is encouraged. Gratitude is one way to cultivate contentment. Another is generosity. The disciplines of gratitude and generosity are key practices to find ourselves content. Besides for traditions of gratitude this week, where could you as an individual and as a small group practice generosity?
Pray for one another in the group.
