1. As you pray for your study today, ask God to use His Word in your life as the writer of Hebrews prayed in Hebrews 13:20-21: “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” 2. Read 1 Peter 3:8-12 3. Peter begins 3:8 by using the word, “finally.” He was not using this word to conclude the letter as a whole, but to conclude the section he began back in 2:13 regarding submission to authority. Do you see any connection between the content of 3:8-12 and 2:13-3:7? 4. Peter lists 5 characteristics that should govern a Christian’s interpersonal relationships in 3:8. To the best of your understanding, summarize what you think each of these phrases would look like in your life:
- unity of mind
- sympathy
- brotherly love
- tender heart
- humble mind
5. STUDY NOTE: In 3:9, Peter encourages Christians to not respond to evil with evil, but to respond to evil with blessing. This is a pattern of behavior that was modeled for us by Jesus Christ, and is the most counter-cultural/supernatural part of a Christian’s ethic. Of this call, Warren Wiersbe says, “As Christians we can live on one of three levels. We can return evil for good, which is the satanic level. We can return good for good and evil for evil, which is the human level. Or, we can return good for evil, which is the divine level. Jesus is the perfect example of this latter approach.”
6. Why do you think God wants Christians to respond to evil with blessing?
7. What has God done for Christians to enable them to respond to evil with blessing?
8. Can you think of a time when evil was done to you (or someone you love)? What would it have looked like for you to respond to this evil with blessing? What might have been the outcome had you responded to evil with blessing (or what was the outcome if you did respond to evil with blessing)?
9. Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16 in 1 Peter 3:10-12. To the best of your understanding, what is Peter’s point by quoting the Psalmist here? What stands out to you about this quote? To access the entire “True Grace” study of 1 Peter, click here.